True Blood‘s upcoming seventh and final season has already claimed its first victim.
Luke Grimes, who joined the HBO hit in Season 6 as Jessica’s (Deborah Ann Woll) brooding, soulful vamp-camp lover James, has unexpectedly left the series.
An HBO spokesperson confirmed Grimes’ exit, saying, “The role of James is being recast due to the creative direction of the character.”
The Brothers & Sisters alum asked to be let out of his contract after he learned what producers had in store for James in Season 7.
Grimes recently joined the Fifty Shades of Grey movie as Christian Grey’s brother.
Production on True Blood‘s farewell season begins next month ahead of a June 2014 premiere.
