Mark Hudis Steps Down As ‘True Blood’ Showrunner, Brian Buckner Replaces Him

Mark Hudis’ tenure as True Blood showrunner was a short one. Hudis, who succeeded True Blood creator Alan Ball at the helm of the HBO vampire drama at the beginning of Season 6, is stepping down, with co-executive producer Brian Buckner taking over as new showrunner. Hudis was a somewhat surprising choice when he was named Ball’s successor as he only joined True Blood in Season 4. Meanwhile, Buckner, who had been considered a leading candidate for the job, had been with the show since after the pilot. Rumors about a potential showrunner change on True Blood started circulating early this year, though such a move is very rarely made while a series is in production as it indicates urgency; showrunner changeovers usually happen between seasons. True Blood is still early in production of Season 6, with episode 4 currently filming, so the “righting of the ship” is being done with most of the episodes yet to be filmed. There will be no stop in production during the transition. Hudis’ appointment as True Blood showrunner was part of an overall deal he signed with HBO last spring. He will now “focus on development under his overall deal,” the network said.

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