If you haven't watched True Blood yet, you're basically missing out on the ultimate swampy, supernatural fever dream. Honestly, if this is the kind of show that could slow down, they just decided to completely ignore that option because it was like it just exploded off the bat.The show introduces us to Bon Temps, which is a pretty little town, though quite small and a bit muggy, located in Louisiana, and there are secrets there that are as thick as the heat that you will certainly experience once you get there. Everything about the town feels messy and dangerous, and honestly, this is why the show feels like such a guilty pleasure to watch.Back in 2008, when True Blood first aired on HBO, it changed lives (mine) and it also changed the game for when it came to adapting vampires into pop culture. The show was based on the books written by Charlaine Harris, but the creator of the show, Alan Ball, made the show completely unique right from the get-go. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostThe story we see on our screens wasn't just about vampires and the blood they suck from their fangs, nor was it just about the romanticism of eternal life with your specific person. It was about how humans act when something totally supernatural and impossible, like vampires coming out of their coffins, becomes real.The show deals with themes like hate, faith, and most importantly, wanting to belong, but it deals with these themes with a lot of blood (obviously). However, with all of this being said, even if the plot slaps, the cast members are the real ones who have actually made this show the hit that it is today, and they're the ones who make this weird town feel like a place you actually know.True Blood Season 1 cast and characters: Here’s who brought the HBO supernatural drama to life1) Anna Paquin as Sookie Stackhouse:First up is Sookie Stackhouse, played by Anna Paquin. Sookie is, without any single ounce of doubt, the absolute heart of the entire show. In the show True Blood, Sookie works as a waitress at a local bar named Merlotte's, but has a "disability" which turns out to be a superpower. It's actually that she can hear the thoughts of everyone around her, as she is a human/Faerie hybrid (a "halfling").I mean, just think of yourself being 25 and knowing every nasty or evil thing people think about you. Definitely, that's the reason why she considers herself a loner in her own town, because it makes her sad.Anna Paquin can't be more perfect in the role of Sookie as she brings the character to life not only as a lovely one but also really strong at the same time. In Season 1 of True Blood, everything changes when Sookie crosses paths with Bill Compton. He's a vampire, and for some odd reason, his mind is just....silent.For Sookie, that's the most romantic and important thing ever. She finally gets some peace and quiet. And as a character who is not a damsel in distress and is a good person, she makes use of her mind-reading power to help those in need to sort out their problems.Anna Paquin is also known for: The Piano & Trick 'r Treat2) Stephen Moyer as Bill Compton:Bill Compton is the vampire who basically sets off the chain of events on True Blood. He isn't the scary type of vampire from the old movies. Bill shows the complete opposite behavior because he treats people with respect, takes care to appear neat, and actually wants to fit in with the rest of society.He drinks "Tru Blood," which isan artificial blood substitute that allows him to survive without needing to kill people through blood extraction (Think of Stefan Salvatore and Edward Cullen in an alternate reality).Bill presents himself as a person who takes everything very seriously. He fights against his inner darkness every day, which causes his face to show his intense inner battle. He wants to be the good guy for Sookie, but his nature as a predator remains unchanged when the day ends.Stephen Moyer brings Bill to life through his old-fashioned appearance and his enigmatic character. The character shows both strong defensive behavior toward Sookie and simultaneously makes multiple dangerous choices, which lead to harmful situations.His imperfect nature makes him an interesting character to watch on True Blood. The man stands as a simple vampire who attempts to make up for his unalterable past events.Stephen Moyer is also known for: Art Detectives & The Forsytes3) Sam Trammell as Sam Merlotte:Then there is Sam Merlotte, played by Sam Trammell. He owns the bar where everyone seems to hang out, so he's basically the center of the towns' social life. Sam is the sort of person who is always with you when you need him, but it is also very obvious that he is quite busy hiding something big.It is known that he is a shapeshifter; however, in the first season of True Blood, he doesn't reveal this to anyone.In fact, Sam is the one who is head over heels in love with Sookie, and the way he handles his jealousy in the presence of Bill is quite heartbreaking to watch. He's very protective of his friends, which is the reason why fans love him.Sam Trammell is the kind of person who plays the role that gives you the feeling that you just want to put your arms around him. He is the "good guy" who actually has a lot more layers besides just being the one who is in love with the main character of the show, which is quite common in most cases.Sam Trammell is also known for: I Am Wrath & The Fault in Our Stars4) Rutina Wesley as Tara Thornton:If you want someone to tell you things like it is, you go to Tara. Played by Rutina Wesley, Tara is Sookie's best friend, and she is a total firecracker. She's had a really hard life because of her mom, and she uses her anger like a shield. She's sarcastic, smart, sharp, and she does not ever trust anyone, especially