True Blood season 4

Production

Season four started filming in Los Angeles on December 1, 2010. The second episode, "You Smell Like Dinner," got an early release on HBO Go a week ahead of its normal air date. Experts think that early drop, plus the July 4th holiday, caused a big ratings slump for that episode. The ninth episode, "Let's Get Out of Here," became the series' all-time most-watched, pulling in 5.53 million viewers.

Cast and characters

Anna Paquin portrays Sookie Stackhouse, with Stephen Moyer as Bill Compton and Alexander Skarsgård as Eric Northman. Sam Trammell plays Sam Merlotte, Ryan Kwanten is Jason Stackhouse, and Rutina Wesley appears as Tara Thornton. Kevin Alejandro plays Jesus Velasquez, Marshall Allman is Tommy Mickens, and Chris Bauer portrays Andy Bellefleur. Kristin Bauer van Straten appears as Pamela Swynford De Beaufort, Lauren Bowles as Holly Cleary, and Nelsan Ellis as Lafayette Reynolds.

Janina Gavankar plays Luna Garza, Todd Lowe is Terry Bellefleur, and Joe Manganiello portrays Alcide Herveaux. Jim Parrack appears as Hoyt Fortenberry, Carrie Preston as Arlene Fowler Bellefleur, and Fiona Shaw as Marnie Stonebrook. Jessica Tuck plays Nan Flanagan, Deborah Ann Woll is Jessica Hamby, and Brit Morgan portrays Debbie Pelt. Lois Smith appears as Adele Stackhouse, Adina Porter as Lettie Mae Daniels, and Evan Rachel Wood as Sophie-Anne Leclerq.

Gary Cole plays Earl Stackhouse, Dean Chekvala is Roy, and Fiona Dourif appears as Casey. Paola Turbay portrays Antonia Gavilán de Logroño, Dale Raoul as Maxine Fortenberry, and Courtney Ford as Portia Bellefleur. Vedette Lim plays Naomi, Brendan McCarthy is Nate, and Chloe Noelle appears as Emma Garza. Alexandra Breckenridge portrays Katerina Pelham, Nondumiso Tembe is Mavis, and Tara Buck appears as Ginger.

Dane DeHaan plays Timbo, Alec Gray is Coby Fowler, and Lindsay Pulsipher portrays Crystal Norris. James Harvey Ward plays Felton Norris, Laurel Weber is Lisa Fowler, and Del Zamora appears as Don Bartolo. Chris Butler plays Emory, J. Smith-Cameron is Melinda Mickens, and Christina Moore portrays Susanne McKittrick. Lara Pulver appears as Claudine, Chris Coy as Barry Horowitz, and Scott Foley as Patrick Devins.

Katherine Helmond plays Caroline Bellefleur, Neil Hopkins is Claude, and Allan Hyde appears as Godric. Michael McMillian portrays Reverend Steve Newlin, Michael Raymond-James is Rene Lenier, and John Rezig appears as Deputy Kevin Ellis. Rebecca Wisocky plays Queen Mab.