Jessica Hamby is a young vampire turned by Bill Compton as decreed by the vampire tribunal. She is currently a waitress at Merlotte's Bar and Grill and was in a relationship with Hoyt Fortenberry.

Contents 1 History 2 Season 1 3 Season 2 4 Season 3 5 Season 4 6 Powers & Abilities 7 Quotes 8 Behind the scenes

HistoryEdit

Jessica grew up in a God-fearing middle-class family in Louisiana who home-schooled her. Her parents were devout Christians who stressed strict studies, good grades and, of course, faith in Jesus. Her father beat her with his belt for the smallest error in her chores or bad grades. Her mother was either too oblivious to notice or simply ignored the unpleasantness, an optimist to a fault.

Her family life was very repressed. Every privilege was earned through chores and/or studies. She was not allowed a cell phone or a computer. She was only allowed to listen to Christian music, and her clothes were plain, old-fashioned hand-me-downs, particularly knee-length dresses. She was taught to act and sit like a proper lady, and was forced to take up the clarinet.

However, being a 17 year old girl, she was not completely blind to popular culture. Jessica listened to different genres of music at school and talked with her friends about the latest events. One afternoon, after her friends suggested sneaking out to a classmate's party, Jessica readily agreed. It was her first time doing something so disobedient, and she knew she'd pay dearly if caught. Of course, she never imagined she would pay for her night of fun with her mortal life.

Season 1Edit

Jessica appears during a meeting of the 'Tribunal' - the Magister was passing his sentence onto Bill Compton. Unknown to her then, Bill had staked Longshadow and was ordered to create a new vampire. Surrounded by vampires and the Magister, Bill bites and turns Jessica into a vampire. Jessica was buried with her Maker, completing her transformation into a vampire.

Her new condition did not depress her; in fact, she was overjoyed by the new world now available to her. No more Christian music, no more church, no more clarinet, and no more of her father's belt! More than anything, Jessica was eager to explore her new senses and hunting skills, and the opportunity to be evil and naughty, to dance at a bar and dress inappropriately.

Her maker Bill initially left her in the care of Eric Northman, the vampire Sheriff of Area 5, as he had other matters to attend to. Jessica didn't mind; Eric and his own progeny, Pam, taught how to feed like 'a real vampire'. The rules were lax, and she was allowed to dress as she wanted and act as she wanted. For the first time in her life, there were no restrictions on what she could do or say.

Season 2Edit

Eric Northman soon grew impatient with Jessica's immaturity, so he gave her back to Bill and refused to look after her anymore. As her Maker, Jessica was Bill's responsibility. Jessica moved into the old Compton house and, at first, did not want to mainstream. She hated the taste of Tru Blood, and had to mix several different 'blood' types to create a flavor she liked.

Jessica and Sookie Stackhouse, however, bonded quickly. Sookie agreed to take Jessica to visit her family for the last time , on the condition that Jessica stay inside the car. Jessica betrayed Sookie and ran inside the house. She hugged her grief-stricken mother and little sister, who had thought she had been kidnapped. When her father came home, he initially embraced her, but quickly reverted back to his old, abusive ways, chastising her for running away and stressing her family.

This provoked Jessica to fight back. She nearly killed her father with the same belt he would beat her with. Sookie watched in horror, as Jessica was far stronger and unable to stop. Bill appeared at the house but could not enter because he wasn't yet invited in. Bill glamoured Jessica's little sister into letting him into her house.

He rushed in and stopped Jessica before she could bite and kill Mr. Hamby. Bill glamored the Hamby family so they would forget the evening ever happened. He showed his anger toward Sookie for bringing Jessica to her family's house.

Before her trip to Dallas with Sookie and Bill, Jessica met Hoyt Fortenberry at Merlotte's Bar and Grill, where she had gone to find someone to feed on. Hoyt quickly noticed Jessica and sat down in front of her. He asked what she wanted to order and she asked for Tru Blood, revealing herself as a vampire.

Hoyt was accepting of her being a vampire, and the two quickly bonded. They ended their night back at the Compton house. The two shared their first kiss on Bill's sofa. Jessica's fangs protruded as she became further aroused. Jessica was first embarrassed and pulled away while covering her mouth, but Hoyt quickly told her that it was natural.

He told her that he liked her for who she was. Soon after, Bill stormed in and threw Hoyt out of the house. After talking with Sookie, Bill felt some compassion about the situation and went to the mall to buy Jessica new clothes.

When Bill and Sookie went to Dallas Jessica joined them. Sookie convinced Bill that it would be good for both Jessica and Bill. While in Dallas, Bill taught her to glamour people--a skill at which Jessica excelled. Jessica was, at first, excited to be included in the trip and enjoyed being able to sleep in a bed again.

However, when she tried to use the hotel's room service menu to order a willing human to drink from, Bill caught her and scolded her for it. He sent her to her room with orders to drink Tru Blood only. Jessica missed Hoyt and used the cell phone she got from glamouring Leon. The couple began to have a long distance relationship via telephone conversations.