vampires.Wesley is incredible because she lets you see the hurt that Tars holds. Tara is just a girl who has been let down by everyone, so she's always waiting for the next bad thing to happen. Her friendship with Sookie is one of the best parts of True Blood because it's full of love and loyalty.Tara might be a messy character on True Blood, but she is one of the most honest people in Bon Temps.Rutina Wesley is also known for: Queen Sugar & The Last of Us5) Ryan Kwanten as Jason Stackhouse:Jason is Sookie's brother, and honestly? He's kind of a mess. Ryan Kwanten plays him as this gorgeous guy who literally never ever thinks before he acts. In Season 1 of True Blood, Jason ends up getting into this huge pit because the women he's been with start turning up dead. Everyone in town thinks he's the killer, and Jason is too confused and stressed out to prove them wrong.Jason is a bit of a himbo on True Blood, but he's also actually really vulnerable. He just wants to be liked, and he wants to feel important, which leads him down some dark paths, including a scary addiction to vampire blood called V.Jason is, at times, pretty hilarious, and he's also someone you'd end up feeling bad for. He's like a lost puppy who keeps accidentally walking into traffic. I mean, you want to root for the guy even when he's being an absolute idiot.Ryan Kwanten is also known for: Dead Silence & Section Eight View this post on Instagram Instagram Post6) Nelsan Ellis as Lafayette ReynoldsWe have to talk about Lafayette. Played by Nelsan Ellis, Lafayette is easily the coolest character on True Blood. He works in the kitchen at Merlotte's, but he also has about five different side hustles. He is unapologetically himself. He wears makeup, has an amazing jewelry game, and has the best one-liners on the show.Lafayette is someone who does not take trash talk from anyone. If someone comes into the bar being a bigot, he shuts them down instantly. He's also extremely caring.He looks out for his cousin Tara and even helps Jason out when he's in trouble. Nelsan Ellis brought so much style and heart to his character on True Blood that you cannot help but love him.Nelsan Ellis is also known for: Get On Up & True to the Game7) Chris Bauer as Andy Bellefleur:The police in Bon Temps are...well, let's just say they try their best. Bauer portrays Andy Bellefleur as a detective who remains under constant stress while seeking professional recognition. Throughout the entire season of True Blood, he remains certain that Jason murdered the women.Andy Bellefleur is a tragic character because he deeply desires to become a hero, yet his life consists of constant frustration and social isolation.Chris Bauer is also known for: Henry Johnson & Thunderbolts*8) Carrie Preston as Arlene Fowler:Arlene Fowler is another waitress at Merlotte's, played by Carrie Preston on True Blood. She is a red-haired mother who wishes to experience everyday existence without any problems. She expresses her strong dislike for vampires because their presence makes her feel terrified.She demonstrates how typical individuals handle major life transformations through their experience of fear in the True Blood series.Carrie Preston is also known for: The Good Wife & Elsbeth9) Jim Parrack as Hoyt Fortenberry:On the flip side, you have Hoyt Fortenberry played by Jim Parrack on True Blood. Hoyt stands as Jason's closest friend while being the most gentle person who lives in their community. Everyone else on True Blood spends their time either judging others or showing anger, but Hoyt remains gentle to all people.His mother displays excessive control, but he maintains a pure and kind nature. True Blood features him as its only genuine hero who brings gentle moments to the series, which otherwise shows excessive violence and bloodshed.Jim Parrack is also known for: 9-1-1: Lone Star & Lost Child10) Alexander Skarsgård as Eric Northman:Finally, we meet Eric Northman, played by Alexander Skarsgård. If Bill is the good vampire, Eric is the kind of guy/vampire your parents warned you about. He's over a thousand years old, he's a Viking, and he runs a vampire bar called Fangtasia.The character has existed for more than 1000 years, as a Viking who operates a vampire nightclub, which he named Fangtasia.Skarsgård delivers a chilling performance on True Blood, which makes him appear both frightening and attractive in this part. Eric shows no interest in being human or following human social norms. He possesses great power and wealth while showing intense fascination with Sookie. True Blood fans experience a different energy when he appears on screen during each episode.Through his performance, he expands the True Blood universe beyond its initial setting in a small, low-key town. The character reveals his importance for Sookie's life through his first appearance because she will face his influence whether she wants it or not.Alexander Skarsgård is also known for: Pillion & The Legend of TarzanTrue Blood Season 1 maintains its iconic status because audiences love vampire pop culture, and the show creates an authentic community atmosphere. The series presents fans with a vampire-themed series that actually explores how a small community handles its transition through a major social transformation.The actors have dedicated themselves completely to their work. The actors display their emotions through crying and screaming while they act in each scene, which creates an intense dramatic effect.True Blood combines murder investigations with romantic storylines and vampire elements, which play out within a single community that appears to harbor numerous hidden truths. If you haven't yet, you should immediately book a trip to Bon Temps because it sure is waiting for you to arrive.Stay tuned to Soap Central for more.