[The Franchise]

From the Wikipedia page.

Production

True Blood was officially renewed for a fifth season on August 11, 2011.[2]

In February, 2012 it was announced that creator Alan Ball would be stepping down as showrunner at the end of the fifth season. Ball will continue on as executive producer in a more advisory role and leave the day-to-day production of the series to others.[3] "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," said Ball in a statement.[3]

Series co-star Stephen Moyer will make his directorial debut with the eighth episode of season five, tentatively titled "Somebody That I Used to Know."[4] D.E.B.S. writer/director and former The L Word producer Angela Robinson has joined the writing staff. She will write episodes five and eleven.[5]

Series co-star Rutina Wesley confirmed that the character Tara would be returning.[6]

Short Episode 1 Synopsis:

Spoiler!

Lafayette helps Sookie clean up the dead bodies of Debbie and Tara. Meanwhile, Bill and Eric are confronted by the Vampire Authority, one of whom is the vampiress Nora (a woman from Eric's past), about Nan Flanagan. In search of the missing Marcus, Alcide's wolf pack go after Sam; Jason is also confronted by the recently turned Steve Newlin; Terry meets up with his old friend from the Iraq war. Sookie learns about Russel Edgington's return.