We’ve known for some time now that Alan Ball, the creator and executive producer of ‘True Blood’, would be stepping down from the showrunner position at the end of season five, however, it wasn’t until today that we knew who would take his place. Deadline is reporting Mark Hudis, current co-executive producer of the HBO vampire drama.

As part of an overall deal that includes a developmental component, Hudis will be upped to the showrunner spot if the show gets renewed for a sixth season. He has been a part of the ‘True Blood’ crew for seasons four and five, and he has worked with Ball previously on the CBS comedy ‘Cybill’, where they co-wrote many episodes during the 1997-98 season after meeting decades ago while working at the publication AdWeek.

Ball will continue to be involved with ‘True Blood’ once he steps down from the showrunner position, but he will no longer handle the day to day activities. He will also executive produce the new series ‘Banshee’ for Cinemax.

The fifth season of ‘True Blood’, which will be Ball’s last, premieres on HBO on June 10th.