Interview with Stephen Moyer by Kristin on EOnline
Is it possible that Twilight is only the second-most-romantic vampire saga of the moment?
Being on premium cable as they are, True Blood’s Sookie and Bill certainly give virginal Edward and Bella a run for their money when it comes to blood-hot sex, but what about love?
We just spoke exclusively with True Blood‘s leading man, Stephen Moyer, aka Bill Compton himself, to find out what’s in store for the vampires of the dirty, dirty South in season two. He told us that while there will be just as many near-pornographic sex scenes, his character is still primarily driven by an overiding morality and an abiding passion for Sookie Stackhouse.
Read on to find out what he told us about sex scenes, his “hideous” vampire daughter and falling in love with Anna Paquin, onscreen and off…
Is True Blood going to stay as explicitly sexual this season or will you dial that back a bit?
The show is ridiculously f–king sexy…I think Alan Ball and the writers do very well in pushing the envelope. I think one of the things that drives me nuts about society is that you can watch hours about terrorists but you can’t look at a human nipple. What the f–k is that about? Sex is part of our lives. It’s part of our existence. So I kind of embrace the fact that we hit it full on the head.
What you think of Bill as a person, are you more interested in him as a vampire or as a personality?
There’s no getting away from the fact that Bill is a vampire. He can’t wish to be anything else, because he’s a vampire, but he’s a vampire who wants to live a human life. Actually, in fact, he wishes not for a human life, but for a moral life. It’s not that he doesn’t want to feed on blood, it’s that he doesn’t want it to involve killing—but in his first season he kills as many people as the murderer. That was something that was very present in our minds. He has that blood lust, he has that very strong sense of right and wrong. If somebody f–s him off, he’s going to take them out. He’s torn. He’s not going to do it just for the sake of it. But if somebody hurts him or hurts his family or hurts his loved one…they’re history. [Chuckles]. I like that.
What kind of arc can we expect for Bill and Sookie this season?
I think that they love each other more than they have loved anything ever. Speaking from Bill’s point of view, she’s given him reason to live again.
Does your relationship with Anna [Paquin] make it more or less difficult to do emotionally awkward scenes between Sookie and Bill, like when she and Sam got together last season and Bill walked in on them?
Anna and I met on this show. We met doing the job. And so the crew has seen us grow together. They have seen our relationship grow by watching us on set. Now you know, we kept it from them to begin with. You know, it was very…we wanted to keep it private. We didn’t want people to think we were f–king with their lives with something fickle. But honestly, there’s no one I’d rather work with. I really mean it. I love working with her, and that’s how it all started, by falling in love on camera…So, last year, Sam had his stuff coming up with Anna and at that point nobody knew we were a couple. So Sam’s a close friend, and I had to go to Sam and say, ‘Look. I need to tell you something. I need you to know. I don’t want you to find out later and feel like a heel.’ So I told him, that was the first time I told him about me and Anna. And he couldn’t believe it! It’s about trust, you know. And that trust is a very important part of a relationship.
From your perspective as an actor, how would you characterize Bill and Eric’s relationship—are they friends, enemies, coworkers or what?
Bill just knows that’s how Eric is, and that he’s not going to be changing him anytime soon. Certainly in this season there is a moral hierarchy. And you understand that in the vampire world there’s a very strong sense of right and wrong. There are things you do and things you don’t and if you do something within the vampire world that is f–ked up and against your fellow vamp, you are going to suffer for that. I kind of like that idea, that you know, anything goes, but if you cross a line, you’re going to suffer for it. Whether Eric is adhering to those vampire morals is important.
What about your vampire daughter, Jessica—does that continue to be a fractured fairy tale?
If Bill imagined a daughter, he imagined a beautiful little well-mannered Victorian beauty. And Jessica comes along, and she is this hideous, sex-and-blood hungry 17-year-old. And we don’t think she’s going to be that. We think she’s going to be this homeschooled innocent, and that’s not where she is at all. The actress, Deborah Ann Woll, who plays Jessica, she’s f–king brilliant. And I love her. She goes about creating her part through a very pure, you know, method way. And I don’t mean she’s a Method actress, I just mean she really, she really goes at it with incredible, incredible industry. She’s fantastic to work with!
What can you tell us about season two?
I think the second season is beyond amazing…more than anybody imagined. Honestly, I came out of the screening the other day with my jaw on the floor. And I’ve read it, you know.
True Blood season two premieres June 14 at 9 p.m. on HBO.
Thanks for putting this on the Vault, Shad! He’s so straightforward, honest, and matter-of-fact in his interviews. I love when he talks about talking to Sam T. for the first time about he and Anna. My heart just melts a little more…. :-)
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I love Stephen, I love him and Anna together, I love Bill/Sookie. Bascially this interview was just made of win! LOL
And can I just say that I love that for once, the Eric situation didn’t come up when he was asked about Bill/Sookie in season 2. Haha
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This is great! I love how Stephen looks at things. He is an artist and realistic about so much. His perspective on nudity, etc. and what we are permitted to see and not see is so “right on”. I think he is the greatest and know that he will soon break out as a big force in the acting world. Yea! I’m a huge fan!
