TV Roles That Were Recast

Bewitched was one of the first popular TV shows to recast a major role in the midst of its run. Dick York played the male lead, Darrin, for the first five seasons of the show. When he fell ill, he was replaced by Dick Sargent for the final three seasons. Two actors, both named Dick, both with brown hair, who's gonna notice?


Dick York - Darrin #1


Dick Sargent - Darrin #2

Cousin Marilyn, the "plain" Munster, was originally played by Beverley Owen. After the 13-episode first season she left and was replaced by Pat Priest who played Marilyn for the remainder of the series.


Beverley Owen - Marilyn #1


Pat Priest - Marilyn #2

The role of Catwoman in the 1960s was played by three different actresses. The role was originally played by Julie Newmar in the first season. During the hiatus between seasons 1 and 2, Batman: The Movie was shot. But Newmar had previously signed on to another project, so Lee Meriwether played Catwoman in the movie. Newmar returned to the role in season 2 and then left before season 3 due to a movie commitment. Eartha Kitt stepped in to play the feline villain in the show's third and final season.

Catwoman

Julie Newmar


Lee Meriwether


Eartha Kitt


The villainous Mr. Freeze appeared in three story arcs over the show's three seasons, and was played by a different actor each time: George Sanders, Otto Preminger, and Eli Wallach.

Mr. Freeze

George Sanders


Otto Preminger


Eli Wallach

And while most people remember Frank Gorshin as the Riddler, John Astin played The Riddler for 2 episodes in 1967.

Frank Gorshin


Gomez Addams or The Riddler?

Barbara Bel Geddes originated the role of Ewing family matriarch Miss Ellie in the series pilot. She departed after season 7 for health-related reasons. After Bel Geddes left, she was replaced by movie and television actress Donna Reed, who would only play the part in season 8. Bel Geddes returned at the start of Dallas‍‍'​‍s ninth season and remained in the role until the end of season thirteen, when she retired from acting.

Miss Ellie

Once every season, the gang at Cheers would go to war with the regulars from Gary's Olde Towne Tavern, and they usually lost. Gary was played by two different actors over the years, Joel Polis and Robert Desiderio. And to make things more confusing, they often alternated their appearances.

Lecy Goranson played oldest daughter Becky for the first five seasons. When Goranson went to college, Sarah Chalke stepped in to play Becky. Goranson returned in season 8 when the two actresses shared the role.


Lecy Goranson (l) and Sarah Chalke (r) arm wrestle to determine who is the best Becky.

Actor Philip Bruns originally played Morty Seinfeld on the show's second episode. He was replaced by Barney Martin who played the role until the series finale.


Philip Bruns - Morty #1


Barney Martin - The Morty we all know and love


Lloyd Braun was played first by actor Peter Keleghan in the episode, "The Non-Fat Yogurt", then by actor Matt McCoy.


Peter Keleghan - Lloyd Braun #1


Matt McCoy - Lloyd Braun #2 "Serenity Now!"

For the first three seasons, the role of Will's aunt Viv was played by Janet Huber, but they brought in another actress, Daphne Reid, for the show's last three seasons. To this day, Huber blames Will Smith for getting her fired from the show.


Janet Huber - Aunt Viv #1


Daphne Reid - Aunt Viv #2

The role of Jimmy Olsen was played by Michael Landes in season 1 and by Justin Whalin in seasons 2-4.


Michael Landes - Jimmy Olsen #1


Justin Whalin - Jimmy Olsen #2

The recurring character Tora Ziyal was played by three different actresses on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Cyia Batten was the first to play the part and appeared in two different episodes. The role was recast when the producers wanted the character to be stronger, like Major Kira. Tracy Middendorf then took over. She only lasted one episode as she had a difficult time dealing with the heavy prosthetic makeup required for the role. Melanie Smith then took the reigns and played Tora Ziyal for the final six episodes in which Ziyal appeared.


Cyia Batten - Tora Ziyal #1


Tracy Middendorf - Tora Ziyal #2


Melanie Smith - Tora Ziyal #3

The character of Laurie was originally played by Lisa Robin Kelly, who mysteriously disappeared after the second season and returned during the fifth season. In the sixth season, Kelly was replaced by Christina Moore.


Lisa Robin Kelly (l) and Christina Moore (r)

Lacey Chabert provided the voice of Meg Griffin for the first production season after which Mila Kunis took over the role as Chabert became too busy with school work and her duties on Party of Five.


