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Christopher Meloni joins cast of "True Blood"
Chris Meloni attends the 12th Annual Make Believe on Broadway gala on Nov. 14, 2011, in New York.
(Credit: Getty)(CBS) Christopher Meloni is sinking his teeth into a new role.
The former "Law & Order: SVU" star has joined the cast of "True Blood," the network confirmed Wednesday.
According to Entertainment Weekly, the actor will be a series regular, playing an "ancient, powerful vampire who holds the fate of Bill and Eric in his hands."
It was reported earlier this month that he was being eyed for a "major role" in the show's fifth season.
Meloni recently ended a 12-year run on "SVU," where he played Detective Elliot Stabler.
This new role marks the actor's return to HBO - he previously starred as inmate Chris Keller on the network's prison drama "Oz."
Tell us: Do you think Meloni will make a good vampire?
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