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I love love love this man’s interviews! He’s always so personable and chatty and f-bomby. I love to hear his thoughts on Bill and Bill/Sookie, and also how he interacts with the rest of the cast and crew. How sweet that he went to Sam! They all seem like such good friends.
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He wonderfully captures the rush of what can happen when people fall for each other in the heightened reality of a creative envoronment — and I love hearing him talk about acting! Would so enjoy seeing him do a master class on tv — oh wait — he is doing one already on tb!!
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He wonderfully captures the rush of what can happen when people fall for each other in the heightened reality of a creative environment — and I love hearing him talk about acting! Would so enjoy seeing him do a master class on tv — oh wait — he is doing one already on tb!!
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He says “the show is rediculously f-ing sexy. Truer words were never spoken. And he is rediculously f-ing sexy. I’m wondering about that line where he says “if someone hurts him or hurts his FAMILY or hurts his loved one…” Will his Bon Temp family ties come into play this season…a lot sooner than they did in the books?
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Lou Reply:
June 3rd, 2009 at 17:44
Jessica is kind of his (vampire) family now, so maybe he’s talking about her? I’d love for them to eventually bond, even though I love them at odds. They crack me up.
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Sanna Reply:
June 3rd, 2009 at 17:55
I also thought about that. He also said loved ONE. I think that’s Sookie, si I do think we’re going to see a very very pissed of Bill when something happens to her. Can’t wait!
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sorry for the doubling gang — got all messed up with the “click to edit” feature – all these newfangled things got me knickers in a twist!
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If Sam felt a bit nervous for kissing her before he knew about Stephen/Anna, I wonder how he felt when Stephen told him! LMAO! Must havmim even more nervous, hihi. Ahh, cute.
Stephen sure uses the f-word alot these days, doesn’t he?? LOL I love it
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I just love this man & the character he plays. Intelligent, handsome & an awesome sense of humour. He & Anna are hot together and so are Bill & Sookie.
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Just don’t think the Brits are that concerned with using the f-bomb in public! Remember the beginning of “Four Weddings and a Funeral” with Hugh Grant? It was f-bomb central! And very cute at the same time!
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cocoablossoms Reply:
June 3rd, 2009 at 17:30
i love that movie. i had the hugest crush on hugh grant after that. hmm another dark haired brit, go figure. and yes the f bomb if hot.
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He is throwing in one fuck after the other, so Sterling… how come we are being moderated so strictly on YUKU?
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cocoablossoms Reply:
June 3rd, 2009 at 17:31
ahahaha!!! probably because stephen can do (or say) no wrong.
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Lou Reply:
June 3rd, 2009 at 17:53
LOL! We now have a special exception…”But Stephen says it!”
I’m an f-bomber as well, so anytime we open those flood gates I’ll gladly take part.
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Jeanne Reply:
June 3rd, 2009 at 18:08
Lynn is right, he is an artist and realistic; He can say that. :))
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lynnpd99 Reply:
June 3rd, 2009 at 23:27
OHHHHH! You Go Girl!
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Fantastic interview. Stephen is so straightforward, honest and enthusiastic about life, the show and about Bill Compton … and about his relationship with Anna. Long may they remain a couple, both on screen and off.
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i giggled when i read nipple haha. i’m silly.
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What’s not to LOVE about this man!!! Where has he been all my life??? :)
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England??
LOL
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cocoablossoms Reply:
June 3rd, 2009 at 20:09
ahahaha!!!
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shivermeBILL Reply:
June 3rd, 2009 at 21:43
HAHAHA SO TRUE!!
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He can really be funny! He and Anna just fit together in every sense of the word. They are great on screen as Bill/Sookie and great in real life as Stephen/Anna.
He may throw in a ‘fuck’ every now and then but I’ll bet he watches his mouth around his children. I’m glad he doesn’t use curse words on TB–wouldn’t fit with his ‘southern gentleman’ role.
Bring on S2!
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I love that both Anna and Stephen can be very funny. I bet they are hilarious together, lol
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Mmm, I love how this man looks, acts and swears. Reading an interview with him is a joy rather than a total bore like most celebs. Us crazy womenfolk are so lucky to have such a hot, passionate, intelligent guy to lust after in the show, rather than just a parade of dumb hunks.
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Stephen has such a way with words. I absolutely love him.
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I know we have the awakened line, but I also like to hear Bill say that she has given him reason to live again. I want to hear a big love declaration. And by big I mean big, haha
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I LOVE this Dude! Translation to Sam: Don’t LICK MY WOMAN, Dog Boy! Of course this was spoken in a very smooth British whisper. Much respect for he and Anna.
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Thanks for posting this, I just love this guy, he is incredibly open and real and a fantastic actor to boot, his portrayal of Bill has been awesome and i’m expecting this season is going to be even better. I hope his career and the show really take off big time. I loved the f-bombs too they really made me laugh it made me remember sitting around shooting the sh-t with my nephews when they came home on leave during the holidays, to me they were cute enough to get away with it too.
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Two fantastic interviews in one week! And I almost missed this one (thanks, RC). I love,love,love this open and candid interview with this wonderful actor. It sounds like the show is really going to surpass all of our expectations this season. I can’t wait.
Note: There go my Eric-Bill dreams up in smoke!!
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