Lacey or Mila?

Alessandra Torresani originated the role of George Michael's girlfriend, Ann Veal (her?), but was replaced by Mae Whitman who played the part for the rest of the series.


Alessandra Torresani - Ann Veal #1


Mae Whitman - Ann Veal #2

Future Golden Globe nominee Shailene Woodley played Kaitlin, the younger sister of Marissa Cooper during season one. Kaitlin went off to boarding school and was not seen in season two. Then for season three Kaitlin returned, and they brought in Willa Holland for the role.


Shaileen Woodley (l) - Kaitlin Cooper #1


Willa Holland (r) - Kaitlin Cooper 2.0

The role of Daisy was played by Laura Harris in the show's only two seasons. Sarah Wynter took over the role in the movie, Dead Like Me: Life After Death. Oddly, the two actresses played sisters on the second season of 24.


Laura Harris - Daisy in the series


Sarah Wynter (l) - Daisy in the movie

Jolean Wejbe played the youngest Henrickson daughter, Tancy "Teenie" Henrickson, in the show's first three seasons. Then Wejbe hit a growth spurt and the producers thought she was now too tall to play young Teenie. She was replaced by the shorter Bella Thorne in Season 4.


Jolean Wejbe - Teenie #1


Bella Thorne - Teenie #2

The role of young Bobby Draper was played by so many child actors I can't possibly explain it. Luckily, Bobby's on-screen sister, Keirnan Shipka, posted all of her Bobby memories for fans in 2015. Below is Shipka's list of all eight (8!) Bobby Drapers. Note that only four of the Bobbys received an on-screen credit, the other four are "Supplemental" Bobby Drapers.

Pilot Bobby: I have no memories of Pilot Bobby, because I wasn't Pilot Sally. The pilot was filmed in New York and Sally was played by the director's daughter.

Bobby #1: Maxwell Huckabee was an absolute delight. He was 4 and I was 6. He was the first Bobby I worked with, so he clearly holds a special place in my heart.

Bobby #2: Aaron Heart liked M&M's...a lot. He also had some pretty cool boots.

Bucket Head Bobby: A little known fact is that this Bobby was an entirely different Bobby. He was anointed "Bucket Head Bobby." We didn't really bond, because we only worked together for a few hours. He seemed chill. (Note: This Bobby was only in one episode and wore a bucket on his head so no one could tell it was a different actor.)

Pillow Face Bobby: Another Bobby many people don't know about is "Pillow Face Bobby," because he was directed to bury his face into the pillow and not turn towards camera. Like with the other Supplemental Bobby Drapers, we didn't chat too much, but he seemed very nice.

Slurpee Bobby: Most people call the Bobby from the episode "The Wheel," "Slurpee Bobby." After 30 minutes of taking pictures, he was done-zo. His mom kept bribing him with slurpees from 7-Eleven. By the end, she must have owed him a lifetime supply.

Bobby #3: Jared Gilmore ditched us for Once Upon A Time, but he was great! He loved Sizzler and eating packets of straight sugar.

Bobby #4: Mason Vale Cotton stuck with us through the end. He's an awesome kid and had the longest run out of all the bros. He loves football and can rock a tux.

Don and Bobby Draper #4, Mason Vale Cotton

The role of Mandy Milkovich on Showtime's Shameless, was originated by Jane Levy in season 1. But she was only a recurring cast member, which meant she was free to sign on to another show as a series regular. So when Levy was offered the lead in ABC's Suburgatory, she jumped at the chance. Emma Greenwell stepped in to play the role of Mandy from season 2, onward.


Jane Levy - Mandy #1


Emma Greenwell - Mandy #2

I have to admit, there are so many supporting characters on Game of Thrones, that I never even notice when some of them are recast.

Tommen Baratheon was portrayed by Callum Wharry in seasons 1 and 2. Dean-Charles Chapman took over the role in season 3.


Callum Wharry - Tommen Baratheon #1


Dean-Charles Chapman - Tommen Baratheon #2


Between Seasons 3 and 4 actor Michiel Huisman replaced Ed Skrein in the role of Daario Naharisby.


Ed Skrein - Daario Naharisby #1


Michiel Huisman - Daario Naharisby #2


In Seasons 1 and 2 Myrcella Baratheon was played by Aimee Richardson. The character was then sent away and not seen in Seasons 3 or 4. When Myrcella returned in Season 5 she was played by Nell Tiger Free.


