James and Jessica in True Blood Season 6, Episode 6: “Don’t You Feel Me"

Hot vampire down, y'all!

True Blood Season 7 will be minus one big piece of eye candy when it premieres in June. According to TVLine, Luke Grimes (James) is leaving the show, after just one season with us. An HBO spokesperson said the role of James will be recast "due to the creative direction of the character."

What does that mean?

A source close to Luke told TVLine he asked to be let out of his Truebie contract after learning what was in store for his character. The insider said he joined True Blood to work with his Forever co-star Deborah Ann Woll (Jessica). “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."
At least he's not completely out of work. He'll be seen as Christian Grey's brother in the Fifty Shades of Grey movie. But how disappointing to lose the Brothers & Sisters alum as James.

Do you think it's a good idea to recast or should they just get rid of the role completely? It's going to be so disorienting for viewers to see someone new in the same part. We were really looking forward to seeing more of Luke as James. Oh well...