At the conclusion of season three of "True Blood," vampire king Russell Edgington was buried alive in a pit of concrete, apparently ending his plans for world domination. But what happened to Sookie, who disappeared into a flash of light? Will Bill be able to make things right after breaking Sookie's heart? And what awaits Eric, who nearly joined Russell in limbo?

The Emmy-nominated "True Blood" kicks off its 12-episode fourth season Sunday, June 26 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO, followed by other new episodes on subsequent Sundays at the same time. Mixing romance, suspense, mystery and humor, the show takes place in the not-too-distant future, when vampires have come out of the coffin, thanks to the invention of mass-produced synthetic blood that means they no longer need humans as a nutritional source.



The series 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). Alan Ball (creator of the Emmy-winning HBO series "Six Feet Under") created and executive produces the show, which is based on the best-selling Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris.

Other returning cast regulars on "True Blood" include Ryan Kwanten as Sookie's trouble-prone brother Jason Stackhouse; Rutina Wesley as her best friend Tara Thornton; Sam Trammell as Sookie's shape-shifting boss Sam Merlotte; Nelsan Ellis as Tara's sharp-tongued cousin Lafayette Reynolds; Chris Bauer as detective Andy Bellefleur; Carrie Preston as Arlene Fowler, a Merlotte's waitress; Todd Lowe as Andy's cousin Terry Bellefleur; Jim Parrack as Jason's friend Hoyt Fortenberry; Alexander Skarsgard as vampire sheriff Eric Northman; Deborah Ann Woll as teen vamp Jessica Hamby; Kristin Bauer van Straten as Eric's vampire sidekick Pam; Marshall Allman as Sam's brother Tommy Mickens; Joe Manganiello as werewolf Alcide; Lauren Bowles as Holly, a Merlotte's waitress; Kevin Alejandro as Lafayette's boyfriend Jesus; and Jessica Tuck as vampire spokesperson Nan Flanagan.

Other returning cast members include Evan Rachel Wood as Sophie-Anne, the Vampire Queen of Louisiana; Lindsay Pulsipher as Crystal, a werepanther with ties to Jason; Dale Raoul as Maxine Fortenberry, Hoyt's mother; and Adina Porter as Lettie Mae Thornton, Tara's mother.

New cast regulars in season four include Janina Gavankar as Luna, a shape-shifter who catches Sam's eye, and Fiona Shaw as Marnie, a witch whose agenda threatens the vampire establishment.

Other new cast members include Courtney Ford as lawyer Portia Bellefleur, Andy's sister; Vedette Lim as Tara's new friend Naomi; Alexandra Breckenridge as Katerina, one of Marnie's followers; and Gary Cole as Earl Stackhouse.

In the season premiere, Sookie (Anna Paquin) journeys away from Bon Temps; Eric (Alexander Skarsgard) and Bill (Stephen Moyer) try to win back the human public; Jason (Ryan Kwanten) learns that no good deed goes unpunished; Tara (Rutina Wesley) finds refuge in close quarters; Sam (Sam Trammell) bonds with his own; Hoyt (Jim Parrack) and Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) debate the dinner menu; Jesus (Kevin Alejandro) urges Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) to join a coven; and Terry (Todd Lowe) tries to alleviate Arlene's (Carrie Preston) fears about the baby.

"True Blood" was created by Alan Ball; based on the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris; executive producers, Alan Ball and Gregg Fienberg; co-executive producers, Brian Buckner, Mark Hudis, Raelle Tucker, Nancy Oliver and Alexander Woo; associate producer, Christina Jokanovich.