True Blood Taps Mark Hudis to Succeed Alan Ball as Showrunner

True Bloodwill be in familiar hands should the show get renewed for a sixth season: Co-executive producer Mark Hudis will succeed Alan Ball as showrunner, TVGuide.com has confirmed.

As Deadline.com first reported, Hudis signed an overall deal with HBO that would see him promoted to executive producer and showrunner for the potential Season 6. His deal also includes the possibility of developing new series. Hudis, whose other credits include Nurse Jackieand That '70s Show, joined True Blood in Season 4.

Alan Ball steps down as showrunner of True Blood for Season 6

In February, Ball announced that he would only continue on True Blood in a supervisory role if the show was renewed. Ball, who continued to run the HBO series during its upcoming fifth season, is also developing Bansheeat Cinemax.

True Blood will return for its fifth season on Sunday, June 10 at 9/8c on HBO.