Mumbai: HBO has renewed the show True Blood for a 12-episode fourth season.

HBO Programming president Michael Lombardo said, "The new season of True Blood is off to a terrific start, as enthusiasm for this show continues to build among subscribers and critics. We’re looking forward to more chills from Alan Ball and his team next year."

The series will begin production of new episodes early next year in Los Angeles with debut set for summer 2011.

"I am beyond thrilled to be able to continue working with this amazing cast and crew. This is the most fun I have ever had," added Ball.

Mixing romance, suspense, mystery and humor, True Blood takes place in the not-too-distant future, when vampires have come out of the coffin, thanks to the invention of synthetic blood that means they no longer need humans as a nutritional source.