HIT HBO SERIES "TRUE BLOOD" KICKS OFF SIXTH SEASON JUNE 16

The Authority is in flames. TruBlood is in short supply. As Bill comes to terms with his newfound powers after emerging reincarnated from a pool of blood, humans are in open conflict with vampires like never before. Meanwhile, Sookie and Jason must steel themselves for an encounter with their parents' killer: the mysterious and ancient Warlow.

The hit series TRUE BLOOD kicks off its ten-episode sixth season SUNDAY, JUNE 16 (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 a world where vampires and humans co-exist, after 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 waitress and part-faerie Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), who can hear people's thoughts, vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) and vampire Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgård). Alan Ball (creator of the Emmy(R)-winning HBO series "Six Feet Under") created the show, which is based on the bestselling Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris.

Other returning cast members on TRUE BLOOD include: Ryan Kwanten as Sookie's trouble-prone brother, Jason Stackhouse; Rutina Wesley as Pam's newly-turned progeny, Tara Thornton; Sam Trammell as Sookie's shape-shifting boss, Sam Merlotte; Nelsan Ellis as Tara's clairvoyant sharp-tongued cousin, Lafayette Reynolds; Carrie Preston as Arlene Bellefleur, a Merlotte's waitress; Todd Lowe as Terry Bellefleur; Chris Bauer as Terry's cousin, sheriff Andy Bellefleur; Deborah Ann Woll as Jessica Hamby, Bill's vampire progeny; Kristin Bauer van Straten as Pam, Eric's vampire progeny and business partner; Lauren Bowles as Holly, a Merlotte's waitress; Joe Manganiello as werewolf Alcide; Michael McMillian as vampire Steve Newlin; Lucy Griffiths as Nora, a former chancellor of the Vampire Authority; Kelly Overton as werewolf Rikki; and Anna Camp as anti-vampire crusader Sarah Newlin.

New cast members for season six include: Arliss Howard as La. Governor Truman Burrell; Rob Kazinsky as Ben, a stranger with faerie ties; Rutger Hauer as Niall, a faerie grandfather; Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Nicole, a pro-vampire activist; and Amelia Rose-Blaire as Truman Burrell's daughter, Willa.

June's episodes:

Episode #61: "Who Are You, Really?"

Debut: SUNDAY, JUNE 16 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)

Other HBO playdates: June 16 (11:00 p.m.), 17 (11:00 p.m.), 18 (11:00 p.m.), 19 (10:00 p.m.) and 20 (12:30 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: June 17 (10:00 p.m.), 21 (11:00 p.m.) and 23 (6:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m.), and July 5 (9:00 p.m.)

In the wake of Bill's (Stephen Moyer) blood-soaked reincarnation, Sookie (Anna Paquin), Eric (Alexander Skarsgård), Jason (Ryan Kwanten), Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll), Tara (Rutina Wesley), Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten) and Nora (Lucy Griffiths) flee the Authority compound as Sam (Sam Trammell), Luna (Janina Gavankar) and Emma (Chloe Noelle) dodge swarming guards. Now packmaster, Alcide (Joe Manganiello) discovers that the job comes with unsavory side dishes, but other major perks. In Bon Temps, Andy (Chris Bauer) deals with parenting four newborn human-faerie hybrids. Meanwhile, Louisiana Governor Truman Burrell (Arliss Howard) vows open season on vampires. Jessica returns to Compton Place as Jason hitches a ride with an eerie stranger.

Written by Raelle Tucker; directed by Stephen Moyer.

Episode #62: "The Sun"

Debut: SUNDAY, JUNE 23 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: June 23 (11:00 p.m.), 24 (11:45 p.m.), 25 (11:00 p.m.) 26 (10:00 p.m.) and 27 (12:30 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: June 24 (10:00 p.m.), 28 (11:00 p.m.) and 30 (2:30 p.m., 8:00 p.m.), and July 5 (10:00 p.m.)

A long-lost relative reveals himself to Jason and Sookie. After Tara is victimized by a new government weapon, Eric takes matters into his own hands in an effort to thwart Burrell's anti-vampire initiatives. On the road to work, Sookie is drawn to a handsome stranger who shares her faerie abilities. Sam is unnerved by supernatural-rights zealot Nicole (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), and is confronted by Alcide and Martha (Dale Dickey) about Emma's future. Bill contemplates the scope of his heightened powers.

Written by Angela Robinson; directed by Dan Attias.

Episode #63: "You're No Good"

Debut: SUNDAY, JUNE 30 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: June 30 (11:00 p.m.) and July 1 (11:00 p.m.), 2 (11:00 p.m.), 3 (10:00 p.m.) and 4 (12:30 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: July 1 (9:30 p.m.), 5 (11:00 p.m.) and 7 (2:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m.)

Irate over Burrell's blatant aggression towards vampires, Eric takes matters into his own hands. After dangerously testing the limits of his powers, Bill enlists a TruBlood innovator to synthesize a new type of blood - but has difficulty finding the right donor. Sookie begins to learn why Warlow is after her. Sam receives unexpected help from Nicole and her Vampire Unity Society (V.U.S.) associates. Steve Newlin (Michael McMillian) finds his past ideals turning into a current nightmare.

Written by Mark Hudis; directed by Howard Deutch.

"True Blood: The Complete Fifth Season" was released on DVD and Blu-ray May 21.

For more on the series, visit facebook.com/trueblood and twitter.com/TrueBloodHBO #trueblood

TRUE BLOOD was created by Alan Ball; based on the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris; executive producers, Alan Ball, Brian Buckner, Gregg Fienberg, Mark Hudis,Alexander Woo and Raelle Tucker; co-executive producers, Angela Robinson and Rob DesHotel; supervising producer, Robin Veith; co-producer, Christina Jokanovich.