HBO has gotten around to officially renewing their hit TV series, True Blood. The vampire show remains a big winner for the cable channel and series creator Alan Ball recently signed a multi-year deal with HBO. Word is that Ball’s only committed to True Blood as showrunner through the end of season five. At that point, he can decide to either stay with the series in his same role or step back and work on new concepts.

Here’s the press release about the renewal from HBO:

HBO RENEWS HIT SERIES “TRUE BLOOD” FOR FIFTH SEASON

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 11, 2011 – HBO has renewed the hit show TRUE BLOOD for a 12-episode fifth season, it was announced today by Michael Lombardo, president, HBO Programming. Created by Alan Ball, the series will begin production of new episodes later this year in Los Angeles, with debut set for summer 2012.

“I am thrilled that TRUE BLOOD continues to enjoy a phenomenal reception from both subscribers and critics,” noted Lombardo. “Alan Ball and his gifted team have devised the greatest thrill ride on TV.”

“I remain amazed and delighted by the enthusiasm of our viewers,” says Ball. “I can’t imagine having more fun than this.”

Mixing romance, suspense, mystery and humor, the Emmy(R)-nominated show takes place at a time when vampires have come out of the coffin, and follows the on-and-off romance between waitress and part-faerie Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), who can hear people’s thoughts, and 173-year-old vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer). Series creator Alan Ball (creator of the Emmy(R)-winning HBO series “Six Feet Under”) is also an executive producer of the show, which is based on the bestselling Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris.

The 12-episode fourth season of TRUE BLOOD, which launched June 26, has inspired critical raves, with USA Today calling it “exuberantly entertaining,” as well as hailing the “superb crew of writers and actors,” while the Washington Post called the show “a rollicking good scream” and “addictive.”

TRUE BLOOD recently received four Emmy(R) nominations, including Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (Alfre Woodard).

Season four credits: TRUE BLOOD was created by Alan Ball; based on the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris; executive producers, Alan Ball, Gregg Fienberg; co-executive producers, Brian Buckner, Mark Hudis, Nancy Oliver, Raelle Tucker, Alexander Woo; co-producer, Christina Jokanovich.

What do you think? Are you glad that True Blood’s been renewed? Do you like the direction that the TV series is going in? Are you a fan of the books as well?

Image courtesy HBO.