On Friday we told you that True Blood creator Alan Ball was stepping down from his writing position on the show, and just today other entertainment sites are picking up the news.

Now HBO and Alan Ball have both issued statements about the decision.

Said the channel:

“When we extended our multi-year overall deal with Alan Ball in July 2011, we always intended that if we proceeded to True Blood’s sixth season that Alan would take a supervisory role on the series and not be the day-to-day showrunner. If we proceed to season six, the show will remain in the very capable hands of the talented team of writers and producers who have been with the show for a number of years. This is the best possible world for both HBO and Alan Ball. Alan will remain available as executive producer to consult and advise on True Blood and he will be free to develop new shows for both HBO and Cinemax. Banshee, on which Alan serves as executive producer, is the first in house series for Cinemax and is expected to begin production this spring.”

Said Ball:

“True Blood has been, and will continue to be, a highlight of not only my career but my life. Because of the fantastic cast, writers, producers and crew, with whom I have been lucky enough to work these past five years, I know I could step back and the show will continue to thrive as I look forward to new and exciting ventures.”

So both are promising that the show will remain as great as ever, and we certainly hope so! With the writers using author Charlaine Harris’ source material, and Ball having taught them well over the years, we’re confident things will be just fine.