HBO might be hammering the final nail in True Blood’s coffin, but the monster hit’s cast and crew were all smiles on the red carpet for the final season premiere at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood last night. Although the series’ upcoming seventh season, kicking off Sunday night at 9 EST, is its last, the show’s legacy will live on much like the undead characters it portrays.

Indeed, series composer Nathan Barr told reporters he’s already pitched the idea of a – wait for it – True Blood musical to series creator Alan Ball, and hopes the potential reimagining will  “return to the roots of the show … I think the direction we’re heading in is really exciting.”

Despite burgeoning plans to keep Bon Temps and its colorful residents alive, the evening’s focus was one of nostalgia and reflection as the entire cast gushed about their experience working on such a pop culture phenomenon.

“It’s still a little bit surreal. Now that I’m here, it’s like, ‘this is the last premiere, so I’d better have fun,’” Rutina Wesley, who plays Tara, best friend to Anna Paquin’s heroine Sookie Stackhouse, told Variety. “I’ve gained an extended family because of this show, and I’ve learned a lot from them. I’m very, very grateful.” 

The packed press line echoed Wesley’s sentiments, as the appearance of one familiar face after another illustrated the close-knit atmosphere True Blood cultivated on and off-camera for the last seven years. Other attendees included stars Paquin, Stephen Moyer (Bill Compton), Joe Manganiello (Alcide Herveaux), Sam Trammell (Sam Merlotte), Ryan Kwanten (Jason Stackhouse), Kristen Bauer van Straten (Pam De Beaufort), Carrie Preston (Arlene Fowler), Nelsan Ellis (Lafayette Reynolds), Chris Bauer (Andy Bellefleur), Lauren Bowles (Holly Cleary), and more, all of whom couldn’t speak highly enough about the show and each other despite their imminent goodbyes.

Michael McMillian, who played comical villain Steve Newlin, addressed the sense of loss lingering beneath the event’s lively fanfare. “It’s nice, but it’s a little bittersweet tonight because it is kind of sad … to see it all come to an end for everybody,” he told Surf and Sunshine.

Not ready to put a stake in True Blood just yet? Fret not. Thanks to Verizon FiOS SoCal, you have access to all the fangtastic entertainment you want, any time, anywhere. Visit Verizon FiOS SoCal at www.FiOSSoCal.com before Sunday night’s seventh season premiere to learn how you can optimize your True Blood experience before it’s too late, and be sure to check out all of Surf and Sunshine’s photo coverage of the True Blood final season premiere red carpet below!

Coverage brought to you by Surf and Sunshine Red Carpet Journalists Erin Biglow and Keith Kuramoto. Thank you to HBO and VerizonFiOS for providing access. All opinions are original.

 

Click to View All Photos from the True Blood Season 7 Red Carpet Premiere