Those who enjoyed the great screen chemistry between True Blood’s Deborah Ann Woll and newcomer Luke Grimes will be disappointed to know Grimes is exiting the series and won’t be a part of the vampire drama’s upcoming seventh and final season. His character James, however, will remain on the show, as he’s set to be recast.
TVLine reports that Grimes, who played the dreamy imprisoned vampire James, has unexpectedly left True Blood. HBO has confirmed the news, stating that “The role of James is being recast due to the creative direction of the character.” Which seems like an intentionally vague definition that explains very little about the situation, however TVLine’s sources say Grimes asked to be let out of his contract “after he learned what producers had in store for James in Season 7.”
Knowing True Blood as we do, we might jump to the conclusion that Grimes objected to something that was either very sexual or very violent — or both, however TVLine’s insider information suggests Grimes’ exit may have something to do with Woll. The site’s source noted the actor’s interest in working with Deborah Ann Woll when he signed on for the show, and how he was “disappointed to learn that they were going in a completely different direction” with the character in the upcoming season. This, after he read some scripts for Season 7. So that may give us a better idea of what went wrong, as well as a vague potential-spoiler about James and Jessica’s future. But we can only speculate.
Either way, it’s a big disappointment, as Grimes and Woll really clicked on screen. Woll’s character Jessica found herself nearly forced into a sexual encounter with Grimes’ James when the two were imprisoned together. James was a gentleman enough to refuse, despite being tortured for it…
James and Jessica connected in a more voluntary way later on.
Prior to True Blood, Luke Grimes was know for his role in ABC’s Brothers & Sisters. Coming up, he’s set to play Christian Grey’s brother Elliott in the feature adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey, so fans have that to look forward to next year. We'll have to wait and see if he decides to stick with feature work or find another role on television after that.
While Grimes departs the series, his role will be recast. True Blood will begin production on Season 7 next month, and HBO has the drama set to return one last time next June (2014).
