Did 'True Blood' Actor Quit Over Gay Plotline?

Luke Grimes who played James on the HBO series "True Blood" allegedly left the popular drama series because he wasn't cool with playing a gay character, BuzzFeed reports.

Grimes suddenly left the show in December and at the time, HBO officials said he split because of "creative differences." But according to BuzzFeed's source, the actor left because he felt weird playing a gay character and a plot line where he would become romantically involved with Lafayette, the openly gay short-order cook / medium on "True Blood."

Grimes allegedly refused to participate in any same-sex kissing or sex scenes after receiving the first few scripts to the final season of "True Blood," according to the source. The source adds that the show's writers were unwilling to change the plot to what Grimes wanted.

According to Grimes' publicist, Craig Schneider, the actor left "True Blood" because of scheduling conflicts.

"Luke always had an out clause as a means of pursuing other opportunities which include 'The Shangri-La Suite,' followed by 'Fifty Shades of Grey,' and most recently, Clint Eastwood's 'American Sniper' with Bradley Cooper," Schneider wrote in an email to BuzzFeed. In a phone call to the website, Schneider said, "It had nothing to do with storylines, which he had not been privy to at the time of that posting," referring to a Dec. 30 post by TVLine.

HBO officials reiterated Wednesday that Grimes left "True Blood" because of "creative differences." But the source tells BuzzFeed the writers and cast members were surprised and upset over Grimes' decision not to play gay, since "True Blood" as always been a show that references LGBT issues.