10 Surprising TV Character Recastings You Might Have Missed

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A lot happens behind the scenes of TV shows before they even air. Pilots are filmed, scripts are rewritten, and creative plans can change quickly. This sometimes leads to actors being replaced, even after filming a pilot episode. Often, the original actor isn’t available if the show is approved, and producers need to find someone new. Occasionally, personal issues or disagreements also cause a role to be recast.

Sometimes, even after a TV show has started, it becomes necessary to replace an actor. This can happen because actors age, and producers might want someone who looks or feels younger for the role. It also occurs when a character becomes more important than originally planned, leading creators to find an actor who can handle the increased demands and emotional depth of the part as the show goes on.

Sometimes when actors are replaced on a TV show, it’s so smooth that viewers don’t even notice. Other times, the change is obvious, particularly if the original actor strongly established the character’s personality. With so much happening behind the scenes in television, recasting is often necessary to keep a show going, regardless of whether the audience expects it or not.

As a fan, I’ve noticed how often shows actually recast actors! It’s surprisingly common. Sometimes it happens right at the beginning, before the show really finds its footing, and other times it’s years into the series. Occasionally, the show will playfully acknowledge the change, but a lot of the time it just… happens. But you know what’s interesting? Every single recast, whether big or small, somehow changes the way the show feels, the story it tells, or how much it impacts you emotionally.

It’s common for TV shows to replace actors, and it’s just how the industry keeps going and changing. These changes can be small or cause a big reaction, but the show always finds a way to move forward, and beloved characters continue their stories. Surprisingly, a character can still feel familiar even with a new face, and you might even notice the difference when rewatching an old episode.

10. Morgan Matthews

Boy Meets World

Boy Meets World quickly became popular on ABC in 1993. While the show centered on Cory Matthews (Ben Savage), his family played important supporting roles. Cory’s siblings, Eric (Will Friedle) and Morgan (Lily Nicksay), frequently appeared, but the story always revolved around Cory’s experiences.

For the first two seasons, the actress played the cheerful and occasionally mischievous Morgan. However, as she got older, she became uncomfortable with being in the spotlight. She briefly left the show during the third season, and when the character was recast with a new actress, the show subtly acknowledged her departure before continuing the story. Many viewers probably didn’t even notice the change.

9. Kaitlin Cooper

The O.C.

The TV show The O.C. primarily followed the lives of its teenage characters – Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie), Seth Cohen (Adam Brody), Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton), and Summer Roberts (Rachel Bilson). However, a wider cast of characters, both younger and older, helped round out the show, and occasionally took center stage. Shailene Woodley, as the younger Kaitlin Cooper, was a notable example.

Early in the show, Kaitlin was a young girl focused on her pony. However, after her parents divorced and Marissa faced serious issues, the writers sent her away to boarding school. When she came back, a different actress, Willa Holland, played Kaitlin. This new version was older, more rebellious, and felt like a completely different character.

8. Reggie Mantle

Riverdale

When the darker version of the Archie comics came to life as the TV show Riverdale, characters like Archie Andrews (played by KJ Apa) and his friends began to develop their personalities. Reggie Mantle, a football player and sometimes rival to Archie, was part of the first season’s cast. Ross Butler originally played the role, and the first season of Riverdale quickly became a hit for The CW.

With a new season on the horizon, actor Trevor Butler faced a scheduling conflict because of his work on another show. As a result, Charles Melton took over the role of Reggie in Riverdale starting with season two and continued playing him for the rest of the series. In Riverdale’s final season, the show featured a playful alternate reality where both Melton and Butler portrayed versions of Reggie competing for Veronica Lodge (Camila Mendes)’s affection.

7. Beric Dondarrion

Game Of Thrones

The hit fantasy series Game of Thrones sometimes had to replace actors, and some of these changes were more noticeable than others. In one of the show’s first episodes, David Michael Scott quickly appeared as Beric Dondarrion – a moment many viewers might have missed. The character later became more important, and a different actor took on the role.

