ALEXANDER SKARSGÅRD FOR CALVIN KLEIN ENCOUNTER

Swedish-born Alexander Skarsgård stars as the face of the newest men’s fragrance from Calvin Klein: Encounter. The actor, who plays the Viking-turned-vampire Eric Northman on HBO’s True Blood, is the brand’s newest representation of what the fragrance bills itself to be: a “distinctive expression of unapologetic masculinity.”

The distillation of that masculine essence: a warm, woody fragrance which opens with mandarin, cardamom, and rum; has pepper, Egyptian jasmine, patchouli, and cognac at its heart; and at its base —agar wood, atlas cedarwood, and musk.The toilette is warm, sexy, and spicy—not unlike how fans characterize the sophisticated blood-sucker himself.

The Steven Klein-shot print ad campaign includes Skarsgård and model Lara Stone, who also happens to be the newest face of the brand’s Euphoria. In the visuals—the pair are set against a moody blue-black backdrop of Twilight-like shadows—you’re not certain if Skarsgård aims to kiss Stone or kill her, and with his victim-a-night Eric Northman past, it could be either.

The renowned Fabien Baron has directed the TV spot for the spritz.

And FYI: Skarsgård appears in Disconnect and What Maisie Knew, both of which are set to premiere during the current Toronto International Film Festival, officially beginning today.

Encounter Calvin Klein EDT, $67 (50 ml), www.encountercalvinklein.com, www.calvinkleinfragrances.com, www.thebay.com, www.sears.ca, www.shoppersdrugmart.ca, www.sephora.ca

PHOTO (ALEXANDER SKARSGÅRD): HBO CANADA