"True Blood" Exclusive: Luke Grimes Exits Prior to Seventh and Final Season, Role Will Be Recast
by Michael Ausiello
12/30/13


"True Blood‘s" upcoming seventh and final season has already claimed its first victim.

Luke Grimes, who joined the HBO hit in Season 6 as Jessica’s (Deborah Ann Woll) brooding, soulful vamp-camp lover James, has unexpectedly left the series, TVLine has learned exclusively.

When reached for comment, an HBO spokesperson confirmed Grimes’ exit, saying, “The role of James is being recast due to the creative direction of the character.”





Grimes’ rep declined to comment, but a source close to the "Brothers & Sisters" alum tells TVLine that the actor asked to be let out of his contract after he learned what producers had in store for James in Season 7.

“He initially joined the show because he wanted to work with Deborah Ann Woll,” says the insider. “But when he started reading the scripts for Season 7, he was disappointed to learn that they were going in a completely different direction with James.”

Grimes recently joined the Fifty Shades of Grey movie as Christian Grey’s brother.



Production on "True Blood‘s" farewell season begins next month ahead of a June 2014 premiere.

http://tvline.com/2013/12/30/true-blood-season-7-luke-grimes-leaving-james-recast/

"True Blood" Recast Exclusive: "Bunheads" Hunk is the New James, Replacing Luke Grimes
by Michael Ausiello
1/15/14


"True Blood" has found its new James.

TVLine has learned exclusively that "Bunheads" barkeep Nathan Parsons will step into the series-regular role previously played by Luke Grimes when the HBO hit returns with its seventh and final season this summer.

http://tvline.com/2014/01/15/true-blood-season-7-new-james-nathan-parsons-recast/

http://www.buzzfeed.com/louispeitzman/luke-grimes-left-true-blood-because-he-refused-to-play-gay

The actor, who was replaced by “Bunheads’” Nathan Parsons, objected to same-sex kissing and sex scenes that were part of the final season scripts he had read, according to Buzzfeed.
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#bouOqH2KSeMAbeMY.99

True Blood goes overboard with that kind of stuff, it's more for the shock value than being essential to the story-line. And not everyone is comfortable playing those parts, so you really can't blame the guy for opting out.

http://www.thewire.com/entertainment/2014/06/true-blood-cant-even-pander-to-its-audience-correctly-with-gay-dream-hookup/373686/

"Why not just give the fans what they want?” says Joe Reid. "The problem, of course, is that it's monstrously, almost hilariously pandering to its audience of gay men and the women who like the idea of gay men…This isn't a storyline. These aren't real people. There isn't even any expectation that Jason's dreams will ultimately lead him down the road to any kind of sexual awakening. It's just a tossed-off bone (no pun intended) to its audience, in lieu of anything real.” PLUS: Looking back at “True Blood’s” gay legacy (http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2014/06/25/true_blood_reviewed_why_hbo_s_vampire_show_is_a_queer_masterpiece.html), a “True Blood” fashion guide (http://observer.com/2014/06/a-true-blood-fashion-guide-how-fangtastic-are-you/), and Kristin Bauer van Straten (http://www.vulture.com/2014/06/true-blood-kristin-bauer-van-straten-interview-season-7.html) on Pam’s Eric issues.
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#okBXVliEpzKJueFI.99