Mark Hudis, a co-executive producer on HBO's vampy hit, will take the reins from show creator Ball should the series be picked up for a sixth season.
The elevation to showrunner comes as part of a two-year overall deal that Hudis has inked with HBO.
Hudis has been with "True Blood" since last year. His previous credits include runs as executive producer on "Nurse Jackie," "That '70s Show" and "Miss Guided," as well as a stint as a writer on "Cybill," which Ball also produced and wrote for.
Hudis has also written a handful of "True Blood" episodes.
As reported earlier, Ball will step down as showrunner for "True Blood" after its fifth season, which premieres June 10. He will remain on as an executive producer to consult and advise on the show as needed. HBO told TheWrap that the arrangement is "the best possible world for both HBO and Alan Ball," adding that Ball "will be free to develop shows for both HBO and (its sibling network) Cinemax." (Ball is executive producing "Banshee," Cinemax's first in-house series.)
