By Christina Radish

Anna Paquin at the premiere of "True Blood" held at the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood, Calif. on September 4, 2008.

Mixing romance, suspense, mystery and humor, the series is created and executive produced by Alan Ball (Six Feet Under), and based on the popular Sookie Stackhouse novels of Charlaine Harris. The first New Zealander and second-youngest Oscar winner ever (she was just 11 years old when she won Best Supporting Actress for The Piano), 26-year-old Anna Paquin spoke to MediaBlvd Magazine about how her desire to play complex dramatic characters led her to this unusual role.

MediaBlvd Magazine> Were you looking for a television series, or did this just came your way and you had to do it?

Anna Paquin> I had to audition for it. I had to go kick some doors down. I have always been impressed with the series work that HBO does. I’d done a film for them (Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee), a year and a half or so ago, and had an amazing experience. It’s extraordinary to get to carry on with a character, the way we do on a series, that you just never get to do it film. That’s really exciting. I love my job. I love working. I love getting into the texture of every character, and the relationships. It’s just such a beautiful thing to get to continue it.

MediaBlvd> What’s the best thing about this project? How does it stack up against some of the things you’ve done in the past?

Anna> Without slamming anything else I’ve ever done, I’ve never wanted anything more. I fought hard to get this part and I absolutely love it. I work with some of the most talented people I’ve ever worked with.

MediaBlvd> What do you think of your wardrobe on the show?

Anna> My wardrobe is awesome! I’m practically naked the entire time. What’s not to love? No, that took a little bit of getting used to. But, they also give me this nice spray tan, so I feel like I’m wearing an extra layer of clothing that’s actually not really there. I did feel quite naked. I bought a lot of little tiny shorts to wear around before I got on set because it was really weird. You really feel like you’re wearing your underwear for the first week that you’re in hot pants.

MediaBlvd> Do you have a workout routine to fit into those skimpy clothes?

Anna> I’ve always been really active, but it becomes bikini season, all year long. What girl would not spend a considerable amount of time making sure that, to the best of one’s ability, you feel comfortable in your own skin? I just work out and I go to the gym. I run. I box. I do Pilates.  I take dance class. I like doing stuff. I’m learning to skateboard, which is actually a lot harder than it looks, but it’s fun!

MediaBlvd> Why do you think people are so fascinated with vampires, and why does Sookie like Bill, in particular?

Anna> They’re sexy. They’re dangerous. What girl doesn’t like the bad boy? It’s the unknown. It’s mysterious. He’s from another time. He’s experienced things that she can’t even imagine and seen whole lifetimes of things, and she’s lived in one small town for her entire life. The big thing is that she’s telepathic, but she can’t hear his thoughts, so it’s very peaceful with him.

MediaBlvd> What qualities do you, personally, look for in a man?

Anna> I don’t have a type. I like smart people. I like nice people. I like good people.

MediaBlvd> Did you read scary books, or see a lot of horror or fantasy films growing up?

Anna> No. I get nightmares. I’m not really into that.

MediaBlvd> How are you around blood? Are you squeamish at all?Anna> I’m totally fine.

MediaBlvd> What’s it like working with a cast made up of a New Zealander, an Australian, a Swede and a Brit?

Anna> We’re a very multi-cultural cast. I think it’s really great!

MediaBlvd> How do you guys all do with the Southern accent?

Anna> We have great dialect coaches, but we don’t really use them anymore.

MediaBlvd> Did you have any preconceived notions about what Southern women in the States were like?

Anna> I’ve spent some time in the South, though not a great deal. I’ve watched a lot of films. A lot of her “Sookie-ness” is written into the books, and that was very helpful.

MediaBlvd> What is it like on set, when you are supposed to be reading minds? Is it just quiet?

Anna> For the first couple of episodes, I just felt like a massive idiot because I was sitting there thinking, “What does someone look like when they’re reading someone’s mind and you’re trying to make sure everyone doesn’t know that you’re reading their mind?” I usually have someone read the lines off camera for timing, and so you’re not just standing there, staring blankly like a big dummy. Now, we’re all used to it, so we have this routine.

MediaBlvd> Did you get to do anything off-set while you were shooting in Louisiana?

Anna> Not really. We have so little time there that we spent pretty much every single second shooting.

MediaBlvd> What do you do when you aren’t at work?

Anna> I’m staying in Los Angeles. I don’t have a place in New York anymore, where I was living for eight years, because my lease was up when I came out here. Now, I’m kind of homeless. I’m a gypsy. 

MediaBlvd> Did you just throw all your stuff away?

Anna> No. I don’t have a lot of stuff.

MediaBlvd> What are you currently watching on TV?

Anna> I just learned how to use my DVR and download stuff on iTunes. I’m not usually actually home when stuff is on TV. I’m usually behind. I do love the Holly Hunter series, Saving Grace. I downloaded the whole first season of that show. I’m usually a few seasons behind. I went back to New Zealand during the writer’s strike and watched it. I hate waiting until the next week. I’m not patient, in that way.

MediaBlvd> You won an Academy Award when you were so young. Did that really set the bar for everything else?

Anna> I get to play with really awesome, talented, interesting people, and have a career that I find exciting. I got to jump to the head of the queue when I was 11, so that was great!

MediaBlvd> Where do you keep the award, now that you’re a gypsy?

Anna> I think it’s at my brother’s house. I’m pretty sure that’s where it is.