Some TV show recasts are necessary, such as when an actor tragically passes away, gets sick, or has a conflict with another project and can’t continue. Other times, however, the recasts seemingly happen because of avoidable drama. It’s usually in these instances that the recasts leave fans scratching their heads.
With any TV recast, fans are left to attempt to reconcile how a character they have come to knowfor, in some cases, several seasons, now suddenly looks completely different. Some of the worst TV character recasts, however, are pretty iconic.
10Katie Kane
‘Batwoman’ (2019–2022)
A complicated story,Batwomanwas greenlit withRuby Rose, known from her role onOrange is the New Black, as the title character. She fit the mold perfectly, but she only played it for one season. Rose opted to leave citing unsafe working conditions, so recasting was a decision that had to be made if the show were to continue.
Wallis Daycame on board to portray the character, but she took a backseat in favor ofJavicia Lesliecoming on as a new character named Ryan.Fans had already gotten used to Rose, so the change with someone else playing Batwoman was strange.But killing off Katie and having a homeless ex-con find the suit and take on the persona just wasn’t working.
9Greg Serrano
‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ (2015–2019)
The recasting had to be done sinceSantino Fontanadecided not to return to reprise his role as Greg Serrano once his contract ended. But as was typical withCrazy Ex-Girlfriend, the show decides to handle the recasting in the funniest way possible.Skyler Astinstepped in, and his much different appearance was explained away as a reflection of his emotional arc. As a musical show, there was even a song called “Hello, Nice to Meet You” to re-introduce the character, who looked different as a reflection of his healthier mindset.
While Astin is a wonderful actor and was perfect for the show, along with singing some ofCrazy Ex-Girlfriend’s wildest songs, it would have made more sense for him to play someone different.Greg had a very specific personality about him that made him endearing and Fontana was fabulous in the role. Having him return as someone markedly different than who he was didn’t make sense for such a pivotal character.
8Charlie Harper/Walden Schmidt
‘Two And a Half Men’ (2003–2015)
The actual character of Charlie inTwo and Half Menwasn’t recast, but the main character in the series was swapped for a new one meant to take Charlie’s place. As a result of behind-the-scenes drama,Charlie Sheendeparted the series, and his namesake character was killed off in a sweeping decision to end that chapter of the show.Ashton Kutcherwas the high-profile actor who replaced him. Of course, since Charlie Harper was such a recognizable and enduring character, there was no way he could be recast. So, Kutcher joined as a man named Walden.
He’s a wealthy tech billionaire who buys Charlie’s beach house after his death. With Alan (Jon Cryer) broke and destitute, he befriends Walden in a desperate attempt not to be evicted. Walden, newly divorced, is happy for the company and oddly allows Alan to stay. The whole idea of a man buying a beach house with someone in it made little sense. It was a way to keep the show going and prove that it could do that without Sheen. Butby those last few seasons, it had become a very different show.
Two and a Half Men
7Alexis Carrington
‘Dynasty’ (2017–2022)
In true soap opera fashion,Dynastywas known for its totally outlandish storylines. But the story used to describe why Alexis Carrington looked completely different from one season to the next was downright laughable and one ofDynasty’s wildest story arcs. First played byNicollette Sheridan, after she left the series, the role was too big not to fill. So, the facial change was explained away by facial reconstructive surgery. After having her face thrown into a fire by her own son, Alexis was sent to the best doctors who were able to reconstruct her face into one that was just as beautiful…but completely different. The character was then played byElaine Hendrix, who did a wonderful job for the remainder of the series, but the explanation for how she came to look like herself was completely unbelievable.
Dynastyhad more re-casting drama when between Seasons 2 and 3, the character Cristal Jennings looked completely different, first played byAna Brenda Contreras, then byDaniella Alonso. In this case,there was no explanation given for the drastic change in appearance. Fans always felt like Contreras, however, was a better fit as the character.
6Darrin Stephens
‘Bewitched’ (1964–1972)
Dick Yorkhad become synonymous with the character of Darrin Stephens onBewitchedafter playing him forthe series' five seasons. The chemistry between him and Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery) was perfect on screen. So, when he was replaced byDick Sargentfor the final three seasons, fans were disappointed. Sadly, there was good reason: York was in poor health, which required that he leave the series when he could no longer perform. While the show did things to help accommodate his back injury, including slanted walls he could lean on between scenes, his pain eventually became too much. In fact, some scenes were even written to allow York to be in bed or on a couch for entire episodes.