When Beric Dondarrion reappeared in season 3 of Game of Thrones with a more significant role, it made sense that the character was played by a different actor, Richard Dormer. Dormer quickly became known as the definitive Beric, and most fans accepted the change without question.

6. Carol Willick

Friends

From the start of Friends, it was obvious Ross Geller (David Schwimmer) was having a hard time dealing with his divorce from Carol Willick (Anita Barone). Their relationship, which had its ups and downs, was a continuing storyline. However, when Carol became pregnant, the show learned that Anita Barone wouldn’t be able to continue with the series.

Not long after the show began, and following a brief appearance by another actress, Jane Sibbett was cast as Carol. She brought a warmer and more relatable quality to the character, making Carol much more likable. Carol’s storyline continued throughout the series, and she became a consistent and supportive presence in Ross’s life.

5. Greg Serrano

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

The TV show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend kept things exciting, especially with how it handled cast changes. Greg Serrano, played by Santino Fontana, was a significant character and Rebecca Bunch’s on-again, off-again love interest in the first two seasons, so his exit felt like the end of his story arc.

Since actor Santino Fontana couldn’t return for the final season of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, the show cleverly explained the change in his character, Greg, by introducing a new actor, Skylar Astin, and having Rebecca not recognize him due to his altered appearance. This approach allowed the show to seamlessly recast the role without confusing viewers.

4. Jesus Adams Foster

The Fosters

MovieStillsDB

Similar to a plot device used in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, the show The Fosters made a significant casting change that fit with the storyline. In the early seasons, the character Jesus Adams Foster was played by Jake T. Austin, who viewers may recognize from Wizards Of Waverly Place. However, Austin decided to leave the show after season two.

When the characters came back, the storyline revealed that Jesus had suffered a serious brain injury, and Noah Centineo took on the challenge of portraying this. As Jesus’s character developed and grew, Centineo proved to be a great addition to the show, and fans of The Fosters generally embraced the change.

3. Becky Conner

Roseanne

I loved Roseanne! What was so clever about it was how they dealt with recasting. They always acknowledged it with a little playful nudge to the audience, and that became part of the show’s charm. Honestly, with Roseanne’s kids – Becky, Darlene, and DJ – being so central to everything, it was a real challenge to swap actors without it feeling weird. They handled it surprisingly well, though!

When Lecy Goranson left Roseanne to attend college before season 5, the show replaced her character, Becky, with Sarah Chalke. However, they would often bring Goranson back whenever her schedule allowed. The show cleverly used humor to acknowledge the change, letting the audience in on the joke, which is why the dual casting ultimately succeeded.

2. The Mountain

Game Of Thrones

Game of Thrones sometimes had trouble casting actors who weren’t immediately central to the plot but were meant to become important later on. While some actors had the potential to develop alongside the story, it didn’t always work out.

In the first season of Game of Thrones, Gregor Clegane, also known as The Mountain, was played by Conan Stevens. However, as the character became more prominent, the role was given to Ian Whyte in season two. The showrunners decided they needed someone with a different build for the part.

As The Mountain became a more important character, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, a strongman from Iceland, was chosen to play him and continued in the role for the rest of the series. While some viewers didn’t even notice the change in actors, those who did generally weren’t bothered by it.

1. Sookie St. James

Gilmore Girls

Although Melissa McCarthy became famous for playing Sookie St. James on Gilmore Girls, the show’s creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino, initially chose comedian Alex Borstein for the part. The two later collaborated on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, demonstrating their strong creative connection.

I remember hearing that Alex Borstein was actually in the very first, unreleased pilot for Gilmore Girls, but unfortunately, her schedule just didn’t allow her to stay with the show. That’s when Melissa McCarthy stepped in as Sookie, and honestly, she was perfect! She brought this amazing, cheerful energy to the role that really fit, and I can’t imagine Gilmore Girls without her now. She truly made the character her own.

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2025-12-04 21:12