One of the best things about True Blood vs. the books are the new characters that Alan Ball and his writing staff have created. And, perhaps the best example of this, is the baby vampire, Jessica. We first met the character of Jessica in Season 1 when Bill Compton was forced to turn her as punishment for having killed another vampire.
Deborah Ann Woll was cast in the part and has fulfilled the part amazingly well. So much so that she is now one of the more popular members of the cast.
Jessica’s relationship is growing with Bill this season, her relationship with Hoyt is about to fall apart and the possible triangle created with what might happen between her and Jason Stackhouse has made for good viewing.
Below is part of an interview with New York Magazine’s Vulture section where Deborah Ann answers some questions about her part.
Part of being a vampire is being loyal to your maker. How would you defend your character’s maker, Bill Compton, who’s become a jerky politician?
He’s under incredible pressure. And he has some incredibly powerful people making decisions for him. I think Bill is as disappointed with that as we are. Bill is really alone now. He doesn’t have a family except Jess, and I think it’s really wonderful that this season they get to [bond] quite a bit. Because things aren’t going so great with [her human boyfriend] Hoyt, [Bill] is all that she has.
So … Jason Stackhouse and Jessica? Didn’t see that one coming.
I’m actually really excited about that story line. The thing is, Hoyt is such a great guy, but the really sad part of it is that his mom was right: She told Jess all those years ago that Jess can’t give him what he wants. While Hoyt is more open-minded than his mother, Hoyt really wants conventional things. He wants a wife and a normal life. And that’s not something Jess is capable of, nor does she want it.
When she was human, she would’ve been the perfect mate for him.
You’re absolutely right. The only future she had to look forward to when she was a human was being a housewife. But she’s excited that she finally escaped that. It’s really saddening for her to find out a year later that she’s right back where she started. And she did this because she loves him. She had a little two-week rebellion, then immediately was with Hoyt.
Were you rebellious as a teenager growing up in Brooklyn?
No, I was not. This character is fun because it’s a very safe place to act out. I was a very shy, very quiet little girl. I was bullied a lot and really didn’t feel attractive. Being so pale and so blonde, I just disappeared, so I started dying my hair red when I was about 14. And I rebelled against my peers. I never once experimented with a drug. I was a theater geek. I had piano lessons, theater rehearsals, dance.
To read the rest of this interview with Deborah Ann go to: nymag.com
