'True Blood': Robert Patrick is Alcide's dad

The ever-expanding universe of "True Blood" will grow by yet another person this season -- and also flash back to a time when werewolf Alcide was just a pup.

The HBO series has signed Robert Patrick to a recurring part as Alcide's (Joe Manganiello) father, Jackson, True-Blood.net reports. He'll make his first appearance in the season's ninth episode -- which will flash back to the 1980s, when Alcide was a teenager and very much looked up to his old man. Now, though, Jackson is a shell of the man he once was.

Additionally, The Hollywood Reporter says Jackson's own father owed a debt to Eric (Alexander Skarsgard), and by way of repayment he convinced Alcide to help Sookie (Anna Paquin) look for Bill (Stephen Moyer) back in Season 3.

Patrick ("Terminator 2," "The Unit") also stars in ABC's new drama "Last Resort," which is set to premiere in the fall.