If you spend enough time scrolling through TikTok or deep-diving into old Tumblr fandom threads, you’ll eventually run into a weirdly persistent "fact." People swear up and down that Luke Grimes, the guy we all know as the brooding, horse-riding Kayce Dutton on Yellowstone, was in the Twilight movies.
He wasn't.
It’s one of those Mandela Effect things where the collective memory of the internet just decided he belonged in Forks, Washington. Honestly, it’s not hard to see why. Between 2008 and 2012, Luke Grimes had that exact "indie-vampire" aesthetic that defined the era. He was pale, had the messy hair, and possessed that specific brand of quiet intensity that made teenage girls in 2009 lose their minds. But if you pop in your old Breaking Dawn Blu-rays and look for him, you’re going to be looking for a long time.
So, why does the Luke Grimes Twilight connection keep coming up?
The truth is actually more interesting than a simple "no." While he never stepped foot on a Twilight set, he came incredibly close to being the face of the franchise.
The Audition That Almost Changed Everything
Back in 2007, before Robert Pattinson was a household name, the casting directors for Twilight were looking for their Edward Cullen. They wanted someone who looked otherworldly but could also handle the "tormented soul" vibe.
Luke Grimes was one of the top contenders.
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He officially auditioned for the role of Edward Cullen. At the time, Grimes was a rising star coming off All the Boys Love Mandy Lane. He had the look. He had the talent. In many ways, he was the American version of what Pattinson eventually brought to the table.
Ultimately, the producers went with Pattinson, and the rest is cinematic history. Can you imagine a world where Kayce Dutton was the one sparkling in the sunlight? It’s a wild "what if" scenario. If Grimes had landed that role, the entire trajectory of Yellowstone probably wouldn't exist. We might have had a very different kind of cowboy on our screens today.
Why the Confusion Still Happens
There are a few very specific reasons why fans still get Luke Grimes Twilight mixed up.
- The True Blood Connection: In 2013, Grimes actually did play a vampire. He joined the cast of HBO’s True Blood as James Kent. Because True Blood and Twilight were the two pillars of the vampire craze, people’s brains tend to mush them together. If you remember seeing Luke Grimes with fangs, you’re right—it just wasn't in a PG-13 movie with Kristen Stewart.
- The "Look": During the late 2000s, Grimes was often compared to Robert Pattinson. They had the same bone structure and that "I haven't slept in three days because I'm thinking about poetry" energy.
- The Fifty Shades Link: This is the big one. Luke Grimes played Elliot Grey in the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. As any Twi-hard knows, Fifty Shades famously started as Twilight fan fiction. The characters are literally based on Edward and Bella. By playing Christian Grey’s brother, Grimes was essentially one degree of separation away from the Cullen family.
The Vampire He Actually Played (And Why He Left)
While he missed out on the Luke Grimes Twilight role, his stint on True Blood was supposed to be his big supernatural breakout. He played James, a "sensitive and philosophical" vampire who becomes a love interest for Jessica Hamby.
Fans actually liked him. He brought a grounded, human quality to a show that was getting increasingly campy. But then, things got weird.
After Season 6, Grimes abruptly left the show. He was replaced by Nathan Parsons for the final season. At the time, his publicist said it was because of his schedule and the desire to pursue film opportunities (he was about to film American Sniper). However, rumors swirled for years that he left because he was uncomfortable with the creative direction of the character's romantic arc.
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Whatever the reason, his departure meant that his time as a screen vampire was short-lived. It’s a bummer, really. He had the chops for it.
From Potential Cullen to the Face of the New West
It’s kind of a blessing in disguise that the Luke Grimes Twilight casting never happened.
If Grimes had been Edward Cullen, he might have been pigeonholed as a teen heartthrob forever. Instead, he took a slower path. He did the gritty work. He played a Navy SEAL in American Sniper. He did the Fifty Shades movies, which gave him massive commercial visibility without the "franchise lead" baggage.
Then came Kayce Dutton.
Yellowstone changed everything for him. He traded the vampire glitter for Montana dirt, and it fit him perfectly. Kayce is a character defined by internal conflict—a man caught between his father’s legacy and his own moral compass. It requires a level of maturity that a 24-year-old Edward Cullen wouldn't have allowed him to show.
The Cultural Impact of the Misconception
The fact that people still search for "Luke Grimes in Twilight" says a lot about his brand. He has a "timeless" face. He looks like he could belong in a 1950s Western, a 2010s supernatural drama, or a modern-day action flick.
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That versatility is why he's survived the "heartthrob" phase of his career and moved into being a serious dramatic lead.
What’s Next for Luke Grimes?
As Yellowstone winds down its historic run, Grimes isn't just sticking to acting. He’s leaned heavily into his country music career. His debut album, Luke Grimes, dropped in 2024, and it’s actually good. It’s not "actor-trying-to-sing" good; it’s genuine, Appalachian-influenced country music.
He’s also set to star in the spinoff Y: Marshals (though the title has been shifting around in development).
The man has successfully navigated the treacherous waters of Hollywood casting. He went from "the guy who almost played Edward Cullen" to "the guy who redefined the modern cowboy."
The Final Verdict
So, to settle the debate:
- Was Luke Grimes in Twilight? No.
- Did he audition? Yes, for Edward Cullen.
- Did he play a vampire? Yes, but in True Blood, not Twilight.
- Is he better off? Almost certainly.
If you want to see the "vampire" side of Luke Grimes, you’re better off tracking down Season 6 of True Blood. But if you want to see why he’s one of the biggest stars in the world right now, stick to the ranch.
If you’re a fan of his work on Yellowstone, you should check out his musical performances on The Tonight Show or Jimmy Kimmel Live!. It’s the best way to see the "real" Luke—the one who grew up in a church in Ohio, playing drums and dreaming of something bigger than a sparkling vampire role.
The next step for any fan is to dive into his self-titled album. It’s the most authentic version of him we’ve seen yet. It’s far away from the world of Forks, and honestly, that’s exactly where he belongs.