Congratulations are in order to Denis O’Hare (Russell Edgington) who was out in New York City last night at the Lucille Lortel Awards! He and co-writer Lisa Peterson won Outstanding Solo Show for “An Illiad”!
The production is based on a Robert Fagles translation of Homer’s epic work about the Trojan War and recently completed a run at the New York Theatre Workshop.
While at the awards, Denis spoke with writer Jared Wieselman of the Insider all about what to expect from Russell in True Blood season 5! According to his portrayer, Russell is a lot funnier this year but don’t expect him to be a completely changed vampire:
“He’s not toothless, but he’s a little more of a comic foil … until he isn’t. And then he becomes very, very vicious again. Which I love.”
Apparently though, the way Russell was freed from 100 years in concreate solitude may contribute to his slight change in behavior:
“How he got disinterred made him grateful to somebody and that gratitude may inform his new [personality].”
And as we reported to you before, Denis will get to sing and see his character get a new love interest on screen:
“I get to dance, I get to hold a puppy and I get to sing karaoke — a great 70s classic…not all at the same time, mind you.”
O’Hare also revealed to the Insider that the production is currently up to episodes 10 and 11 right now and it’s all about vampire politics:
“We’re shooting episodes 10 and 11 right now and it’s a really interesting season. It’s all about vampire politics — it’s like the inside baseball of vampires, which is so fun.”
Congratulations to Denis and Lisa on winning Outstanding Solo Show! Below you’ll find pictures of them accepting the award as well as shots of Denis with fellow “An Iliad” co-star Stephen Spinella: 
And be able sure to see Denis return to the small screen on True Blood sometime after the new season kicks off June 10!
Sources: Lortel Award.com- “2012 Nominations and Winners”
TheInsider.com- “True Blood Star Spills on his Shocking Return”
Zimbio.com- “27th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards”
Image Credits: Janette Pellegrini and Jamal Countess, Getty Images
