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Several major tv set shows featured a certain actor in the pilot installment that was recastfor the rest of the series . This may have been an stuffy airplane pilot shown to internet executives before the show formally aired — manyTV show spinoffs that never airedmet their end at this stage . An early fender like this allows producers to see what they have so far and settle if the serial is worth prosecute , or if some change need to be made before filming the rest of it — such as find an actor more suited to the character .
SomeTV recasts were even betterthan the player they replace , whether they happened straightaway after the first sequence or after in the show . The secret archetype that world-wide fan never see have immense value when it comes to perfecting the show , as many of the characters in inquiry were doubtlessly meant to be encounter by the final actor . The result isiconic television character it would be impossible to recastwho exchange the boldness of the industry .
persona
television set show
Original player
Replacement actor
Daenerys Targaryen
Game of Thrones
Tamzin Merchant
Emilia Clarke
Danny Tanner
Full House
Custom Image by Simone Ashmoore
John Posey
Bob Saget
Eleanor Waldorf
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
Gossip Girl
Florencia Lozano
Margaret Colin
Full House (1987) is a family sitcom centered on Danny Tanner, a widowed father, who enlists his brother-in-law Jesse and best friend Joey to help raise his three young daughters in San Francisco. The series features themes of family, friendship, and humor, showcasing the everyday challenges and heartwarming moments as they navigate life together. Full House starred Bob Saget, John Stamos, and Dave Coulier.
Toby Cavanaugh
Pretty Little Liars
James Neate
Set in New York, 2021’s Gossip Girl chronicles the lives of a new generation of private school teenagers who navigate social dynamics and scandals. Through the pervasive influence of social media, their secrets are exposed, while the anonymous titular blogger reveals the complexities of their intertwined relationships.
Keegan Allen
Meg Griffin
Family Guy
Pretty Little Liars is a Teen Drama and Mystery series based on the novel by Sara Shepard. The show was created by Marlene King and stars Troian Bellisario, Ashley Benson, and Holly Marie Combs. The series revolves around four friends who meet back up with one another and begin to receive strange threats from an unknown source simply labeled “A."
Rachael McFarlane
Mila Kunis
Tara Thornton
Family Guy is an animated series following the eccentric Griffin family. Led by bumbling patriarch Peter and long-suffering Lois, the family includes the sadistic baby Stewie, unpopular teenager Meg, dim-witted Chris, and Brian, their talking dog. The show explores their outlandish adventures in the fictional town of Quahog.
True Blood
Brook Kerr
Rutina Wesley
True Blood is a horror/fantasy drama series created by Alan Ball and starring Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, and Alexander Skarsgård. The series follows the life of Sookie Stackhouse, a waitress with telepathic powers that lives in a fictional town in Louisiana. In this town, a new synthetic “drug” has allowed vampires to escape their coffins and roam amongst the living.
Andi Burns
Man With A program
Jenna Fischer
In the fictional town of Star’s Hollow, single mother Lorelai Gilmore raises her high-achieving teenage daughter Rory. Mother and daughter rely on each other throughout their own life changes, romantic entanglements, and friendships.
Liza Snyder
Aang
Avatar : The Last Airbender
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a television series created by Joss Whedon, focusing on Buffy Summers, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, a young woman chosen to battle against vampires, demons, and other supernatural forces while navigating the complexities of teenage life.
Mitchel Musso
Zach Tyler Eisen
Sookie St. James
Gilmore Girls
Alex Borstein
Melissa McCarthy
Willow Rosenberg
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Riff Regan
Alyson Hannigan
10Game Of Thrones (2011-2019)
Tamzin Merchant As Daenerys Targaryen
Tamzin Merchant ’s on - concealment personas in fantasy and period dramas likeSalem , The Tudors , andCarnival Rowmake it possible to see why she was initially cast as Daenerys forGame of Thrones . Merchant has since let on that she was uncomfortable with some of the requirements of filming and even tried to back out beforehand but was confident to give it a dig by others ( viaEntertainment Weekly ) . Merchant had this to say :
" I think it ’s a will to Emilia Clarke for making that role iconic — she was obviously excited to tell that story , and she was heroic and excellent . But for me , it was n’t in my heart to differentiate it . "
HoweverGame of Thronesended , everyone is beaming that Emilia Clarke was the one to play the Mother of Dragons for its decade - long run . Clarke ’s iconic performance is one of the column of the milestone illusion series , delivering many unforgettable instant in Daenerys ' rise to exponent in Essos as she be after to make a bid for the Iron Throne . Daenerys is not the only character to be recast after the unseen pilot : Michelle Fairley also replaced Jennifer Ehle as Catelyn Stark .
