Why Kayce Dutton From Yellowstone Looks So Familiar
When Paramount Network set about casting actors for its drama series "Yellowstone," nothing was left to chance. The stars of the show, led by Academy Award-winner Kevin Costner, have an impressive number of credits on their resumes, including actors who have featured prominently in movies like "Sherlock Holmes," "Mission: Impossible – Fallout," and "Wonder Woman," as well as shows such as "True Detective," "American Horror Story," and "Teen Wolf."
Admittedly, the dust, beards, and cowboy hats of "Yellowstone" and its family-owned cattle ranch may make it challenging to immediately recognize some of its stars. So, it's understandable if many of you might be thinking Kayce Dutton, the youngest son of Kevin Costner's John Dutton, looks familiar and find yourself asking where you've seen him before. Well, the actor is Ohio native Luke Grimes, and chances are you've seen him in supporting roles in some big name projects over the last several years.
Luke Grimes was in Brothers & Sisters
Luke Grimes got his start in the slasher flick "All the Boys Love Mandy Lane," but it was his first television role that truly made him a familiar face. Appearing in a guest role for Season 3 of the ABC family drama "Brothers & Sisters" as Ryan Lafferty, Grimes was promoted to the main cast for the fourth season. Starring Sally Field and Calista Flockhart, the show focused on the Walker family following the death of William, the family's patriarch. Grimes' character enters the picture as William's illegitimate son.
Ryan's character arc on the series saw him initially rejecting his birth father's family, going as far as sabotaging the Walker family business. In time, though, Ryan grows close to the Walker clan, especially his half-brother's girlfriend who was previously believed to be William Walker's illegitimate child (hey, the show was called "Brothers & Sisters" for a reason). By the end of the fourth season, Ryan agrees to be a bone marrow donor for Flockhart's Kitty. Due to decisions by the show's creative team, Ryan was written out of the series for Season 5, with no in-story explanation.
Luke Grimes played James Kent in True Blood
Luke Grimes joined the cast of "True Blood" during the sixth season of HBO's vampire drama. Grimes played James Kent, the love interest of Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll). Unlike some of his vampiric brethren, James struggled to maintain his humanity after being turned into a vampire.
The role of James Kent was recast for the seventh season after Grimes exited the series allegedly due to refusing to play a gay character (via BuzzFeed), which was the direction the show's writers intended to take James — specifically, a romantic relationship with Lafayette Reynolds (Nelsan Ellis). Representatives for Grimes denied the rumor, citing scheduling conflicts as the reason. HBO's statement, for the record, cites the creative direction of the character as the reason, though the network made no specific mention of the storyline in question. In an interview with Vulture, Ellis confirmed the rumors, saying he and the rest of the cast were shocked Grimes quit because of the LGBTQ+ storyline.
Luke Grimes was a Grey sibling in 50 Shades of Grey
Luke Grimes has appeared in over a dozen films, but one of the biggest among them is the "50 Shades" trilogy, in which he played Christian Grey's adopted brother Elliot. Grimes' involvement in the "50 Shades" franchise was cited by his publicist as one of the reasons the actor departed "True Blood."
Based on the bestselling books by E. L. James, the erotic tale focuses on the relationship between a young woman who falls in love with Christian, a wealthy mogul who engages in certain sexual activities involving a "Red Room of Pain." While Christian (Jamie Dornan) and Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) are the film's primary protagonists, Elliot has a significant storyline — albeit one with far fewer whips and chains — with Kate (Eloise Mumford), Ana's best friend. The two meet by chance while Elliot and his brother help an inebriated Ana get home. Over the course of the films, Elliot and Kate's relationship evolves from dating to a marriage proposal.