Aimee Richardson - Myrcella Baratheon #1


Nell Tiger Free - Myrcella Baratheon #2

Rumor had it that Jake T. Austin, who played Jesus Adams Foster, was getting a little too big for his britches and that he did not mesh well with the other cast members. He also got a DUI at age 19 which caused him to miss an episode of the show. The producers eventually sent Jesus off to boarding school before recasting Noah Centineo in the role.


Jake T. Austin - Jesus #1


Noah Centineo - Jesus #2

Ben Hyland played Zach Goodweather in season 1 and Max Charles took over in season 2.


Ben Hyland - Zach #1


Max Charles - Zach #2

Laura Benanti played Supergirl's mother Alura Zor-El and evil aunt, Astra, for seasons 1 and 2. But in the fall of 2017 Benanti was performing on Broadway six nights a week in the play, "Meteor Shower." The role of Alura was then taken up by Smallville alum Erica Durance for season 3.


Laura Benanti - Alura Zor-El #1


Erica Durance - Alura Zor-El #2

Ross Bulter played the role of Archie's rival, Reggie, on season 1 of Riverdale but his role was relatively small. When his other show, 13 Reasons Why, got picked up for another season, Butler didn't have the time in his schedule for the expanded role Reggie would get in Riverdale's second season. The role was recast and Charles Melton came aboard for season 2.


Ross Butler - Reggie #1


Charles Melton - Reggie #2

During the first season of USA's "Falling Water" the role of Sabine Brighton was played by Brooke Bloom. She could not return for season 2 due to a scheduling conflict so Brittany Allen took over.


Brooke Bloom - Sabine #1


Brittany Allen - Sabine #2

Chloe East played the role of Willow Green during season 1 of Ice. She then took a major role on ABC's Kevin (Probably) Save the World, leaving no time for the second season of Ice. The part of Willow was recast and Jocelyn Hudon got the job.


Chloe East - Willow #1


Jocelyn Hudon - Willow #2

In Season 1 of Audience network's polyamorous sit com, "You Me Her", protagonist Jack Trakarsky's brother Gabe was played by Kevin O'Grady. From Season 2 onward Gabe has been played by Dave Collette.


Kevin O'Grady - Gabe #1


Dave Collette - Gabe #2

Rowan Blanchard played the role of young Adam's girlfriend, Jackie Geary, in Seasons 4 and 5 of The Goldbergs. But when Jackie returned from spending a summer in New York at the start of Season 6 Adam remarked, "She's changed so much that she looks like a completely different person!" The new punk rock Jackie was played by YouTuber Alexis G. Zall.



Rowan Blanchard - Jackie #1


Alexis G. Zall (with Sean Giambrone) - Jackie #2

Last Man Standing aired on ABC for six season and the role of Mandy Baxter was played by Molly Ephraim. When FOX revived the show one year after ABC cancelled it, Ephraim decided not to return. The role was recast and another Molly, Molly McCook, got to play Mandy.


Molly Ephraim - Mandy #1


Molly McCook - Mandy #2

During Last Man's run on ABC Erika Alexander played the recurring character, Carol Larabee. But when the show returned on FOX, Erika was busy working on Black Lightning in Atlanta, making it impossible for her to appear on Last Man Standing which shoots in LA. Veteran sit-com actress Tisha Campbell-Martin stepped in to play the part of Carol.


Erika Alexander - Carol #1


Tisha Campbell (with Jonathan Adams) - Carol #2

Santino Fontana originally played Greg, Rebecca's on-again, off-again boyfriend, for the first two seasons of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Greg then moved away to go to graduate school but returned in the middle of season 4 only now he was played by Skylar Astin. When Rebecca's friends pointed out that Greg was back in town, she took one look at him and said, "That's Greg?!?"

"It’ll be a great statement on how our perception of people changes," said series star Rachel Bloom.


Santino Fontana - Greg #1


Skylar Astin - Greg #2

In season 1 the Queen's handmaid Naya was played by Medalion Rahimi. In season 2 Naya was played by Amita Suman.


Medalion Rahimi - Naya #1


Amita Suman - Naya #2

Elvis Nolasco played the recurring role of Layla Keating's estranged father, JP, for the first two season on The CW's All American. But COVID-19 travel restrictions prevented him from traveling from his home in New York to Los Angeles for season 3. So LA-based actor Ray Campbell stepped in to play the role of JP.


Elvis Nolasco - JP #1


Ray Campbell - JP #2