10 Worst TV Character Recasts, Ranked (2024)

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 try to reconcile how a character they have come to know for, in some cases, several seasons, now suddenly looks completely different. Some of the worst TV character recasts, however, are pretty iconic.

10 Katie Kane

'Batwoman' (2019–2022)

A complicated story, Batwoman was greenlit with Ruby Rose, known from her role on Orange 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 Day came on board to portray the character, but she took a backseat in favor of Javicia Leslie coming 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.

Batwoman

TV-14

Superhero

Adventure

Crime

Action

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Release Date

October 6, 2019

Creator(s)

Caroline Dries

Cast

Nicole Kang , Javicia Leslie , Meagan Tandy , Ruby Rose , Dougray Scott , Camrus Johnson , Rachel Skarsten

Seasons

3

9 Greg Serrano

'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' (2015–2019)

The recasting had to be done since Santino Fontana decided not to return to reprise his role as Greg Serrano once his contract ended. But as was typical with Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, the show decides to handle the recasting in the funniest way possible. Skyler Astin stepped 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 of Crazy 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.

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Where to Watch

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Release Date

October 12, 2015

Cast

Donna Lynne Champlin , Vincent Rodriguez III , Gabrielle Ruiz , Scott Michael Foster

See Also

10 Best Supernatural Teen Drama TV Shows

Seasons

4

Main Genre

Comedy

8 Charlie Harper/Walden Schmidt

'Two And a Half Men' (2003–2015)

The actual character of Charlie in Two and Half Men wasn’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 Sheen departed the series, and his namesake character was killed off in a sweeping decision to end that chapter of the show. Ashton Kutcher was 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. But by those last few seasons, it had become a very different show.

Two and a Half Men

TV-14

Where to Watch

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Release Date

September 22, 2003

Creator

Lee Aronsohn, Chuck Lorre

Cast

Ashton Kutcher , Conchata Ferrell , Amber Tamblyn , Jon Cryer , Angus T. Jones

Seasons

12

Main Genre

Comedy

7 Alexis Carrington

'Dynasty' (2017–2022)

In true soap opera fashion, Dynasty was 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 of Dynasty's wildest story arcs. First played by Nicollette 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 by Elaine 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.

Dynasty had more re-casting drama when between Seasons 2 and 3, the character Cristal Jennings looked completely different, first played by Ana Brenda Contreras, then by Daniella 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.

Dynasty

Where to Watch

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Release Date

January 12, 1981

Cast

John Forsythe , Linda Evans , Joan Collins , Heather Locklear , Gordon Thomson , Jack Coleman , Michael Nader , Stephanie Beacham

Seasons

9

Main Genre

Drama

6 Darrin Stephens

'Bewitched' (1964–1972)

Dick York had become synonymous with the character of Darrin Stephens on Bewitched after playing him for the series' five seasons. The chemistry between him and Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery) was perfect on screen. So, when he was replaced by Dick Sargent for 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. But fans were sad to see the beloved character go, even if they were understanding as to why he had no choice.

Bewitched

TV-G

Comedy

Family

Fantasy

Where to Watch

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Release Date

September 17, 1964

Creator(s)

Sol Saks

Cast

Elizabeth Montgomery , Dick York , Dick Sargent , Agnes Moorehead , David White , Erin Murphy , George Tobias , Kasey Rogers

Seasons

8

5 Harriet Winslow

'Family Matters' (1989–1998)

Family Matters, one of the best ‘90s sitcoms, and through the sitcom’s nine-season run, Jo Marie Payton portrayed 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 with TVSeriesFinale.com. She agreed to stay until midseason to maintain continuity, but Entertainment Tonight reports 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

Comedy

Family

Where to Watch

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Release Date

September 22, 1989

Creator

William Bickley, Michael Warren

Cast

Reginald VelJohnson , Darius McCrary , Jaleel White

Seasons

9

4 Laurie Forman

'That '70s Show' (1998–2006)

Laurie Forman was just a peripheral character on That ‘70s Show, so it wasn’t a massive deal when she was recast. Nonetheless, the switch was felt since Lisa Robin Kelly had 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, telling ABC that 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 by Christina 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

TV-14

Comedy

Sitcom

Where to Watch

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Release Date

August 23, 1998

Creator

Mark Brazill, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner

Cast

Topher Grace , Laura Prepon , Mila Kunis , Ashton Kutcher , Wilmer Valderrama , Debra Jo Rupp , Kurtwood Smith , Danny Masterson

Seasons

8

3 Chrissy Snow

'Three's Company' (1977–1984)

One of the most talked about casting changes from the 1970s was in Three’s Company, one of the best ‘70s sitcoms. The dynamic among the late John Ritter, Joyce DeWitt, and the late Suzanne Somers as 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 like People. Jenilee Harrison was brought in to play Cindy, Chrissy’s cousin who moves in. She was later replaced by Priscilla Barnes as 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

TV-PG

Release Date

March 15, 1977

Creator

Don Nicholl, Michael Ross, Bernard West, Brian Cooke, Johnnie Mortimer

Cast

John Ritter , Joyce DeWitt , Priscilla Barnes , Don Knotts , Richard Kline , Norman Fell

Seasons

8

Main Genre

Comedy

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2 Becky Conner

'Roseanne' (1988–1997)

One of the most notable re-casts in TV history came when the eldest Conner child Becky in Roseanne went from being played by Lecy Goranson to Sarah Chalke in 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 series The 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.

Roseanne

Comedy

Drama

Where to Watch

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Release Date

October 18, 1988

Cast

Roseanne Barr , John Goodman , Laurie Metcalf , Sara Gilbert , Alicia Goranson

Seasons

10

1 Vivian Banks

'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' (1990–1996)

There was behind-the-scenes drama in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air that is no fault of either Janet Hubert or Daphne 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-Air tried to make light of it, breaking the fourth wall after 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.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

TV-PG

Where to Watch

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Release Date

September 10, 1990

Cast

Will Smith , James Avery , Tatyana Ali , Joseph Marcell , alfonso ribeiro , Karyn Parsons , Daphne Reid

Seasons

6

Main Genre

Comedy

NEXT: The Worst Movie Recasts

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