HBO's long-running series, True Blood, was centered around the story of Bill Compton and Sookie Stackhouse, played by Stephen Moyer and Anna Paquin respectively; however iconic the roles are now, they were almost played by other actors.

True Blood was added to HBO's originally programming and first aired in 2008; it ran for seven seasons until its finale in 2014. Alongside Moyer and Paquin, the series also starred Alexander Skarsgård, Ryan Kwanten, Rutina Wesley, Nelsan Ellis, Sam Trammel, Deborah Ann Woll, and Kristen Bauer van Straten. Based on a series of novels by Charlaine Harris known as The Southern Vampire Mysteries, the series primarily explored vampires, who have recently been able to "come out of the coffin" due to a synthetic blood substitute that is bottled and sold, known as Tru Blood. Taking place in the fictional town of Bon Temps, Louisiana, vampires are not the only supernatural creatures that exist within the area, but much of the series revolves around the relationship between Bill, a vampire, and Sookie, a waitress who is half fairy.

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Paquin and Moyer's significant chemistry translated off-screen as well, as the actors married in 2010. However, since Bill and Sookie were such a major aspect of the show despite a talented ensemble cast, it's strange to think of anyone else playing the roles. Even so, two major actors - who have both dabbled in genre film - almost landed the roles, or were considered at one point during the casting process.

The Actors Who Almost Played Bill Compton & Sookie Stackhouse

Benedict Cumberbatch and Jessica Chastain

Bill Compton, the polite, gentlemanly vampire who begins season 1 championing for vampires to be able to live peaceably amongst humans now that Tru Blood is a viable option for their kind, was almost given to Benedict Cumberbatch. Cumberbatch is a big name in Hollywood, and has dabbled in genre films, most notably through the role of Khan in Star Trek: Into Darkness, and then as Dr. Stephen Strange in Doctor Strange. However, Cumberbatch has a varied filmography and has even played major roles on television through his stint as the titular character in the popular BBC series, Sherlock, from the creators of Doctor Who. While creator Alan Ball has revealed that the actor was considered for the role, he never revealed why this casting didn't pan out.

Jessica Chastain has played numerous roles in the horror space including roles in Mama, Guillermo del Toro's gothic thriller Crimson Peak, and most recently as the adult Beverly Marsh in IT: Chapter Two. Ball also revealed that Chastain read for the role of Sookie Stackhouse. Apparently, Paquin had to read for the role she ended up bringing to life several times before she was ultimately chosen, so it seems likely the two actresses were, at least to some extent, neck and neck for the part. Both Cumberbatch and Chastain have had incredible careers in spite of not landing the lead roles on True Blood, but the fact that they almost did makes for an interesting what-if.

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