'You quit your job because you don't want to play a gay part?' True Blood actor Nelsan Ellis fuels speculation over Luke Grimes' shock exit

It's been rumoured former True Blood actor Luke Grimes had quit the hit TV series over his character James Kent's gay storyline.

And now his former co-star Nelsan Ellis - who plays Kent's gay lover Lafayette - has fuelled the reasons behind his departure.

Although Luke previously denied claims the homosexual storyline had anything to do with his reasons for leaving the show, Nelsan disagreed this what the case.

Former co-stars: Nelsan Ellis (left) alleged his True Blood co-star Luke Grimes (right) quit over gay storyline

In an interview with Vulture magazine, the 35-year old opened up about the situation and how he didn’t really get the opportunity to ‘bond’ with the Fifty Shades Of Grey

actor, who played vampire James Kent in Series 6 of the HBO drama.

He told the website: ‘I didn't, but I'm completely ... I mean, I can say I'm not going to make a comment, but I just think that, you're an actor, you're an actor on a show that's True Blood, we're all sitting there going, "You quit your job because ... really?"

‘I'm just... I'm over him. You quit your job because you don't want to play a gay part? As if it's ... You know what? I'm going to stop talking.’

Luke, 30 stunned fans when he abrupt quit the show in December, with his character James being recast with Nathan Parsons taking the role for the seventh and final series.

Over and out: Luke Grimes played vampire James Kent and left after series 6 of True Blood

Elobarating on Luke's departure, Nelsan added to Vulture: ‘You have to be open. But more importantly, you make a statement when you do something like that [leave].

‘I did a documentary called Damn Wonderful, about gay suicide, and you make a statement, a big statement, when you go, "I don't want to play this part because it's gay."

‘If you have a child, if you have a son, and he comes out as gay, what are you going to do? If you have a daughter who comes out gay ...? You just made a statement, and it has ripple effects.’

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Nathan revealed how amazing it was getting the opportunity to work alongside Nelsan.

He said: ‘He’s fantastic. The very first episode, the scene between the two of us was my first day ever on the set, and so right off the bat I knew working with him was awesome. He’s brilliant, just the way that he plays around with the scenes, with the words -- he’s so free when he’s in that character.

Heart of the show: Nelsan Ellis says he didn't get the opportunity to 'bond' with Grimes 

‘What he just naturally brings to the character is so free, it allows you permission to do that yourself. It forces you as an actor to be completely present and responsive.’

When Luke left the show in December, a HBO spokesperson said: 'The role of James is being recast due to the creative direction of the character.'

Last month, Luke's publicist, Craig Schneider denied rumours the gay storyline had prompted his decision to quit, telling Buzzfeed: 'Luke always had an out clause as a means of pursuing other opportunities which arose in the form of features beginning with The Shangri-La Suite, followed by Fifty Shades of Grey, and most recently, Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper with Bradley Cooper.

'It had nothing to do with storylines, which he had not been privy to at the time of that posting.'

MailOnline has contacted Luke's rep for comment.

Suited and booted: Nathan Parsons, who stepped in as Grimes’ replacement, looks suave at the True Blood season 7 premiere in LA last month

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