True Blood's Showrunner Shakeup: Alan Ball's Replacement Steps Down

True Bloodshowrunner Mark Hudis, who took over the job from creator Alan Ball in May, has now been replaced by writer-producer Brian Buckner, The Hollywood Reporterreports.
"Mark Hudis has stepped down as showrunner of True Blood to focus on development under his overall deal with the network," an HBO spokesperson said in a statement, referring to Hudis' two-year deal with the network.

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Hudis joined True Blood as co-executive producer for Season 4 and was promoted to showrunner when Ball left before the upcoming sixth season. As for the direction he wanted to take the series, Hudis said Season 6 would focus more on Bon Temps, rather than the more expanded world the fifth season explored. New showrunner Buckner has been with True Blood since its inception. His other credits include The Classand Friends.