Even though the continuing adventures of Sookie Stackhouse in True Blood season 4 are just beginning, plans are already underway for the next season of HBO’s hit series - plans that include the long-awaited return of Russell Edgington.

Speaking with Film School Rejects, Denis O'Hare confirmed that he will be returning as the one-time vampire king of Mississippi when the fifth season of True Blood begins. As a fan-favorite character – and one of the few positives to come out of True Blood season 3 – viewers have been wondering if/when Russell Edgington would break free from the underground cement prison that was supposed to house him for the next 100 years.

Acknowledging that the producers had always planned on bringing his character back, O’Hare reveals that the return of Russell Edgington was never an “if”, but “when” scenario. With the fourth season of True Blood introducing many additional characters (not to mention witches), the producers were trying to decide whether or not it would be better to have Edgington’s return fall within the final episodes of season 4, or in the beginning of season 5.

Denis O'Hare says:

“They were definitely bringing me back, it was just a matter of if they wanted to bring me back the last couple episodes or bring me back at the beginning. So they decided to do it at the beginning of season 5.”

When we last left the crazed vampire king in the True Blood season 3 finale, Edgington was firmly cemented within the depths of yet unknown construction yard. With no available comparison to the events that occurred in “The Southern Vampire Mysteries” novels that the series is based on, it’s difficult to speculate exactly how Edgington will free himself – or who may help him accomplish that difficult task.

Burn Russell Edgington - True Blood Season 5

Russell Edgington after a little too much sun

Considering Alcide (Joe Manganiello), Eric (Alexander Skarsgard) and Bill (Stephen Moyer) are the only three that know the whereabouts of Russell Edgington, one can rightfully suspect that it is one of these three characters behind Edgington’s return. While Alcide has been noticeably absent from True Blood season 4, you’ll be happy to hear that everyone’s favorite werewolf will be making a brief appearance in next week’s episode, “If You Love Me, Why Am I Dyin'?” – and for those that watch closely, you’ll find out exactly where Russell Edgington was buried.

No matter the reasoning behind Russell Edgington’s return, one thing is absolutely certain: when Edgington returns, he’s going to be crazier and angrier than ever before. Even though Edgington was supposed to sit for 100 years in his cement coffin, the two years that would have passed by the time True Blood season 5 premieres (barring any additional time jumps) must have completely decimated the already fragile psyche of Mississippi’s fallen royal.

Whether or not the True Blood season 4 premiere was to your liking, the prospect of Russell Edgington returning has to at least pique your interest for the True Blood season 5 premiere – if for no other reason than to see the craziness unfold.

-

True Blood airs Sundays @9pm on HBO

Follow Anthony on Twitter @anthonyocasio

Source: Film School Rejects