There are many new characters joining the cast of True Blood in the popular series' third season next year but it seems they've just now secured one of the more important roles of the season. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Joe Manganiello has been cast as the werewolf Alcide in Alan Ball's HBO vampire series.

Not much is known about Alcide, other than he's an alpha-male werewolf, which will be a recurring role for Manganiello. Other casting for the series has taken place as well, with Cooper Huckabee signing on to play Sam's (Sam Trammell) father, Joe Lee Mickens. Alfre Woodard has also recently signed on to play Lafayette's (Nelsan Ellis) mother and J. Smith-Cameron will play Sam's distant mother, Melinda Mickens.

Other recently-cast members of the series include Denis O'Hare, Marshall Allman, Theo Alexander and Grant Bowler.