Top 10 True Blood Stars: Where Are They Now?

#10: Kristin Bauer van Straten

Before her role as Pamela Swynford De Beaufort, Kristin was perhaps best known for her role on “Seinfeld” as Jerry’s girlfriend Gillian, AKA the woman with “man hands” … despite nearly two decades’ worth of work. During “True Blood's” run, she also appeared in “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” and has since appeared in Amazon’s “Lore.” But perhaps her meatiest role was that of Maleficent in “Once Upon a Time,” in seasons one and four. For 2018, Kristin provided the voice of Killer Frost in “Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay.” In short, Kristin Bauer van Straten has outgrown her man-hand fame.

#9: Chris Bauer

Before his time as Andy, Chris Bauer was best known for his role as Fred Yokas on NBC’s “Third Watch,” although he also played Frank Sobotka on “The Wire”. It's a tough call fame-wise. But Chris has remained active on television since the conclusion of ‘True Blood,” having starred in “American Crime Story,” “Survivor’s Remorse,” and “Law & Order True Crime.” He also reunited with “The Wire” creator David Simon for “The Deuce,” a show about the Golden Age of Pornography in the drug-fueled 1970s. In 2019 he played Kurch in “A Dog’s Way Home”, a family film that proves there's more to Bauer than blood, violence, and porno.

#8: Rutina Wesley

Unlike Kristin and Chris, “True Blood” was Rutina Wesley’s first major acting role, and only her third credited role in general. The first was a step dancing movie called “How She Move” and the second was an episode of “Numb3rs.” Rutina has enjoyed a prosperous career in television since the conclusion of “True Blood.” She landed recurring roles in both “Hannibal” and “Arrow,” and she appeared in one episode of “The Walking Dead.” Since 2016 she has played the role of Nova on “Queen Sugar”, and this role has earned her a Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series.

#7: Deborah Ann Woll

Since leaving Jessica Hamby behind her, Deborah Ann Woll has become an integral part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe – at least on the small screen – having appeared as Karen Page in “Daredevil,” “The Punisher,” and “The Defenders.” However, film has not eluded her either, and she has appeared in a number of films including 2019's “Escape Room”, psychological horror movie. She's also made use of her Dungeons & Dragons nerdery, appearing as a guest player on “Critical Role,” and serving as the Dungeon Master on Geek & Sundry’s “Relics and Rarities.”

#6: Sam Trammell

He was an accomplished stage actor long before he appeared as Sam Merlotte. Sam Trammell starred in many Off-Broadway productions, and in 1998 he was nominated for a Tony for his role in“Ah, Wilderness!” Like most “True Blood” alumnus, Sam has continued in television since the show concluded in 2014. He appeared in four episodes of “This Is Us” and landed the role of Eric on Netflix’s horror show “The Order.” Trammel was also cast in upcoming miniseries “Reckoning,” and in 2019 he starred in “Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase”. He may have starved himself for “True Blood” nude scenes, but he hasn't gone hungry since the series ended.

#5: Ryan Kwanten

Before moving to the United States and landing the role of Jackson, Ryan Kwanten starred in the popular Australian soap opera “Home and Away.” On it, he played a lifeguard named Vinnie Patterson, and he appeared in over 200 episodes between 1997 and 2002. He eventually left the show on his own accord, wanting to move onto bigger and better things. Needless to say, he certainly did that. Since the conclusion of “True Blood,” Ryan has bounced between film and TV before landing the starring role of Steve Hammond on “The Oath” and the show’s second season began its run in February 2019.

#4: Carrie Preston

Arlene Fowler was just one of dozens of characters that Carrie Preston has played over the years. She is an accomplished film, TV, and stage actor, having appeared in “Hamlet,” “Lost,” and “My Best Friend’s Wedding.” That hasn't changed with “True Blood” ending. She's since landed recurring roles on “The Good Fight” and most recently “Brockmire” as Elle in 2018. That year also saw here appear as a guest judge in an episode of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” But post-Blood high point might just be in 2016 when her work on “The Good Wife” officially became an Emmy nominated role, to say nothing of her lead role on “Claws”.

#3: Alexander Skarsgård

Yeah, Eric Northman was cool and all, but Skarsgård's post-Blood character Perry Wright on “Big Little Lies” is where it’s really at. His performance garnered immense amounts of critical acclaim, and he went on to win the SAG, Critics’ Choice Award, a Golden Globe, and an Emmy. He also starred in the potential – but ultimately lacking – star vehicle “The Legend of Tarzan”. In 2018 he starred alongside Michael Shannon in the BBC One spy drama “The Little Drummer Girl,” and he is set to star in the expected mega-blockbuster “Godzilla vs. Kong” in 2020.

#2: Stephen Moyer

Stephen Moyer was perhaps the breakout star of “True Blood.” While he had acted in many shows, TV movies, and films throughout the years, it was Bill Compton that finally garnered him some recognition. His time on the show also seemed to make him a happier person, as he married his co-star Anna Paquin in 2010. As for professional work, Stephen landed starring roles in “The Bastard Executioner” and “Shots Fired”. In 2017 he starred as Reed Strucker in “The Gifted”, an X-Men themed series which wrapped in February of 2019.

#1: Anna Paquin

If Stephen Moyer was the breakout star of “True Blood,” Anna Paquin was the draw. She had quite the reputation going in, being the second-youngest person to ever win an Academy Award – which she did at just 11 years of age. Anna has continued in strong roles, such as Nancy Montgomery in the CBC adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s “Alias Grace.” Anna has also starred in the shows “Bellevue” and “Flack,” and she even landed a role in Martin Scorsese’s Netflix extravaganza “The Irishman.” Where she plays Robert De Niro’s daughter, Peggy Sheeran. In short, Anna Paquin is doing just fine.