While it comes as no surprise, fang bangers can take a deep breath, and let out a sigh of satisfaction. No axe hanging over OUR heads, waiting for a season pickup. After making us wait for four episodes into the current fifth season, HBO has now announced that True Blood has indeed been picked up for a sixth season.

There are no further details confirmed at this point, but it’s pretty safe to presume that Game of Thrones will return with its third season in April 2013 and that Season 6 of True Blood will follow with its presumed 12 episodes in June. Of course, as we reported in May, Season 6 will be the first as showrunner for current co-executive producer Mark Hudis, who takes over the reigns from Alan Ball at the conclusion of Season 5.

True Blood Season 5, starring Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell, Ryan Kwanten, Rutina Wesley, Alexander Skarsgård, Christopher Meloni, Chris Bauer, Kristin Bauer van Straten, Lauren Bowles, Valentina Cervi, Nelsan Ellis, Scott Foley, Janina Gavankar, Lucy Griffiths, Todd Lowe, Joe Manganiello, Michael McMillian, Denis O’Hare, Jim Parrack, Carrie Preston, and Deborah Ann Woll, airs Sundays at 9/8c on HBO.