True Blood Season 7 Spoilers on Arlene's possible new boyfriend

True Blood returns to HBO this summer for Season 7, the last in the show's run. And in the course of those final 10 episodes, it seems like Arlene might get a new love interest.

The "Spoiler Chat" column at E! Online reports the following from Carrie Preston, who plays Arlene on the show:

"Give me something to sink my teeth into on True Blood, please?
Have you heard about Arlene's new vampire 'friend?'  'I haven't met Riley Smith yet, but he is certainly very talented and I'm really looking forward to working with him and seeing what the writers do with that storyline,' Carrie Preston told us. The vamp may be enamored with her, but will Arlene fall under his spell? 'We do know that Arlene has not been the most open-minded person throughout the series, so I myself am curious to see how open she lets her mind go.'"

This tracks with what the "Ask Ausiello" column at TVLine reported last month:

"Is it too early for True Blood scoop? I could use some hot Bon Temps news in my snow-filled life!
Is there life after love for poor widow Arlene? My guess is mmmhmmm after reading a new Season 7 breakdown for the recurring role of Keith, a romantic vampire who moonlights (get it?) as a drummer in James' (Nathan Parsons) band and who takes an instant liking to a certain grieving waitress. Now I have a Q for you, Jenna - did we know that NuJames had a band?!?!"

Do you think Arlene will go into a full-fledged romance? Let us know in the comments below.