‘True Blood’ Season 7 Spoilers: Will The 2014 Season Be Its Last?

“True Blood” left viewers begging for more at the end of season six. But will season seven be the last for the HBO vampire drama?

When “True Blood” fans learned that season six would be cut down to 10 from 12 episodes, rumors spread that it would be the final season for the HBO vampire drama. However, Christmas in July arrived on cue this year, as Deadline.com reported on July 15 that HBO was renewing the show for a seventh season. But is the long-running series over after its summer season next year?

That’s the question on everyone’s mind, including that of showrunner Brian Buckner.

After the epic season-six premiere that left viewers hungry for more, Buckner chatted with TVLine about the possibility of the show coming to an end -- and it’s possible it could be coming sooner rather than later. “That conversation is happening, but we don’t have an answer yet,” the showrunner dished. “I’m being told that I will know, which doesn’t mean that I will tell everybody. But I will know when the writers resume in the room [next month] whether or not we’re wrapping it up or not.”

With a 50-50 chance of the drama in Bon Temps continuing after season seven, it doesn’t help that ratings for the season-six finale were down. The HBO episode attracted 4.1 million viewers for its 9 p.m. showing -- which, according to TheWrap, is “about a million less than the fifth season-ender’s 5 million viewers.” It also doesn’t help that sources close to production are claiming that the new season will feature only 10 episodes as well (and Anna Paquin’s pregnancy is no longer a reason).

HBO Programming President Michael Lombardo revealed to reporters on the Television Critics Association summer press tour in July that “True Blood” will continue “as long as there are stories to tell.” Season six ended with Eric’s fate up in the air, Pam missing, Sookie with Alcide, Bill pining over his lost love, humans teaming up with vampires, Sarah Newlin on the run and Hep V-infected vampires invading Bon Temps.

Do you think there are still “stories to tell?” Let us know in the comments section when you think “True Blood” should end.