Did Luke Grimes Not Want to Play a Gay Guy On 'True Blood'?

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True Blood
may be entering its final season, but actor Luke Grimes, who played the vampire James, isn't going to be there for its conclusion.

According to Buzzfeed, it could be because Grimes was uncomfortable playing a gay character.

Former General Hospital regular Nathan Parsons has been cast to play the role now that Grimes dropped out. However, the actor's sudden departure from the show in December left many confused.

HBO previously released a statement to TVLine explaining, "The role of James is being recast due to the creative direction of the character."


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Now, sources close to the show tell Buzzfeed that the 30-year-old star actually quit because of a burgeoning romantic relationship between Grime's character and Nelsan Ellis' Lafayette.

According to the website's sources, Grimes told the True Blood writers once he received the scripts that he would be willing to play the character as someone Lafayette was attracted to, but not if it lead to a sexual relationship or involved scenes of same sex lovemaking or kissing.

According to a statement released by Grimes' rep, the actor left because of scheduling conflicts and not because he didn't want to play a gay character.

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Currently, he is appearing in a number of feature films scheduled for upcoming release, including American Sniper and Fifty Shades Of Grey.

Season 7 of True Blood premiered June 22 and airs Sunday nights at 9 p.m. on HBO.