True Blood has been casting new actors for season three left and right - Alfre Woodard here, Natasha Alam there - but it's saved one of its biggest new roles for today:

Joe Manganiello will take on the character of Sookie’s upcoming werewolf crush, Alcide Herveaux.

Fans familiar with Charlaine Harris’ book series know that Eric summons Alcide — described in casting notes as attractive, rough-around-the-edges, well-spoken and heroic - to help Sookie in her search for Bill.

Manganiello is best known for roles on One Tree Hill (as Owen) and How I Met Your Mother (as Brad). Think he's the right choice for Alcide?

As Entertainment Weekly reports, the show will soon cast Alcide’s on-again, off-again girlfriend Debbie Pelt.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.