Season 5 is Ball’s last season as show runner! via boomtron

A big change will be coming to the HBO’s True Blood. Recently the cable network announced that its series creator, Alan Ball, will be stepping down from managing the writing and day-to-day showrunning for the hugely successful series.

 The Hollywood Reporter confirms that the American television series, which was created and produced by Ball will have to go without him for the potential sixth season. Ball will be taking a supervisory as True Blood enters its sixth season. Ball has been recognized in the industry for his writing skills, winning an Academy Award for American Beauty and an Emmy for directing the pilot episode of his HBO series Six Feet Under. The network released a statement regarding Ball’s departure, “When we extended our multiyear deal with Alan Ball in July 2011, we always intended that if we proceeded to True Blood’s sixth season that Alan would take a supervisory role on the series and not be the day-to-day showrunner. If we proceed to season six, the show will remain in the very capable hands of the talented team of writers and producers who have been with the show for a number of years.”

The adjustment in the organization will open Ball up to work on other projects such as Banshee –a crime drama picked up for a series on Cinemax. In addition to Banshee, Ball also has an hour-long medical drama in development for HBO called Wichita. The series will be about a Kansas surgeon who inadvertently finds himself the center of a political, cultural and ethical war surrounding late-term abortions. Ball will have plenty to keep him busy after he steps down from True Blood.

HBO has also stated that “this is the best possible world for both HBO and Alan Ball,” and although he will remain available to the network as executive producer to consult and advise on the show, will True Blood be the same without him?

The departure of Ball seems to be a mutual decision. His final words for fans; “True Blood has been, and will continue to be, a highlight of not only my career but my life. Because of the fantastic cast, writers, producers and crew, with whom I have been lucky enough to work these past five years, I know I could step back and the show will continue to thrive as I look forward to new and exciting ventures.”

This really comes as no surprise to me…I expected it ever since he started on Banshee.