'True Blood' Season 4 Casting Update: A Witch, Cage Fighter, & Shapeshifter

Screen Rant

By Anthony Ocasio

Published Nov 24, 2010

Serving as fresh meat for the inhabitants of Bon Temps, Janina Gavankar, Alexandra Breckenridge & Vedette Lim have joined the cast of 'True Blood.'

With one week before production begins on True Blood season 4, actresses Janina Gavankar, Alexandra Breckenridge and Vedette Lim have joined the familiar Bon Temps family.

Additionally, Jessica Tuck, who plays American Vampire League spokeswoman Nans Flanagan, has been bumped up to a series regular for this season. Although, no information has been provided as to what Tuck’s newly boosted role will entail.

Kicking off the flurry of new casting for the HBO hit series is former star of The L Word Janina Gavankar. Gavankar will play Luna, an extremely attractive school teacher who also happens to be a shapeshifter. The character of Luna will first maker her appearance at an informal gathering of shapeshifters. No word yet on whether or not Sam will also be in attendance. Although, after where we left him in the season 3 finale, I wouldn’t be surprised.

Alexandra Breckenridge, who is best known for her roles on FX’s Dirt and the struggling CW series Life Unexpected, will play the character of Daisy. While not much is revealed about her character, we know that she will be an integral member of a Wicca group that was founded by Marnie. As we previously reported, Marnie will be played by Harry Potter alum Fiona Shaw and is described as a depressed and incompetent local medium/palm reader who becomes possessed by the spirit of a powerful witch.

Rounding out the new character additions is former As The World Turns actress Vedette Lim, who will play the fierce cage fighter Naomi. Like Sam’s younger brother Tommy, Naomi participates in underground fights for money. Although, unlike Tommy, she won’t have to turn into a dog before each match.

While the addition of new cast members to a series can provide some refreshing stories and intriguing character interactions, one has to worry when it comes to True Blood. Out of all three seasons, last year’s was easily the worst. Something that many chalk up to having too many story-arcs occurring simultaneously, which resulted in many characters and story lines having to share the same 52 minute episode.

On top of that, one can’t forget the conclusion-less season 3 finale. When True Blood returns for season 4, they’ll not only have to somehow wrap up all the lingering storylines, but also introduce these new characters. Unfortunately, many have felt that True Blood is barely keeping its proverbial head above the water as it is - in terms of delivering a satisfying story with fully realized characters.

If the past has shown us anything, it’s that Alan Ball and company already had a hard enough time juggling the large cast that they put together for season 3. Could the addition of these three characters (on top of the four already announced) serve to overwhelm the already struggling storylines and inevitably sink this juggernaut series?