Hoyt's mother, Maxine Fortenberry, did not approve of Jessica. Because of his mother, Hoyt stopped calling and texting Jessica. Jessica was greatly upset, not realizing it was because Hoyt's mother had canceled his cell phone service. After boldly announcing to his mother that Jessica was a vampire, Hoyt left and drove to Dallas to see Jessica.

When he arrived, he explained to Jessica why he had not made contact. After spending some time together in Jessica's hotel room, Hoyt confessed he was a 28-year old virgin. Jessica was very accepting and she confessed she was also a virgin. The following night after Hoyt placed rose petals over the bed and lit blood-scented candles, the two finally made love.

After abruptly returning to Bon Temps, they attempted to have sex again. They discover that her hymen had grown back and always would causing sex to be painful for Jessica every time. After Hoyt's mother (under Maryann's influence) insulted Jessica, she lost her patience and attacked Maxine. She bit her before being pulled off by Hoyt.

Angry, Hoyt said that Bill had been right about her all along--that she was dangerous. Jessica flew into a rage as Hoyt and his mother left. In the season finale, once the town returned to normal, it appeared that Jessica might make amends with Hoyt. However, she is later seen in the company of a truck driver, and, while he thinks she wants to have sex, she feeds on him instead.

Season 3Edit

Jessica drains the trucker, killing him. She quickly regrets it and tries to turn him, but it doesn't work. ("Bad Blood") She is alerted to a kidnapped Bill's whereabouts by Bill himself. She doesn't know exactly what is happening when Bill calls her, but when Sookie shows up for a second time asking about him, she realizes it was Bill who was calling her. They look for her maker but only find his trashed car with an unidentified dead body inside.

While at Fangtasia, Jessica asks Pam how one knows when to stop feeding and how to take care of a human corpse in a hypothetical situation. Pam suggests getting a chainsaw from a hardware store. Once she arrives with the chainsaw, she realizes the trucker's body is missing. She calls Pam since she is the only other vampire who she knows besides Bill, who is currently missing in action, and Pam quickly tells her she should be happy about not having a dead body in her home. ("Beautifully Broken")

Jessica is confronted by a vampire named Franklin, who pulls the trucker's severed head from a paper bag. He tells Jessica he will help keep the corpse a secret in exchange for information on Bill Compton. ("It Hurts Me Too")

Jessica is hired by Sam Merlotte as a hostess at Merlotte's Bar and Grill. While working, Jessica runs into Chip, an old classmate from Bible study. He is stunned to see her alive since her parents, being glamoured by Bill and not remembering their previous visit, have been telling people she is dead. Jessica glamours Chip and convinces him that he never saw her. ("9 Crimes") After a fight with Arlene Fowler Bellefleur, Jessica glamours all her customers not to tip her. She later regrets it and glamours the last customer into giving Arlene a big tip- after Jessica successfully feeds on the woman, without harming her. ("I Got a Right to Sing the Blues")

After Bill returns to Bon Temps, he releases her as his maker. Jessica, not wanting to be alone however, declines to leave. The two reconcile and Bill trains Jessica to fight vampires and werewolves. Later that night, Jessica and Bill fight two werewolves in Sookie's house. After one escapes outside, Jessica follows, kills and drinks from him. She is captured by Russell Edgington, who bites her neck in front of Bill. Bill convinces Russell to let her go. ("Night on the Sun")

Hoyt shows up at Merlotte's with his new girlfriend Summer, and the couple are seated by a visibly upset Jessica. Hoyt tells Jessica he still has feelings for her and doesn't like Summer. Jessica becomes emotional, and Tommy Mickens only sees the end of the conversation which adds to his hatred of Hoyt. Hoyt tells Jessica that he loves her before he leaves Merlotte's. As he leaves, he is attacked by Tommy (who has shifted into his dog form). Jessica comes to the rescue, telling Hoyt she loves him too. Injured, Hoyt drinks from Jessica so his wounds will heal. ("Everything Is Broken")

After Russell's appearance on TBBN, humans burn a cross on Bill and Jessica's front lawn. Jessica wants to hunt them down, but Bill convinces her that now is not the time for revenge. ("I Smell a Rat")

Jessica and Hoyt get back together. They tell each other how badly they missed one another. When things start getting serious, Jessica tells him about killing the trucker. She explains she's not going to stop drinking human blood and Hoyt immediately offers his own neck. Jessica goes right for it and Hoyt seems to like the experience. ("Fresh Blood")

At the end of the season she is seen moving into a small house with Hoyt. The camera pans away to show a small voo-doo like doll on the floor. Maxine and Summer are also seen purchasing guns and wooden bullets at a nearby gun shop. ("Evil is Going On")

Season 4Edit

Jessica and Hoyt are seen living together for over a year. There is obvious tension when Hoyt arrives home. He gets angry at Jessica for not cooking him dinner, after working all day. Later, Hoyt brings Jessica to Fangtasia for a date night. ("She's Not There")

Jessica has the urge to go back to Fangtasia. She leaves to buy Hoyt some Advil, but after seeing a sign to Shreveport, she heads to Fangtasia. As soon as she enters, she approaches the young guy she saw while there with Hoyt. She feeds on him in the bathroom. Sookie, who is also there, confronts Jessica. She quickly tells Sookie to mind her own business. ("You Smell Like Dinner")

Feeling guilty for biting another human, Jessica goes to her maker Bill for advice. She returns home to tell Hoyt the truth. Hurt and angry, Hoyt and Jessica argue before she decides to glamour him into forgetting. ("If You Love Me, Why Am I Dyin'?")

