Courtney B. Vance Says 'Wonderful' Travis Kelce Joining “Grotesquerie” Shows the 'Power of Ryan Murphy': 'Nice Choice' (Exclusive)

The Emmy-wining actor stars alongside the Super Bowl champion, 34, in the new FX thriller, and tells PEOPLE Kelce was "very cool" to work with

Courtney B. Vance was likely as surprised as most fans were to learn that Travis Kelce was joining Grotesquerie. But in his mind, it's emblematic of just one thing.

"It just lets you know the power of Ryan Murphy," Vance, 64, tells PEOPLE of the mind behind the new FX thriller. "[He] just made a phone call and said, 'Come on down.'"

"It was a nice choice," Vance says, admitting it "could have been a whole lot different" given that the role marks Kelce's scripted TV debut. "He was very warm, he's very cool."

Related: Donna Kelce Says It's a Good Thing Son Travis Kelce Is 'Very Coachable' Ahead of His Acting Debut in Grotesquerie (Exclusive)

Vance, who plays Marshall Tryon, the comatose husband of Niecy Nash-Betts' Detective Lois Tryon, in Grotesquerie, echoes what his onscreen wife said of Kelce's acting chops — and how ready he was every day on set.

"He was very wonderful. [It was] not a surprise, he was just prepared. He was just good. And if he needed some help, he was open."

Vance also jokes that Kelce, 34, "asked me if we wanted to go to return to favor and go to the football field," but he had a sarcastic response.

"'I don't know. Kelce, I thank you for the invitation. Let's just get these lines down, okay?'" Vance jokes. "I turned him down. I just had a little too much to do that day. Whatever. Taylor Swift, whatever."

Related: Ryan Murphy Was 'Moved' by Travis Kelce's 'Ambition' Before Writing Part Specifically for Him in Grotesquerie

Nash-Betts, 54, had equally high praise for Kelce, who she told PEOPLE was "very professional" and "always came prepared" to set.

"Travis was very open. He was very open on if there was a note given or a suggestion given. So amenable. 'Tell me what I don't know. Tell me what your thought is on this,'" she told PEOPLE. "I love that he didn't come in trying to act like, 'I know everything and I know it all.'"

She teased also that "fans are going to find him very charming in this role."

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Grotesquerie premieres Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX and streams the next day on Hulu.

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