The act of a television character being recast is more common than you may realize. Sometimes, it’s a minor supporting character that was recast after their introduction, such as Seinfeld‘s Newman, originally played (off-screen) by Larry David before Wayne Knight was cast in the role.
Other times, it’s a main cast member that’s being recast, sometimes several seasons into the series, with no on-screen explanation. It’s something that I’ve always found fascinating, as it’s undoubtedly jarring for viewers, especially before the days of the internet.
It got me wondering just how many examples of this there were. So I went digging through television history. Everyone knows about Bewitched, so here’s what else I found.
Morty Seinfeld – Seinfeld
While on the topic of Seinfeld, let’s start there. Morty Seinfeld, Jerry’s on-screen father, was originally played by Phil Burns in the season one episode “The Stake Out.” It would be his only appearance, however, as Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld wanted the character to be a “harsher parent.” Enter Barney Martin, who played the role to perfection.
Frank Costanza – Seinfeld
Morty wasn’t the only Seinfeld parent who was recast. While Frank Costanza helped make the character one of the best in the series, the role of Frank originally went to John Randolph for one episode: Season 4’s “The Handicap Spot.”
Vivian Banks – The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The original Aunt Viv was played by Janet Hubert during the show’s first three seasons. However, she would be replaced by Daphne Maxwell Reid. Hubert would join The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion on HBO Max in 2020 to confirm that she had not been fired from the show but had been dealing with issues in her personal life.
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Harriette Winslow – Family Matters
Imagine, for a second, that you’re Jo Marie Payton. You’re starring on Perfect Strangers before getting your own spin-off series, Family Matters, centered around your family.
Then some nerdy guy comes in, steals the spotlight, and the show is centered around him. Then you get into an altercation with said nerdy guy, resulting in you being replaced for the series’ final eight episodes. That’s what happened here: Judyanne Elder took over the role of Harriette Winslow due to increased tension between Payton and Jaleel White.
Jim Thomasen – All My Children
Never mind a mid-season replacement, what about a mid-scene one?
That was the case in 1997 when Roscoe Born, who played Jim Thomasen on All My Children, was replaced by David Forsthy mid-scene. Born had abruptly left the show, and you know what they say: “the show must go on.”
Daario Naharis – Game of Thrones
Season 3 of Game of Thrones introduced us to Daario Naharis, played by Ed Skrein. Daario was a member of the Second Sons who pledged his loyalty to Daenerys. He was clean-shaven, with long, brightly colored hair. Then comes season 4, and Daario’s looking pretty different, sporting a beard and short, dark hair. No, Skrein didn’t undergo a makeover; he was replaced by Michiel Huisman.
Thorne Forrester – The Bold and the Beautiful
Between 1987 and 2023, a whopping four actors played the role of Thorne Forrester: Clayton Norross, Jeff Trachta, Winsor Harmon (twice!), and Ingo Rademacher. While the show’s characters would sometimes reference this, we never got an actual explanation.
Chuck Cunningham – Happy Days
The term Chuck Cunningham Syndrome comes from when a character disappears and is never referenced again. It’s only fitting that such a character was also recast on several occasions. Ric Carrott played Chuck in the pilot, only to be replaced by Gavan O’Herlihy, who himself was replaced by Randolph Roberts before the character disappeared forever.
Allison Stark – Til Death
Sometimes you get to utilize your character’s constant recasting as a joke later on in the show. That’s what happens with Allison Stark’s character in Til Death, who was played by Krysten Ritter, Laure Clery, Lindsey Broad, and Kate Micucci. She was more of a recurring character, so it wasn’t always as noticeable, but still, four actresses playing one character is incredibly noteworthy.
Mandy Milkovich – Shameless
Shameless’ Mandy Milkovich was initially played by Jane Levy, but she left the show after one season to star in the show Suburgatory. Ironically, it worked out, as many argue that Emma Greenwell nailed the role.
Meg – Family Guy
To be fair, Meg’s appearance never changed in Family Guy, but her voice did. After Lacey Chabert (pictured above in A Royal Christmas) left the show, Mila Kunis took over the role.
Ann – Arrested Development
If the showrunners for Arrested Development had gone through with their original plan, the role of Ann Veal would have been constantly recast as part of a running gag on how forgettable the character is. However, according to Mae Whitman, who played the role after one appearance by Alessandra Torresani in season one, said that the writers told her she was perfect for the role of a forgettable character.
Marta – Arrested Development
One of the storylines during Arrested Development‘s first season is Michael’s infatuation with his brother Gob’s girlfriend, Marta. Michael even accompanies Marta to an award show.
You’d figure, given Michael’s desire to be with Marta, he’d realize that the actress playing the character switched. Leonar Varela played Marta in her first appearance before being replaced by Patricia Velasquez.
Carol – Friends
After landing the role of Carol Willick, Ross’s ex-wife, on Friends, Anita Barone left the series after just one appearance, as she wanted a more full-time role in a sitcom. Jane Sibbett would replace her for a total of 15 episodes, while Barone would star in The Jeff Foxworthy Show for two seasons. That would be her most prominent role.
Laurie Forman – That ’70s Show
Lisa Robin Kelly was the original actress to play Eric Forman’s sister in That ’70s Show. Tragically, she was recast due to alcohol abuse at the time. She would be replaced by Christina Moore. Lisa Robin Kelly unfortunately passed away in 2013.
John-Boy – The Waltons
Richard Thomas played the original John-Boy Walton Jr. in The Waltons before he left to pursue other opportunities.
“When I signed my contract, I decided then that I would remain with the series no longer than five years,” he would explain. “That’s long enough to be tied up with one project, and I want to go on to other things.” He was replaced by Robert Wightman.
Lionel Jefferson – The Jeffersons
Mike Evans played Lionel Jefferson on two different shows: All in the Family and The Jeffersons, yet that didn’t stop him from being replaced. After the actor left following the show’s first season to focus more on Good Times, Mike Evans would replace him from seasons 2 through 4. Evans would return to the show starting in season 6.
Jeff – Better Call Saul
A minor character, but an important one nonetheless.
Jeff recognizes Gene Takavic as Saul Goodman, forcing him back into a world of crime. He plays an important role in the series’ final season, but there’s just one issue: he was recast. Don Harvey played Jeff in Seasons 4 and 5, but Pat Healy assumed the role for Season 6 due to scheduling conflicts.
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