Jason makes it to a main road and collapses. Hoyt and Jessica are driving by in their truck when they spot him. Jessica runs toward Jason and makes him drink her blood. The headlights from the truck causing a beautiful glow around Jessica, as Jason opens his eyes and sees her. ("I'm Alive and on Fire")

Jessica and Hoyt put Jason in his bed and let him sleep. Hoyt thanks Jessica for saving his best friend's life. He tries to kiss her, but Jessica is cold and distant. Hoyt asks what's wrong, but Jessica swears nothing is wrong. Hoyt still feels as though something's wrong. Hoyt stays with Jason and Jessica leaves. Later, Jason has a sexual dream about Jessica, and Hoyt seems to keep interrupting. ("Me and the Devil")

Bill called Jessica to tell her about Antonia's plan. He silvered her and himself to prevent falling under Marnie's influence, but Jessica broke her chains and killed the guard Bucky to get the key to the cell. She manages to get to the ground floor, unlock and throw open the front doors.("Cold Grey Light of Dawn")

Just as Jessica is about to walk out into the sunlight, Jason tackles her back inside the house. He kicks the doors shut but is attacked by Jessica. Fortunately, Antonia and her coven cease their necromancy and the spell over Jessica fades. She kisses Jason, thanking him for saving her life. After she is put back in her chains, Jessica has a dream about breaking up with Hoyt (killing him in the process) and getting in Jason's truck. In reality, Jessica does go over to break it off, but Hoyt Fortenberry ends it on his own, kicking her out of their house in the process and going on a vampire-hating rampage & drinking binge. She goes to Jason, wanting to be with him, but gets a completely different reaction. He takes back his invitation, making her fly out of the house.("Spellbound")

With nowhere else to go, Jessica stays with Bill. She cries out her troubles to Nan, who tells her that after listening to her whining, she's now glad with her decision not to become a maker.("Let's Get Out of Here")

The next night, Hoyt sends Jason over to Jessica with a box holding all her stuff. She takes the box and invites Jason in, but Jason tries to resist, not thinking it's a good idea. The next moment, we see them together in the bed of Jason's pickup truck, having sex.("Let's Get Out of Here")

Powers & Abilities Edit

Jessica has the powers of a vampire such as superhuman strength, speed, senses, immortality and healing. Bill teaches her the common vampire ability to glamor humans, and she seems to have a naturally heightened talent for it, as Bill finds it difficult to override her glamor of Leon.

She also recently demonstrated that she can glamor as many as two people simultaneously, something Eric (an Elder) did not or could not do when dealing with multiple Soldiers of the Sun. She overpowers her father, a man much larger than her, and eviscerates a werewolf. Due to her age, she is weaker than her superiors such as Bill and Eric. Her weaknesses include a stake to the heart, silver, fire and sunlight (though sunlight will kill a vampire of her age much slower than an older vampire such as Bill or Eric).

QuotesEdit

• "Hi Daddy!"
• "I can eat who I want!"
• "Lady, you have no idea how little control I have over my actions! You also do not know I have not eaten in day!
• (To Bill about Maxine): "Oh, thank god you're home. She's gone like totally batshit!"
• "Yeah, nazi werewolves!"
• (To Eric) Excuse me! I can hear you, mister rude! I wanna go to the bar. I wanna be one of those dancers! I'm hungry!

Bill: "To your room, please. Tru Blood."
Jessica: "You are going to be so sorry when I get an eatin' disorder!"

Eric: "You want to stay with your maker, don't you?"
Jessica: "No, he's a dick! Dick, dick, dick!"

Jessica:: You're cute. Can I sit on your lap?
Eric: No.
Jessica:: (whining) Why? Nobody let's me have any fun. Fuckers!

Bill: Stop!
Jessica: Why?
Bill: Because we need to talk.
Jessica: Why?
Bill: Because there are things you must learn.
Jessica: Why?
Bill: Because you are no longer human.
Jessica: Why?
Bill: Because, as I've been trying to explain to you at length, you have been made vampire!
Jessica: (suddenly scared) Why?

Behind the scenes Edit

• Jessica Hamby is played by American actress Deborah Ann Woll.
• Jessica does not appear in any of the books by Charlaine Harris which are the basis for the True Blood TV series. Jessica is an entirely new character created by Alan Ball. She was used to showcase in detail what a newborn vampire is like, cast to star as a love interest for Hoyt and be something of a daughter figure to Bill and Sookie. She seems to be the replacement for Bubba since his character is not allowed due to legal issues with the Presley estate.
• Jessica is one of three original main characters who did not appear in any form in Charlaine Harris' books. The other two main characters not present in the books are Tommy Mickens and Jesus Velasquez.