With True Blood entering it seventh season in 2014, there is one question that is likely on most fans' minds: Is Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgård) really dead?

In the True Blood season 6 finale that aired Sunday, Aug. 18, Eric was last seen bursting into flames on a snowy mountain in Sweden. The fae blood that he and the other vampires drank to sustain themselves had run out, causing him to burn from head to toe.

Directly after this scene, the episode jumped six months ahead and Eric was not seen at any point. This left fans wondering, was Eric really dead? Pam (Kristen Bauer van Straten) told Tara (Rutina Wesley) that she was going to go searching for Eric, and she was not seen after the six months later jump either, so she may have saved him. The finale left this plotline hanging, making fans wait another year to see what happens.

Most of the main characters have been confirmed to be returning for season 7, including Sookie (Anna Paquin), Bill (Stephen Moyer), Jason (Ryan Kwanten), Tara, Alcide (Joe Manganiello), Sam (Sam Trammell), Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll), Pam, Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis), Andy (Chris Bauer), Arlene (Carrie Preston), Holly (Lauren Bowles) and Nicole (Jurnee Smollett).

True Blood Spoilers: Nelsan Ellis Confirms More Lafayette in the Future

Missing from this list, of course, is Eric, but so is Sarah Newlin (Anna Camp). Sarah was last seen driving away after almost getting killed by Jason. It has not been confirmed if she will be returning for season 7.

As for the early reports about the plot of season 7, the series will allegedly pick up with Sookie and Alcide continuing to date. This will cause major conflict with Bill, as seen by him pulling her aside in the season 6 finale to talk to her.

However, there will be a great problem at stake in season 7 for many of the vampires as the threat of Hep V spreads around.

Season 7 of True Blood will premiere in 2014.

Tags: true blood True Blood Season 7 Spoilers Spoilers