While Waiting For Yellowstone’s Kayce Dutton Spinoff, Watch The Actor In This Cult Classic HBO Show

There’s a cult classic TV show you can watch to get a Luke Grimes fix while waiting for Kayce Dutton’s Yellowstone spinoff. While Taylor Sheridan’s massively popular neo-Western series is doubtlessly Grimes’ most recognizable role, the Yellowstone star has been acting since 2006, with parts in noteworthy movies such as American Sniper and the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise.

Sheridan’s original series wrapped up at the end of 2024 with Yellowstone season 5, but Kayce Dutton’s story will continue in a Yellowstone spinoff on CBS titled Y: Marshals. Slated for early 2026, Kayce’s spinoff will follow John Dutton’s (Kevin Costner) son as he joins an elite team of US Marshals considered the region’s last line of defense.

Luke Grimes Plays James Kent In True Blood Season 6

Luke Grimes Joined True Blood In 2013

Before Yellowstone, Luke Grimes joined the cast of True Blood, a dark fantasy horror drama, for season 6. Grimes entered True Blood‘s supernatural world as James Kent, a vampire turned amid the Vietnam War. The show was based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries novels by Charlaine Harris, airing on HBO from 2008 to 2014 for seven seasons.

Luke Grimes featured in five episodes, with True Blood season 6, episode 6, “Don’t You Feel Me” marking his first appearance. His story intersects with Jessica Hamby (Deborah Ann Woll) when they both find themselves at the vampire camp. Grimes featured throughout season 6 as Jessica’s love interest, but the role was recast for True Blood season 7.

How Luke Grimes’ True Blood Character Compares To Kayce Dutton

Kayce Dutton & James Kent Are Like-Minded

It’s evident from the start that Luke Grimes’ True Blood character shares characteristics with Kayce Dutton. James is considered to be thoughtful and kind-hearted, contrasting with the hostile supernatural environment. He distinguishes himself from other vampires, saying that he believes vampires choose to give up their souls, and he has decided not to let his humanity go.

Kayce Dutton, too, co-exists with violent conditions not of his choosing. A vital member of the Dutton family, Kayce is tasked with protecting his family’s ranch against dangerous circumstances, but maintains his morality despite those around him succumbing to violence, becoming murderers to preserve the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. In both atmospheres, Grimes plays an ethically-minded character with brutal capabilities.

Why Luke Grimes Was Replaced As James In True Blood

Luke Grimes Had A Divisive True Blood Exit

James Kent is considered one of Luke Grimes’ best TV and movie roles, but the actor didn’t return for True Blood’s seventh and final season. James Kent was still a part of the plot, but Luke Grimes didn’t return to finish the character’s arc. Grimes’ publicist attributed his exit to scheduling conflicts, with roles in other noteworthy projects lined up.

In contrast, HBO cited that the “creative direction of the character” was why Nathan Parsons replaced Luke Grimes as James Kent for True Blood season 7. That aligned with various insider claims, with sites like Looper reporting that Grimes disagreed with James’ evolving storyline, wherein he would embark on a romance with Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis), making Kent bisexual.