Now that you’ve seen the season 2 premiere of True Blood, join me in a chorus of “Hallelujah, Lafayette lives!” Although last November’s cliff-hanger seemed to suggest that series creator Alan Ball was remaining faithful to Charlaine Harris’ books and sending Nelsan Ellis’ fierce, flamboyant alter ego to an early grave, Sunday’s debut confirmed what many fans had hoped: Ball decided to spare the wildly popular character. But why? In this exclusive interview, Ellis has the surprising answer to that question, as well as scoop on another possible detour Ball has up his sleeve — this one involving a deep connection between Lafayette and Alexander Skarsgard’s Eric.
When you first signed on to the show, did Alan Ball assure you he would not be following the books when it came to this character?
NELSAN ELLIS: No, no no. When I first started it was only a one-year contract, so I thought I was a goner after the 12th episode. In fact, [Alan] didn’t tell me that he was bringing me back until after the table read for [the season 1 finale]. He was like, “You know we’re not killing you, right?” And I was like, “I didn’t know but thanks for telling me.”
What was your reaction?
ELLIS: Thank you! I have a job for next season! That was my reaction.
Did he explain to you why he let Lafayette survive?
ELLIS: Not really. He just said he decided after the bar scene in [the pilot], but he didn’t tell me until the 12th episode. He didn’t really go into any detail as to why he decided to keep me — not to me anyway.
When did you realize the character was gaining a large following?
ELLIS: I’m beginning to realize it now. At first I didn’t. I am realizing more and more that people have seemed to respond well to Lafayette, much to my surprise.
Why are you surprised?
ELLIS: Well, because I would not know what to do with Lafayette or what to think about him.
Was it hard keeping his fate a secret during the hiatus?
ELLIS: It was hard. The question was asked every single day.
How will the experience of being locked in a dungeon and almost dying change Lafayette this season?
ELLIS: It certainly humbles him. It shows him there are some situations he just can’t get himself out of no matter how slick he is. He’s going to have to suffer the consequences of what he’s done. And I think he reflects back on his behavior and maybe for a second thinks about changing.
In an upcoming episode [SPOILER ALERT], Lafayette ingests a lot of Eric’s blood. The homoeroticism in that moment was off the charts. Was that something you were conscious of while shooting it?
ELLIS: I wasn’t. I know Alexander said that from his standpoint he thinks Eric is a little drawn to Lafayette. My intentions were that I was completely terrified of Eric and what he can do to me. As far as I know, I hated his guts. It’s funny what the camera picks up… Alan has been making jokes about me and Eric and what’s to come in the third season. I definitely think I’ll be one of his henchmen, but as far down the rabbit hole as that goes, I don’t know.
So we can assume that Lafayette does, in fact, survive to see a third season?
ELLIS: I think I’m back for the third season.
Do you think it’s possible for Lafayette to settle down and have a normal relationship with a guy?
ELLIS: I don’t know that his normal is the general norm for everybody. I don’t think he’ll ever be normal to everybody’s standards. I do hope, though, that the dude can find someone that he loves and that loves him back. Everybody should be capable of that — even Lafayette. (Additional reporting by Jeremy Medina)
More True Blood:
Ken Tucker on the season 2 premiere
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So glad he`s back! I am happy that Ball et al. decided to not be *too* faithful to the books.
I sure thought he was a goner though and was prepared to be very bitter!
I am also glad that he did not get killed off. Here’s hoping they don’t keep him in that dungeon too long!
he was barely recognizable at first.
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Hmmm, why do I have the feeling that Alan Ball will completely destroy Eric’s character to keep the viking away from AB’s precious Bill and Sookie?
And I don’t care much for Lafayette. He’s just the bad old stereotype of the sassy gay man that straight people love to watch.
I’m so happy Lafayette lives! I’ve known this for a while though, because I read spoilers. The actor is so talented and adds so much to the character. Would be a shame to waste all that talent. I’m really interested to see what happens between Eric and him. I hope he isn’t turned, and maybe they (the writers) won’t because they are making it so obvious.
It too my a minute to recognize Lafayette and I didn’t realize that was Eric for certain until the end. I’m glad Lafayette is hanging around but unsure of what that means for the story line in general as this series is based on books.
PS – I’m really starting to hate Jason.