Sargent stepped in and the show lasted three more seasons. The transition was seamless with Samantha never batting an eye at the fact that her husband now looked completely different. Butfans were sad to see the beloved character go, even if they were understanding as to why he had no choice.
5Harriet Winslow
‘Family Matters’ (1989–1998)
Family Matters, one ofthe best ‘90s sitcoms,and through the sitcom’s nine-season run,Jo Marie Paytonportrayed sassy mom Harriette Winslow. But partway through the ninth season, after her contract expired, she wanted to leave the series, believing it had run its course, according to her interview withTVSeriesFinale.com. She agreed to stay until midseason to maintain continuity, butEntertainment Tonightreports that she got into a heated argument with White in one of her last episodes, suggesting this might have led to an earlier-than-expected departure.
So, for the final episodes,the character was recast with Judyann Elder, and no word was given to explain the change. It’s as though the hope was that fans would simply accept the swap just so the show could get a proper end.
Family Matters
4Laurie Forman
‘That ’70s Show’ (1998–2006)
Laurie Forman was just a peripheral character onThat ‘70s Show, so it wasn’t a massive deal when she was recast. Nonetheless, the switch was felt sinceLisa Robin Kellyhad done such a great job for the first three seasons as Eric’s (Topher Grace) manipulative, promiscuous, aimless older sister. When Kelly left the show, the explanation was that Laurie went to beauty school. Laurie briefly appeared for a special appearance in season five when she married Fez (Wilmer Valderrama) to prevent him from getting deported. Sadly, Kelly was living with addiction, tellingABCthat during her time on the show, she had a miscarriage, and that led her to start abusing alcohol. Tragically, Kelly passed away in 2013.
Kelly was replaced byChristina Moore, who played Laurie in a recurring role for part of Season 6.Despite being a talented comedic actor, it just didn’t work. The character disappears for the remainder of the series, with the story being that she moved to Canada.
That ’70s Show
3Chrissy Snow
‘Three’s Company’ (1977–1984)
One of the most talked about casting changes from the 1970s was inThree’s Company, one ofthe best ‘70s sitcoms. The dynamic among the lateJohn Ritter, Joyce DeWitt, and the lateSuzanne Somersas roommates Jack, Janet, and Chrissy was fabulous.
Somers was abruptly fired from the show, shocking viewers. She had spoken openly in the decades since about how she had demanded equal pay, as cited by sources likePeople.Jenilee Harrisonwas brought in to play Cindy, Chrissy’s cousin who moves in. She was later replaced byPriscilla Barnesas a brand-new character named Terri Alden. Both did a great job, but neither could hold a candle to the true Chrissy Snow.
Three’s Company
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2Becky Conner
‘Roseanne’ (1988–1997)
One of the most notable re-casts in TV history came when the eldest Conner child Becky inRoseannewent from being played byLecy GoransontoSarah Chalkein the sixth and seventh seasons, then back to Goranson for Season 8, Chalke in Season 9, and Goranson for Season 10. Goranson left the show so she could attend college, an admirable decision. But she was still able to appear part-time, and they wrote into the script that she eloped with her husband. When producers wanted to bring back the character and Goranson wasn’t available, they replaced her. As her schedule allowed, however, Goranson would return and the character flip-flopped between the two actors for the final seasons.
The cast found ways to work jokes in about the switches, with Roseanne (Roseanne Barr) once saying “aren’t you glad you’re here this week?” to Chalke and a flashforward where DJ (Michael Fishman) is talking to a psychiatrist about his sister and saying, “they say she’s the same, but she isn’t the same.” Goranson reprised the role in the sequel seriesThe Conners, but the show didn’t forget about Chalke. She was brought in to play a woman who Becky was considering being a surrogate mother for, hilariously feeling oddly connected to her in some way. Nonetheless,fans always felt that Goranson was the one and only true Becky.
1Vivian Banks
‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ (1990–1996)
There was behind-the-scenes drama inThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airthat is no fault of eitherJanet HubertorDaphne Maxwell, who both played the Banks matriarch Vivian. While Maxwell did her best to step into the role, she simply wasn’t the Vivian Banks that fans had come to know and love. Hubert played Banks with such vigor, personality, and strength. From that iconic ballet dancing scene to singing her heart out in mall karaoke, Maxwell would not have been able to pull those scenes off.
Alas, the casting change was made when Hubert was abruptly let go, and the character was never the same again.The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airtried to make light of it,breaking the fourth wallafter Will commented “Aunt Viv, you look different” in the first episode. But knowing how this all happened and seeing Smith’s tearful apology to Hubert during the show’s reunion makes the recast even more awful. It didn’t have to happen, nor should it have.
