For the record, I have not read the many books upon which this show is based.  My comments relate only to what I've seen on t.v.  However, I do have the books on my Barnes & Noble wish list should anyone care to be kind and give them to me.

I will admit to becoming a fan of this show only recently.  I've never been a fan of vampire stories, and was working at Comcast when the show first aired, and the posters with the blood dripping from those giant red lips really put me off.  However, the Facebook buzz was so prevalent for Season 3 I decided to check it out.  I am so glad that I did.  It is nothing like I expected. 

First of all, it is very funny.  The show and it's characters have a subtle, dry wit that I enjoy.  Second of all, the vampires are nothing like those wimpy douchebag vampires of "Twilight" fame.  These are real vampires.  For the most part, they want to feed on humans, despite the invention of the synthetic Tru Blood.   They are violent, scary/sexy, and do not care about the feelings of humans.  

Let's talk about our cast of characters, shall we?

 

Sookie Stackhouse, Human?, aka Anna Paquin. 

Sookie lives in Bon Temps, LA, and is your average, run-of-the-mill waitress at Merlotte's.  Like most young women her age, she is in love with a vampire, can read minds, and has the ability to shoot light out of her hands that can repel all manner of supernatural beings.  She's sweet as sugar, tough as nails, and should she and Bill ever call it quits for good, will not go the way of Bella in "Twilight" and physically and emotionally shut down for months on end.  She'll look at her Bill & Sookie scrapbook, cry, and then move on with her life.  I like her.

Bill Compton, Vampire, aka Stephen Moyer

Bill can best be described as an Officer (in the Confederate Army) and a Gentleman, as well as a vampire.  He's all Southern courtliness and charm, unless he thinks something is threatening someone he cares for, then the fangs come out.  He and Sookie met at Merlotte's after Bill decided to return home to Bon Temps and to try to live in the open as a vampire.  She saved his life, he saved her life, and it's been all up and down hill ever since. 

Eric Northman, Vampire, aka Alexander Skarsgard

Eric is 1,000 years old, give or take 50 years.  He was a Viking when he was human, and his family was slaughtered by werewolves under the control of a vampire.  He's been a tortured soul ever since, and sort of the ultimate bad boy.  He feeds on humans, and in general believes them to be inferior beings.  He is drawn to Sookie, but it is unclear if his feelings are genuine, or if he is simply interested in finding out the nature of Sookie's powers and using them to his own advantage. 

Jason Stackhouse, Human, aka Ryan Kwanten

Jason Stackhouse is Sookie's brother.  He's sweet and loyal, but not the brightest bulb in the pack.  He does not appear to possess any of Sookie's powers, but is in possession of a body that is no more than 5% body fat, which is a kind of super power itself.  In the past he has cultivated a well-deserved reputation as a stud, but now longs for more than that out of life. 

Tara Thornton, Human, aka Rutina Wesley

Tara has been Sookie's best friend since childhood.  She had it pretty tough, growing up, taking care of her alcoholic mother.  This has given her a short fuse at times, especially with 'stupid people'.  Her job as a bartender at Merlotte's provides her with ample opportunity to vent.  She's nursed a long-time crush on Jason Stackhouse, but has had relationships with a man who was under the control of a beautiful, evil supernatural being, and a consensual then NOT consensual relationship with a vampire name Franklin.  To put it mildly and simplistically, Tara has issues.

Lafayette Reynolds, Human, aka Nelsan Ellis

Lafayette is a flamboyant, charismatic homosexual man. Although partaking in very illegal activities, he's a good person at heart.  He is Tara's cousin, and the short order cook at Merlotte's.  Like most characters on the show, he has had his share of troubles in the past, first and foremost having a schizophrenic mother.  He was selling "V", which is vampire blood.  This is definitely an illegal substance and humans can easily become addicted with very bad results.  Eric kidnapped and tortured him because he was a "V" dealer, and Lafayette decided to stop, but was then forced back into the trade by none other than Eric.  Confused yet?  Lafayette is good people.

Sam Merlotte, Shape Shifter, aka Sam Trammell

Sam is the owner of Merlotte's, where most of the characters either work or hang out.  He is a shape shifter, which means he take assume the shape of almost anything, as long as he has imprinted with it.  Mostly, he takes the form of a dog.  Sam had feelings for Sookie for a long time but never let her know.  Just as he was about to tell all, she met Bill and it was too late.  Sam is a really nice guy, almost too nice.  His employees push him around and take advantage of him.  He had an affair with Tara, then with a waitress who turned out to be under the control of the same beautiful, evil supernatural being that controlled Tara's boyfriend.  He has recently discovered his birth parents and younger brother, and they are adding a lot of excitement to his life.

There are, of course, many more characters on the show.  Humans, vampires, werewolves, shape shifters, and other assorted supernatural beings.  If you haven't seen this show but this entry has made you interested, I highly recommend starting with Season 1 and watching it all unfold.