Eric Northman

Season(s)

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

First seen

"Escape from Dragon House"

Last seen

"Save Yourself"

Appeared in

55 episodes (see below)

Mentioned in

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Also Known As

Ike Applebaum

Status

Undead

Age

1,100+

Date of birth

900AD
made vampire 930AD

Date of death

{{{Death}}}

({{{DeathEp}}})

Origin

Sweden

Profession

Vampire Sheriff of Area 5 (formerly)
Co-owner of Fangtasia
Viking (formerly)
Chancellor of the Vampire Authority (formerly)

Species

Vampire

Powers

• All vampiric powers
• Flight

Family members

Ulfrik - Father (deceased)
Astrid - Mother (deceased)
Unnamed Sister (deceased)
Godric - Maker (committed suicide)
Pam - Progeny
Nora Gainesborough - Vampire Sister

Portrayed by

Alexander Skarsgård

[[:Category:{{{Images}}}|Images]]

"Everything ends...even the immortals."

―Eric Northman to Pam ^[src]

Eric Northman is a major character in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth seasons of True Blood. He is played by starring cast member Alexander Skarsgård and debuts in "Escape from Dragon House". Eric was born in Sweden during the Anglo-Saxon period, 900AD. He was turned 930AD, making him over a 1,000 years old. Eric is the vampire sheriff of Louisiana Area 5 which encompasses Bon Temps. He owns the vampire bar Fangtasia in Shreveport. Eric is 6'5" tall, has blond hair and blue eyes.

Personality Edit

"If I cannot go on, you must make a new vampire. It is your time to be a maker."

―Eric Northman to Pam as they discuss their future involving Russell Edgington

Eric is shown to be calculating yet loyal and generally willing to absolve humans that aggravate him, unless they have grievously crossed him. His loyalty as Progeny to his Maker Godric was so strong, that he fell to his knees in tears when Godric decided to end his life by meeting the sun ("I Will Rise Up"). Eric demanded to burn beside him and claimed that he could not live without Godric. The only thing that kept Eric from meeting the sun was Godric's last command as Eric's maker. Telling Eric not to stay on the roof with him.

Eric has a great capacity for loyalty and affection, considering vampire nature. He demonstrated this with his progeny Pam ("Fresh Blood") and his growing love and affection for Sookie Stackhouse. When he is reunited with his Vampire sister Nora Gainesborough, they show great affection for one another. Eric claims he would do anything for Nora.

Being a calm and methodical individual, Eric is mostly in control of his emotions. He rarely loses his temper, but has shown a great capacity for violence when pushed. Eric is unconcerned about being viewed as "the bad guy" merely seeing his actions as a means to an end. He is often secretive and can be somewhat of a trickster, but is honest and direct.

Eric is confident enough to not think he needs to prove himself. He has a joy of living and a sense of humor uncommon for vampires.

After his memory was erased by Marnie Stonebrook, Eric's personality changes entirely. Losing his memory showed the Eric behind the mask. He is gentle and sweet towards Sookie and is even disturbed by the horrible things he has done when he finds out about them. Upon gaining his memory back he claims he isn't just the old or new Eric, he is both.

History Edit

Powers & Abilities Edit

Eric has the common powers and weaknesses of a vampire. Eric is over 1,000 years old but retains the appearance of a young middle-aged man. As a vampire, Eric has an infinite lifespan. He does not physically age nor can he die from natural causes such as disease or old age. According to Queen Sophie Ann, Eric is the oldest and strongest vampire citizen of Louisiana. He demonstrates his superior strength over her when he forcefully throws her to the floor and threatens to rip-off her head, while all she could do was submit. Eric once kicked a man across Fangtasia without much effort and sent Lafayette to the floor with just a flick of his wrist. He manhandled, overpowered and tore Royce Williams apart with his bare hands. He easily ripped Roy's heart out of his chest with one hand and has decapitated both humans and younger vampires with only a karate chop. Eric was however, far weaker than his maker Godric who was over 2,000 years at the time of his death, as well as Russell Edgington, a vampire around 3,000 years at the time of his death. Eric can move at speeds that make him appear as a blur. This allows him to cover short distances instantaneously and longer distances in short periods of time. Even a gun-fired bullet appears to move in slow motion to him. Eric heals rapidly and fully from any non-fatal injury. He is exempt from all human diseases and illnesses with the exception of Hepatitis D. Eric possesses heightened senses and can see in complete darkness. It is revealed in Season 2 that Eric has the ability to fly. As a maker he had the ability to call and command his progeny, Pam. He lost these abilities when he released her.

Eric is the fifth oldest vampire introduced in True Blood behind Russell Edgington, Godric, Dieter Braun and Salome Agrippa. Due to the others all meeting True Death, Eric is currently the oldest vampire on the show.

EtymologyEdit

Eric is term for "Erik." Erik comes from Old Norse, (c. 1300). The first part meaning "one" or "alone." And the last part "rik" meaning "Ruler."

Images Edit

There is an image gallery for Eric Northman

AppearancesEdit