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As a longtime fan of the books, I was just sure that body in the car was Lafayette’s. I’m *so* glad it wasn’t. In the books, Lafayette was not that exciting a character (he was fine, just not nearly as interesting as on the show). I would’ve been so irked if they had killed him on the show!
am i only who doesn’t care if he lives or dies…his character is very average to me
A lil cocoa, a lil cocoa.
Awesome!!! He’s going to be in season 3. It sounds like Eric and Lafayette may end up as Lovers or something. Or did I read that wrong?
Please change your headlines, between yours and Kristin’s I was spoiled for the episode. Atleast yours was a bit more ambiguous than hers.
Everybody should, but everybody isn’t.
I read the books and I like when things are true to the books, but this was one time I was truly hoping they didn’t follow them and kill Lafayette. I like his character. He can be flame-y sometimes, but sometimes when he’s talked to Tara or Jason you see another side of him that gives him more depth.
There is an old saying that there is nothing new under the sun. I haven’t watched this series, but does anyone remember Dark Shadows? Forty years ago(I know the Dark Ages), I watched this series every afternoon. Poor Barnabus Collins did not want to be a vampire and he loved Victoria Winters, a great love triangle with the evil Angelique. I really like Charlaine Harris’ other series about the girl who sees dead people.
Anyone who loves this would no doubt love Dark Shadows. Check it out on DVD!! Quite a few things were *borrowed* from that series.
I am soooo relieved about my dear Lafayette!! I hope he doesn’t change AT ALL! He is wonderful like he is! My fav by far!
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Mmm, mmm, mmm, I’m clutchin’ my pearls.
This show is 100% entertainment. Love-Love-Love it!
I literally clapped when I found out it wasn’t Lafayette. He is truley one of the most original characters I have seen on TV….
I literally clapped out loud home alone when I found out Lafayette lives…He is truley one of the most original characters I have ever seen on the small screen..Alan has balls thank Goodness
I never finished watching Season 1 (I think I have 5 episodes left) but as of Episode 7, Lafayette and Tara are the only reasons I’m still interested in the show. Glad to know he’s still on the show. As someone relatively new to the series, please tell me the Sookie/Bill storyline gets better…at this point in my viewing ot the show, I’m bored of them.
I was so happy when I saw it wasn’t Lafayette in that car. He is one of the best parts of the show.
I’m happy Lafayatte is alive but I don’t like him and Eric getting involved. As someone here said before Alan Ball is going to ruin Eric’s character.
He is one of the best things on the show. Last nights episode with him chained by the neck was a little disturbing as it entered SAW territory. I don’t know if that was really entertaining or just a little over the top.
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As much as I LOVED the character of Lafayette from season one all these changes from the books is really starting to bug me! If Lafayette and Eric get involved I’m going to just be angry. I like the later books with the Sookie & Eric tension and if they screw that up then UGH!
Don’t blame the Ferrari just cause your ass can’t drive.
I thought the first episode was great. The whole Lafayette in a dungeon was just plain awesome and scary. This episode set us up for a great season. I can’t wait!
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I LOVED ERIC’S HIGHLIGHT SCENE. BUT HE IS A LITTLE DARKER THAN I WOULD LIKE.
I’m so glad Lafayette is still alive, I tried to read the novels and they were awful, in terms of prose, so I just couldn’t get past the first chapter. I’m so excited about the fresh and new direction Alan Ball is taking this series in.
Eveat — unlike you ‘m absolutely thrilled that Alan is going a slightly different direction. I have read the books and can’t stand the Sookie Eric relationship. I loved last night’s declaration Bill made to Sookie. Concerning Lafayette, his character is truly larger than life on the television show and to lose him would be a huge loss of energy to the story. Last nights episode rocked it hard! Wow!!
what!!!!! not like the sookie and eric relationship are you crazy, bill met and dated her under false pretense(it was the queen who ordered him to meet her b/c her cousin talked about to the queen) and yes eric may have lied but he would always tell her even if after the fact, and his character went through a lot of changes during the series, the part that really got me is when he found out the curse he received( landing him naked in sookies road with no memories)was to send him to his hearts desire!!!!! eric is the one who was there for her in the novels after the third, not bill, bill is barely in the later series, just hanging around in the back ground, how was she suppose to react to bill’s lies,he left her to go be with his maker, and then lied from the beginning of their relationship about what he was doing there, down with bill sookie and long live eric and sookie, if they change this fact in the show, i willl stop watching!!!! what on earth would they do during the book where eric lost his memory? that was the main story line in that book!!!!!!!!!!