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‘True Blood’ stars Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer divide and conquer the Season 3 premiere

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HBO celebrated Tuesday’s world premiere of the third season of “True Blood” at Hollywood’s Boulevard 3, which was transformed into a gothic wonderland. In homage to the hit series about vampires and werewolves, the cable network’s ace event designer, Billy Butchkavitz, filled the ponds outside at the entrance with rows of giant candlesticks bearing pillar candles. Inside the cavernous club, four stuffed wolves stood guard on a stage in front of the DJ booth, and the wait staff circulated sporting black T-shirts whose backs were imprinted with the instruction, “Do bad things.”

Well, don’t ask us twice. In the VIP area, engaged stars Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer sat back to back at separate tables.

“It’s because we’re both cast members,” said the sprightly Paquin, wearing a cobalt blue and black Proenza Schouler frock. “I’m not his plus one, as it turns out. I think it’s actually so we can have our collective friend group.”

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So what’s coming up this season for your character, Sookie Stackhouse?

“We find out what Sookie is,” she said. “I can’t tell you, obviously. There’s a lot of really surprising ...

... moments, to say the least. I’m so bad at talking about what’s coming up without telling any plot points. It’s kind of hard to separate. And I don’t want to get in trouble with my boss, because I like Alan [Ball, executive producer].” We read that you’re getting married this summer. Is that true?

“Where did you read that?”

Ah, the old answering a question with a question dodge. Well done.

Behind Paquin, Moyer, who plays the smitten vampire Bill Compton, was engaged in an intense conversation with cast member Carrie Preston, who was there with her husband, “Lost’s” Michael Emerson. Vampire Alexander Skarsgard circulated among cast members’ tables, while shape-shifter Sam Trammell greeted “Damages’” Tate Donovan and posed for a photo with Ryan Kwanten, who plays Sookie’s brother.

At a table on the balcony sat Charlaine Harris, the Arkansas-based author whose bestselling series of novels, “The Southern Vampire Mysteries,” inspired “True Blood.” Harris surveyed the busy scene below and munched on Hollywood’s idea of Southern cooking — Cajun turkey meatloaf, cornbread with honey butter and mini red velvet cupcakes.

“It’s much better than the Southern food we normally eat,” she said. “It’s classier.”

So was Sookie based on anybody you know?

“Not specifically, no. But she represents a lot of Southern women, in that they overcome what they have to.”

Was Bill based on any vampires you know?

“Stephen is far more courtly than any of the vampires I know.”

— Irene Lacher

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