Alexander Skarsgard portrayed the Viking Vampire sheriff of area 5 , Eric Northman in True Blood. This series is based on the Southern Vampire books written by Charlaine Harris. The show followed Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic barmaid from Bon Temps, Louisiana. It ran for 7 seasons on HBO, ending in August 2014. At the height of its success True Blood became HBO’s 2nd most viewed show after The Sopranos. (It still holds 3rd place after Game of Thrones).  Audience figures often surpassed 10m in the US alone (taking into account on-line HBO viewing). Season 4 (the season of Sookie & Eric) saw the highest individual episode ratings. Alan Ball left as show-runner at the end of Season 5, and writer Brian Buckner took the helm for the final 2 seasons.

The role of Eric Northman is Alexander’s most famous role to date and has made him a huge star all over the world. From an initially supporting role, Eric became one of the 3 show leads along with Sookie (Anna Paquin) and Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer). When it looked as though the character may have been killed off at the end of Season 6 , the fans were in uproar, threatening to boycott the following season. Brian Buckner soon put everyone at ease by confirming Eric would be returning in Season 7. Although many fans and critics alike were disappointed/frustrated by the show’s finale, all agreed that True Blood would always have a special place in their hearts for giving the world Eric Northman and introducing a wider audience to the talents of Alexander Skarsgard.

The complete 7 seasons box set of True Blood is now available on DVD and Blu-Ray.

 

PRINCIPLE CAST

Anna Paquin – Sookie Stackhouse

Stephen Moyer – Bill Compton

Alexander Skarsgard – Eric Northman

Sam Trammell – Sam Merlotte

Rutina Wesley – Tara Thornton

Ryan Kwanten – Jason Stackhouse

Nelsan Ellis – Lafayette Reynolds

Joe Manganiello – Alcide Herveaux

Kristin Bauer Van Straten – Pamela de Beaufort

Deborah Ann Woll – Jessica Hamby

Chris Bauer – Andy Bellefleur

Carrie Fisher – Arlene Fowler

SEASON 1

The main storyline centers around the murders of young women in Bon Temps, who seem to be connected to Sookie Stackhouse’s brother Jason. Sookie and Jason’s grandmother also becomes a victim. Sookie meets and falls for local vampire Bill Compton. As a telepath she finds comfort in the fact that she cannot hear vampires thoughts. Sookie meets Viking Vampire Eric Northman when she visits his nightclub “Fangtasia” whilst trying to clear her brother’s name in relation to the murders.

SEASON 2

Eric Northman enlists Sookie Stackhouse to travel to Dallas to help locate his missing maker Godric. Jason Stackhouse joins The Fellowship Of The Sun, an anti-vampire Christian organisation. Eric tricks Sookie into drinking his blood and she begins to dream about him. Godric informs Eric that he has had enough of living as a vampire and wishes to meet the sun. Back in Bon Temps, the towns people have to deal with an ancient maenad.

SEASON 3

Eric Northman looks to seek his revenge on 3000 year old vampire Russell Edgington, who murdered his human family 1000 years ago. Eric, Sookie and Bill all find each other staying at Russell’s mansion. Jason Stackhouse becomes involved with local girl Crystal Norris from Hotshot. Sookie learns of her fairy heritage. Sookie and Eric share their first real kiss. After Bill buries him in a pit of cement, Eric escapes and tells Sookie about the true reason Bill returned to Bon Temps.

SEASON 4

Eric Northman is spelled by a group of witches and in his amnesic state is picked up by Sookie from the side of the road. She agrees to take care of him and they become lovers. When Eric gets his memories back, he tells Sookie he still loves her, but she advises him they can’t stay together as she also still loves Bill. Jason is kidnapped by the residents of Hotshot. There is tragedy for  Lafayette and his boyfriend Jesus. Tara risks her life to save Sookie.

SEASON 5

Eric and Bill find themselves prisoners of the vampire authority, where Eric is reunited with his vampire sister Nora. Russell Edgington returns and Eric seeks his final revenge. Sookie and Jason learn their parents were murdered by a vampire called Warlow. In flashacks, we see how Eric met Pam. Tara becomes Pam’s unwilling progeny. Eric rescues Nora from the authority. Bill drinks Lilith’s blood and becomes a vampire god.

SEASON 6

Eric goes up against Governor Burrell, and turns his daughter Willa into a vampire. Eric and the other vampires are held in Vamp Camp, where Nora is injected with a lethal does of Hep V. Eric seeks his revenge by destroying Vamp Camp. Sookie meets the mysterious Warlow. Sam and Alcide fight over Emma’s future.

SEASON 7

After a 6 month search Pam finds Eric in France, where he is suffering from Hep V. He returns home to seek revenge on Sarah Newlin, for Nora’s death. Bill also becomes infected with Hep V. Eric manages to obtain a cure, but Bill refuses to take it and makes the decision to meet the true death. Eric and Pam go head to head with Mr Gus and after defeating him, they take over his company. We see how Eric and Pam came to Fangtasia and Ginger finally gets her man. Eric ends the series sitting on his Fangtasia throne, exactly where he started.

Alexander Skarsgard & Anna Paquin graced the cover of one edition of “Entertainment Weekly” on June 24 2011. Their version was voted the best True Blood cover by readers and visitors to the EW website.

And here is quite possibly the sexiest promo in history ever!

And some True Blood interviews to help us remember the great times on the show.

EPISODES FEATURING ALEXANDER SKARSGARD

– Thank You (2014) … Eric Northman