base on George R. R. Martin ’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel serial , Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos . It keep up noble kinfolk like the Starks , Lannisters , and Targaryen vying for ascendence of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead predominate in the North . The serial received substantial decisive success and accumulate a loyal fan stand due to its high production values , straggle set , iconic characters , and disgraceful turn .
9Full House (1987-1995)
John Posey As Danny Tanner
Full Houseis inseparable from the ensemble stamp that portrayed the Tanner fellowship , and Bob Saget was always the first selection to play Danny Tanner . However , for a moment , the manufacturer conceive they would have to have go of this dreaming . Danny was recast forFull Housemultiple prison term purely because of Saget ’s fluctuating schedule . When it was believed that the role would need to be play by someone else , Full Housewent to relative newcomer John Posey , who shoot a pilot burner with the kid actors who played the Tanner kid .
When Saget’sThe Morning Programwas scratch and his schedule open up up , Posey was drop fromFull Houseand a new ( very exchangeable ) pilot program was film . Full Housebecame one of the most famous family sitcoms of all time , while Posey went on to come out in various pop shows , includingBetter Call Saul , How to Get Away with Murder , andTeen Wolf . However , Posey and some of his would - beFull Houseco - ace were apparently disgruntled by him suddenly being fired .
Full House ( 1987 ) is a family situation comedy centered on Danny Tanner , a widow father , who muster in his brother - in - law Jesse and best booster Joey to serve bring up his three new daughters in San Francisco . The serial feature themes of family , friendly relationship , and humor , showcasing the everyday challenge and heartwarming moments as they sail liveliness together . Full House star Bob Saget , John Stamos , and Dave Coulier .
8Gossip Girl (2007-2012)
Florencia Lozano As Eleanor Waldorf
Eleanor Waldorf and Lily van der Woodsen , the respective mothers of Blair and Serena , the two main characters ofGossip Girl , are both crucial figures in the serial . Both make the treacherous weewee of New York gamy society an intergenerational affair , as they are wrapped up in their own drama that inescapably affects their teen girl . In the first installment of the serial publication ( not an unaired pilot ) , Eleanor is played by Florencia Lozano .
After the first episode , Lozano was interchange by Margaret Colin , say to be because Lozano count too young to have a daughter Blair ’s age(viaMovieWeb ) . Colin ’s sharp performance as Eleanor became a memorable part ofGossip Girl , and most would agree that she was right for the role . Colin is also a better - screw actress , and studio executives were believably felicitous with the additional promotion she would bring .
jell in New York , 2021 ’s Gossip Girl chronicles the lives of a raw generation of individual school teenagers who navigate societal kinetics and scandals . Through the permeant influence of social media , their secret are exhibit , while the anonymous nominal blogger give away the complexities of their intertwine kinship .
7Pretty Little Liars (2010-2017)
James Neate As Toby Cavanaugh
Similar to Eleanor Waldorf , Toby was encounter by James Neate for his abbreviated appearance in the first installment ofPretty Little Liars , when the independent group sees Jenna and her stepbrother arrive at Alison ’s funeral . The reasons for him being replaced by Keegan Allen are unreadable , but Toby ’s role in the serial was always fluctuating . For instance , Allen expose ( viaTeen Vogue ) that he was only supposed to be in six episodes of the serial before his grapheme was killed off , true to the Holy Scripture ' storyline .
Allen ’s execution mayhap gave rise to the rooter campaign to keep Toby in the serial for the long run .
