True Blood fans might be a little confused when they tune in next summer.

Luke Grimes - who first appeared in last summer's season six as Jessica's (Deborah Ann Woll) love interest James - will not be returning for the series' final season. Instead, his role will be recast. It has been reported that Grimes asked to be released from his contract early because he didn't like the direction in which his character's storyline was headed.

His character, James, and Woll's Jessica met while held in a vampire detainment facility, which saw them released from it together in season six's finale.

There's no word yet as to who will fill in Grimes' shoes as James on the hit vampire drama, but the show is due to begin production next month for season 7.

Grimes will next be seen as Christan Grey's (Jamie Dornan) brother Elliot in the highly-anticipated film Fifty Shades of Grey.