Rick Santorum as ‘True Blood‘ creator Alan Ball’s muse? Doesn’t sound likely but when you think about the theme of season five of the hit HBO southern gothic, it all makes sense.

Ball spoke candidly in an interview with The Wrap about his inspiration for this season, which focuses on the idea of a “vampire theocracy.”

The creator said his ideas for ‘True Blood’ Season 5 came from watching some real life characters:

For me the jumping off point was watching the Republican primaries, watching Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum, and asking what would it be like to have a theocracy in America – which is way more terrifying than any fictional monster could ever be.

Of course, hardcore vamp enthusiasts might consider a “vampire theocracy” an oxymoron, as the bloodsuckers are notoriously godless. That’s where Ball took some creative liberties with his already outrageous fantasy world of Bon Temps, Louisiana.

“You don’t really see vampires being religious creatures, ” said Ball. “They are excluded from God. But what if there was  a vampire bible? A religion? Theocracy? How would that impact our human  characters, or vampire characters?  I haven’t really seen that before.”

It’s definitely new territory for the vampire genre, which Ball has helped bring to a more adult audience with his sexually-charged and often violent series.

And it’s probably the last brush stroke he’ll leave on the show he created, as Ball plans to bid Bon Temps adieu after this season. After five years on the job, Ball says he’s ready to leave his blood-sucking baby in the hands of the capable team of writers and producers he’s mentored over the last half a decade.

“I’m at the point where the show is very strong. All the writer-producers know what they’re doing. Everybody is operating at the executive producer level. I need a break to clear my brain,” Ball explained.

With a development deal at Paramount, Ball is looking to make the transition into features, as the 55-year-old feels he’s gotten “too old for the TV grind.” With an Academy Award under his belt for penning ‘American Beauty,’ he’s ripe for a return to the big screen. Which means the GOP should be on high-alert.

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