Luke Grimes will be leaving the cast of True Blood because of the Fifty Shades of Grey production schedule that was pushed back from its original start date. Though Grimes won't be back, his character will be.
Grimes played James, who was first introduced in the sixth season, reports Deadline. Showrunner Brian Buckner has said he will be recasting the role due previously made plans for the character's arc in the upcoming final season. He also noted that James' first season was only the beginning of the character.
HBO has said, "The role of James is being recast due to the creative direction of the character." Production of True Blood is set to begin in January and as Fifty Shades didn't start production until Dec. 2, it's little surprise that Grimes has had to exit the show.
As previously reported, Grimes was cast back in October to play the role of Christian Grey's brother, Eliott. He was cast shortly after Jamie Dornan came aboard as Christian once Sons of Anarchy's Charlie Hunnam dropped out.
image: Amazon