Summary
- TV shows often recast characters due to various reasons, but some recasts end up being even better than the original, enhancing the show's quality.
- Recasting allows for new character development and can boost a show's success.
- Recasts like Javicia Leslie as a new character who becomes Batwoman and Charles Melton as Reggie Mantle brought fresh and well-received performances, breathing new life into their respective characters.
It's not unusual to see a TV show recast a character during its run, but some actor changes end up being even better than the original. Some of the best TV shows of all time have seen significant recasts for many different reasons, such as scheduling conflicts, either because a cast member is committed to another project or is unable to attend filming for whatever reason, or behind-the-scenes controversies. While many recasts cause the quality of a character to decline, there are plenty that change the show for the good.
There are instances where a TV show may choose not to recast a character, and this can be because the show doesn't wish for the character to return or was played by someone who has since ed away. A recast usually comes about from uncontrollable circumstances, although not exclusively, but allows the production to implement new character development. Regardless of the reasoning, some recasts help boost a show's ongoing success.
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10 Javicia Leslie Replaced Ruby Rose As Batwoman
Batwoman
CW's Batwoman has seen three actresses play the titular role, split across two characters. The first to take the role was Ruby Rose, best known for her performance in the Netflix drama Orange is the New Black. Rose only starred for one season before her departure, following her allegations that the Batwoman set was unsafe. While Kate did eventually return to the show, the part was recast, and instead played by Wallis Day.
The part was then recast as a slightly different character, Ryan Wilder, and was portrayed by Javicia Leslie until the show's end in 2022. Leslie's portrayal as the new Batwoman, however, was a brand new character, as Ryan Wilder did not exist in the original comics. Ryan's character was generally well received, so much so that after Batwoman came to an end, she was incorporated into a major arc in The Flash. Despite the presence left behind by Kate (Rose), Leslie's personality shone through in her performance, giving the characterization a breath of fresh air compared to her predecessor.
9 Michiel Huisman Replaced Ed Skrein As Daario Naharis
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones season 4 recast Daario Naharis, the leader of the Second Sons and an all-around skilled warrior. Ed Skrein's departure from the show caused some confusion initially, but his replacement, Michiel Huisman, swiftly filled his boots. While Skrein's portrayal was more correct to the book's description of the character, such as his long hair and being filled with such confidence that he feared nothing, he did feel a little out of place in Game of Thrones.
However, Huisman's interpretation fit in much better in the show and was more serious and dark. Huisman's ability to recreate Daario's iconic charm and the complex layers of the character helped the show move on from the recast quite quickly, especially with his on-screen chemistry with Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen.
8 Sarah Chalke Replaced Lecy Goranson As Becky Conner
Roseanne
Roseanne's Becky was a unique recasting because two actresses shared the role at multiple points during the show's original run. Originally played by Lecy Goranson, the actress left the show in season 5 to attend college, appearing sporadically until the show's end. The part was then given to future Scrubs and Rick and Morty star Sarah Chalke during Goranson's absence.
While Goranson was due to return to Roseanne several times, schedule conflicts resulted in Chalke filling in for particular episodes before the original actress stepped back to avoid any more delays with filming. Despite these issues, Chalke was able to have her chemistry with the rest of the cast, and considering the pressure of taking over such an iconic character, gave a hilarious and memorable performance.
7 Charles Melton Replaced Ross Butler As Reggie Mantle
Riverdale
Ross Butler originally played the character of Reggie in Riverdale season 1 but had to leave the show due to filming conflicts after being cast in 13 Reasons Why. Following Butler's departure, the part was recast to Charles Melton. Butler did make one return to Riverdale, however, and starred opposite his successor in the 100th episode "The Jughead Paradox." Melton continued to add more to the character as each season went by, most notably in his performances opposite co-star Camila Mendes, further proving that Veronica should have been with Reggie, not Archie.
