'True Blood' renewed for season five

True Blood has been renewed for a fifth season.

HBO released a statement today confirming the return of the supernatural series, which is currently in the midst of its fourth season.

"I am thrilled that True Blood continues to enjoy a phenomenal reception from both subscribers and critics," said the network's president of programming Michael Lombardo. "Alan Ball and his gifted team have devised the greatest thrill ride on TV."

Meanwhile, showrunner Ball expressed his enthusiasm for the renewal, saying that he has thoroughly enjoyed his work on the series thus far.

"I remain amazed and delighted by the enthusiasm of our viewers," he said. "I can't imagine having more fun than this."

Production on new episodes will begin later this year for a summer 2012 debut.

In late July, Ball announced that he had closed a deal to return for a fifth season of True Blood. The series creator previously revealed that he is unsure if he will return for a sixth year on the vampire drama.

Earlier this week, former True Blood star Denis O'Hare teased that he would be returning to the HBO series at the start of the fifth season.

True Blood airs Sundays at 9pm on HBO.