Tv reveals recast characters on a regular basis for quite a lot of causes, and typically much more than as soon as (looking at you, “Peaky Blinders”). Be that as it could, followers have been nonetheless a little bit shocked when heartthrob actor and nation singer Luke Grimes left the campy vampire sequence “True Blood” after season 6.
Created by Alan Ball, “True Blood” was a horny, wild present that starred an unbelievable ensemble forged enjoying quite a lot of people, vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, and different supernatural beings. It could possibly be a bit uneven however it was additionally numerous enjoyable, and in season 6, Grimes was launched as vampire James Kent, who was held captive with vampire Jessica (“Daredevil” star Deborah Ann Woll) in a horrible anti-vampire camp. Kent nearly instantly endeared himself to followers by defending Jessica from an unsettling experiment by refusing to take part and getting burned time and again because of this. He and Jessica ended up having a (relatively passionate) romantic relationship constructed on shared trauma, and he grew to become a welcome addition to the massive, bizarre prolonged “True Blood” discovered household.
Then, season 7 started and Kent was not performed by Grimes however by actor Nathan Parsons, who would additionally go on to star as Jackson Kenner on “The Originals.” Suffice it to say, followers have been a bit confused. Why did Kent get recast, and what occurred to Grimes? It is a little bit sophisticated, truthfully, and will depend on who you ask.
Grimes was allegedly uncomfortable with a queer storyline
In response to Buzzfeed, Grimes left “True Blood” after citing points with the “artistic route of his character.” Nevertheless, sources near the sequence alleged that he had been uncomfortable with a then-upcoming storyline by which Kent would have a romantic relationship with one other man — specifically, the drug seller, prepare dinner, and sometimes-witch Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis). Grimes denied these claims via his publicist, saying that he left the present due to scheduling conflicts that stemmed from him ramping up his film profession to affix the “Fifty Shades of Gray” movie sequence. Ellis himself, then again, had some selection phrases about the entire state of affairs.
Talking with Vulture in 2014, Ellis (who sadly died in 2017 on the age of 39), shared his emotions about Grimes’ departure:
“I imply, I can say I am not going to make a remark, however I simply suppose that, you are an actor, you are an actor on a present that is ‘True Blood,’ we’re all sitting there going, ‘You give up your job as a result of … actually?’ I am simply … I am over him. You give up your job since you do not wish to play a homosexual half? […] You must be open. However extra importantly, you make an announcement whenever you do one thing like that. I did a documentary referred to as ‘Rattling Great,’ about homosexual suicide, and also you make an announcement, an enormous assertion, whenever you go, ‘I do not wish to play this half as a result of it is homosexual.’ When you’ve got a toddler, you probably have a son, and he comes out as homosexual, what are you going to do? When you’ve got a daughter who comes out homosexual …? You simply made an announcement, and it has ripple results.”
Ellis went on to elucidate that he was offended on Ball’s behalf as nicely (Ball is overtly homosexual) and that he “did not like” what Grimes was saying by leaving the function as a result of he was afraid to “play homosexual.” If that’s certainly the case, and it appears extremely attainable, it is fairly homophobic of Grimes and intensely disappointing.
Grimes went on to star in additional conservative fare
Grimes went on to star in films just like the 2016 “Magnificent Seven” remake and Clint Eastwood’s “American Sniper,” however his largest function thus far is as Kayce Dutton on Taylor Sheridan’s hit sequence “Yellowstone.” That present equally garnered controversy when star Kevin Costner abruptly departed, however it carried out nicely sufficient to spawn a number of spin-offs, together with a potential show centered on Kayce Dutton, which might give Grimes a lot extra time enjoying the character. However whereas it is good that he was capable of pivot into tackling roles he is extra comfy with, it is deeply irritating that he appeared to go away “True Blood” as a result of he wasn’t comfy enjoying a queer character.
Actors are, after all, accustomed to portraying people strikingly totally different from who they are surely and spend their careers pretending to be all kinds of individuals. It is also everybody’s proper to do what they’re comfy with, and nobody ought to be compelled into something. It is likewise okay if an actor doesn’t want to kiss someone onscreen, however by leaving “True Blood” when he did, Grimes made it appear like he had an issue together with his character being bisexual. My man … you have been on “True Blood,” what did you count on? That sequence was a pansexual delight of bizarre pairings, and fortunately, Parsons did an awesome job changing Grimes as James. In that method, all of it labored out in the long run.