6 Skylar Astin Replaced Santino Fontana As Greg Serrano
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend's Greg was one of the show's most notable characters, initially played by Santino Fontana in seasons 1 and 2. The character departed at the beginning of season 2 to go to business school, as Fontana turned his attention to other projects, having only been contracted for one season with Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Upon Greg's return in season 4, he'd changed, and the character was recast with Pitch Perfect star Skylar Astin.
During Fonatana's tenure, Greg struggled with alcoholism and his tumultuous relationship with Rebecca (Rachel Bloom). This was then used to explain the recast in the story, with the idea being that Rebecca had seen Greg differently while he was struggling, and when he returned healthier, sober, and more stable, she was able to truly see him. Although Astin only played Greg for the final season, his performance breathed fresh air into the character, which worked perfectly considering the context.
5 Jane Sibbett Replaced Anita Barone As Carol Willick
Friends
Ross's ex-wife, Carol, was a crucial recurring character in Friends and a great example of LGBTQ+ representation in the 1990s. The character was portrayed by Anita Barone in the episode "The One with the Sonogram at the End", only for Friends to recast Carol with Jane Sibbett, who starred in the role for the rest of season 1 and onward. Sibbett gave such a brilliant performance as Carol, and had great chemistry with the likes of Ross (David Schwimmer) and Susan (Jessica Hecht), that it's difficult to imagine the part played by anyone else.
4 Mae Whitman Replaced Alessandra Torresani As Ann Veal
Arrested Development
Arrested Development was another show that addressed a recasting through its humor. Ann Veal, the girlfriend of George Michael (Michael Cera) and briefly Gob (Will Arnett), was played by Alessandra Torresani. Torresani appeared in Arrested Development season 1 before handing the role over to Mae Whitman, and the sitcom character recast was noticed upon her return. Initially, the character was supposed to be played by a different actress in each episode, a recurring joke about Ann's lack of memorability. However, Whitman's already established career and ability to make the character more developed secured her a recurring spot in Arrested Development.
3 Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden Replaced Justin Roiland As Rick And Morty
Rick And Morty
The Rick and Morty voice actor recast caused a lot of conversation upon the release of allegations against Justin Roiland. However, it is one that made the show better. Roiland originally voiced the characters of Rick and Morty, but in a change-up for the show, Rick and Morty recast the titular characters with two voice actors. Ian Cardoni as Rick and Harry Belden as Morty were then introduced in season 7.
The new voice actors were highly anticipated, although there was some concern about how their addition to the show might see Rick and Morty shift the show in a different direction altogether, especially as the recasting was not announced until after season 7 premiered. Although it was a risky casting choice for Rick and Morty, it was ultimately the right decision, and Cardoni and Belden were praised for their almost identical recreations of the iconic character's voices.
2 Dan Stevens Replaced Justin Roiland As Korvo
Solar Opposites
Justin Roiland's other adult animation, Solar Opposites, also saw a recast at the same time as Rick and Morty. Korvo, the blue alien who is best known for being under constant stress, was recast in season 4 with British actor Dan Stevens. Unlike Rick and Morty, which saw an exact copy of the character's voices brought to life with new actors, Solar Opposites took a different direction.
1 Ray Wise Replaced Eric Braeden As Robin Scherbatsky Sr
How I Met Your Mother
Although initially a small character, Robin's (Colbie Smulders) father's first appearance saw the character, played by Eric Braeden, in the How I Met Your Mother season 4 episode "Happily Ever After." Robin Scherbatsky Sr. returned for a few brief appearances from season 6 onwards before becoming a recurring character throughout the main storyline of Robin and Barney's (Neil Patrick Harris) wedding. However, Robin's father was notably recast from his second appearance onwards, portrayed by Ray Wise for the rest of the show's run.
Luckily, the two actors bore some similarity in their appearances, and it is a TV show recast that wasn't hugely obvious at first. Braeden had been asked to return to How I Met Your Mother but declined the opportunity to reprise the role, with Neil Patrick Harris revealing that this was because the actor didn't think the part was substantial enough for him (How I Met Your Mother's most hilarious quotes and ultimately made the original cameo rather forgettable.