"Southland" actor joining "True Blood"

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – "Southland" co-star Kevin Alejandro is staying in the South with another high-profile series gig, joining Alan Ball's vampire drama "True Blood."

Alejandro, expected to appear in almost every episode of the HBO series' upcoming third season, will play Jesus, a Latino orderly who is taking care of Ruby Jean Reynolds (Alfre Woodard) at her care facility and becomes involved with her son, Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis).

Alejandro continues to be attached as a regular to "Southland," which recently moved from NBC to TNT. Because of the cable network's plan to air the 13 produced episodes of the cop drama, starting January 12, before making a decision whether to order a second season, Alejandro can accommodate "Blood" while keeping his obligation to "Southland."

Alejandro co-starred on "Shark," "Drive," "Ugly Betty" and recently had a recurring role on "Weeds." On "Blood," he joins such other new additions as Denis O'Hare, Marshall Allman, Theo Alexander, Grant Bowler, Joe Manganiello and Lindsay Pulsipher.