True Blood: Creator Won’t Be Showrunner for Season Six

If HBO renews True Blood for a sixth season (which seems likely at this point), creator Alan Ball won’t be the showrunner. He’ll remain an executive producer on the show but won’t be involved in the day-to-day workings. A potential replacement for season six hasn’t been mentioned.

As part of last year’s overall deal, Ball will be working on new projects for HBO and Cinemax, including a new crime drama called Banshee. Cinemax recently ordered 10 episodes. Ball also has a medical drama, Wichita, in development at HBO. It revolves around a Kansas surgeon who becomes the focal point of controversy surrounding late-term abortions.

Ball has hinted about stepping away from True Blood for awhile, siting that he felt tired and that his excitement for the series was running out. Season five is expected to air this summer and will have a dozen episodes.

Here are the official statements from HBO and Ball:

HBO: “When we extended our multi-year overall 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. This is the best possible world for both HBO and Alan Ball. Alan will remain available as executive producer to consult and advise on True Blood and he will be free to develop new shows for both HBO and Cinemax. Banshee, on which Alan serves as executive producer, is the first in house series for Cinemax and is expected to begin production this spring.”

Alan Ball: “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.”

What do you think? Should True Blood be renewed for a sixth season without Ball at the helm? Is it just time for the show to be cancelled or do you think it could get even better?