We think all True Blood fans agree that one of the most popular and interesting characters on the show, that is full of interesting characters, is Kristin Bauer van Straten’s “Pam.” And while Pam’s been an integral part of Bon Temps life since season one, season five finally gave Eric’s progeny the chance to step into the spotlight as she became a maker and scored a few flashbacks that illuminated her pre-Louisiana life.

Now, with season five on DVD and season six set to premiere, ETOnline caught up with Kristin Bauer van Straten to reflect upon Pam’s past and find out how it will continue to inform her present. Below is part of that interview.

ETonline: Looking back on season five, what were your thoughts?
Kristin Bauer van Straten: Oh man, it was such a good Pam year. I waited so long for that backstory — just to know what it was and see what it looked like and once it arrived on paper, I thought it was just so perfect. It was so fun to get in the clothes, get in the locations that looked like 1905, see Alex [Skarsgard, who plays Eric] in 1905 clothes, to see my brothel. Everything about it explained Pam to me in a new way and that was my favorite part. Why is she so unsympathetic? Because she came from a hard life when it was hard to be a woman and she did this hard profession. Why is she a vampire who is the least apologetic about being a vampire? Because she chose that life. She forced Eric to change her. I loved that writing so much.

ETonline: You spent a large chunk of season five working with new actors, was it odd not to share all your scenes with Alexander Skarsgard, Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer?
Bauer van Straten: Very! I loved working with new people, but I did miss my usual crowd — especially Alex. I would visit The Authority set when I was done filming my day just to hang with my peeps. I had so much fun with Alex and Stephen and Anna. I mean, that’s who I started the show with. The first episode I ever did was us four, that’s what feels like home to me. So I really missed them, but I loved getting to know Rutina [Wesley, who plays Tara].

ETonline: What can you tease about where the relationship between Pam and Tara goes in season six?
Bauer van Straten: In typical True Blood fashion, just when you think the sh*t has hit the fan as much as it could, some more sh*t hits the fan. The characters are developing their relationships under fire, and that’s great fun for us actor and it keeps the pace up on all the situations. Everything from last year continues but there is some added heat this year.

ETonline: What else are you excited for fans to see in the new season?
Bauer van Straten: Everything! As [the premiere approaches], I get really excited and nervous and then I replay what we’ve filmed in my head — there’s so much adrenaline involved in it for me because those scenes are my babies. So, I can only judge the scenes I’m not in because I lose all perspective [laughs]. I get very excited to share the season with other people, but even more so, I get excited to watch the show and see how the whole thing was put together. It was a lot of night shoots, so it starts off with a bang, and I’m very excited to see it myself.

Read the rest of this interview (there’s more about Tara and Pam in Season 5) by going to: etonline.com