HBO announced on Monday that their Sunday night hit, True Blood, possibly the gayest show on television, featuring gay, lesbian and bisexual characters, was renewed for a 4th season, MSNBC is reporting.

The season will consist of a 12-episode arc with production set to begin early next year.

As for the story line, fans will just have to wait for the premiere, which is set for summer 2011.

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

HBO is known for its stellar Sunday night line-up, having shows like Six Feet Under, The Sopranos and Sex in the City fill the coveted timeslots.

The third season of True Blood premiered on June 13th and is receiving critical and ratings success.  The premiere drew 5.1 million viewers for its first airing.

The show is based on a series of novels, The Southern Vampire Series/Sookie Stackhouse Novels, written by Charlaine Harris.  The first book, Dead Until Dark, was released in 2001 and has lead to an impressive 10 books in the franchise.  

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