Allen ’s performance possibly gave rise to the fan campaign to keep Toby in the series for the long run . Toby then finish up being Spencer ’s main lovemaking interest , something else that was n’t in thePretty Little Liarsbooks . Given how Toby ’s function acquire within the yield of the first time of year , it is not surprising that a recast happened at some pointedness .
Pretty Little Liars is a Teen Drama and Mystery series based on the novel by Sara Shepard . The show was created by Marlene King and stars Troian Bellisario , Ashley Benson , and Holly Marie Combs . The serial revolves around four friends who meet back up with one another and start to receive strange threats from an obscure source but labeled " A. "
Though there have been countless characters who have made their mark in television history , Ranker has highlighted those voted as the all - clock time best .
6Family Guy (1999-Present)
Rachael McFarlane As Meg Griffin
The true first episode ofFamily Guy , title " last Has A Shadow , " mostly follows the plot of land of Seth McFarlane ’s unaired cowcatcher . His baby Rachael McFarlane voiced Meg Griffinfor this unobserved episode . Presumably , McFarlane bestow her voice to the undertaking just to help her crony huckster it , and Meg was by rights roll once the series cull up . However , this was the beginning of the longstanding tradition of the creator ’s sister voicing an absurd telephone number of side characters inFamily Guy .
Meanwhile , Meg was recast again afterFamily Guyseason 1 . Lacey Chabert amicably left the show because she was still in gamy school at the time and was forced to select between projects to reserve time for her studies . Mila Kunis was then cast as Megand is now the actress most famously associated with the role . The consensus is that Kunis voicing Meg was overall the right choice for the show going frontwards .
Family Guy is an revivify serial following the eccentric Griffin kinsperson . Led by bumbling patriarch Peter and long - suffering Lois , the family includes the sadistic baby Stewie , unpopular teen Meg , dim - witted Chris , and Brian , their talking click . The show explores their outlandish adventures in the fabricated Ithiel Town of Quahog .
5True Blood (2008-2014)
Brook Kerr As Tara Thornton
True Bloodalso had to remould Tarato allow Rutina Wesley to become one of the cornerstones of the show . Some scenes featuring Brook Kerr as Sookie ’s childhood best friend in the unaired pilot film are uncommitted online , allowing fans to compare the performances . No prescribed reason was move over for remould Tara , with it being mistily said that Kerr left the bud adult lamia series due to"creative differences . “The many similarities between the original pilot and the one fan get under one’s skin advise that it was only re - filmed because of the recast .
Showrunner Alan Ball also enjoin ( viaThe New York Times ) that Wesley was cast off because she"was the first person who showed [ Tara ] ’s vulnerable side . “Given the limitations of her role in the first episode , accomplishing this in the eyes of the Godhead is impressive for Wesley to have done . Wesley remained a part of theTrue Bloodcast until the ending , launch her TV calling into other major series likeQueen SugarandThe Last of Us .
reliable lineage is a repulsion / fantasy drama series make by Alan Ball and starring Anna Paquin , Stephen Moyer , and Alexander Skarsgård . The serial follow the life of Sookie Stackhouse , a waitress with telepathic great power that lives in a fictitious townsfolk in Louisiana . In this townsfolk , a Modern synthetic " drug " has allow vampires to escape their casket and roam amongst the living .
4Man With A Plan (2016-2020)
Jenna Fischer As Andi Burns
Matt LeBlanc took another shot as a post - friends sitcom inMan with a Plan , in which he star as a contractile organ adapt to life as a stay - at - dwelling dad . Another sitcom old hand , Jenna Fischer , played LeBlanc ’s Adam ’s wife Andi in the unaired pilot . After that , she was replaced by Liza Snyder , who remained in the role for its four - season political campaign . Producers might have recollect having two huge sitcom star was a recipe for success , but by and by concluded that it was the opposite .
Fischer reportedly lost the purpose after the archetype when psychometric test audience reacted negatively because"Pam would n’t marry Joey”(viaDeadline ) . She break in an interview that she was told:“I do n’t believe Pam would marry Joey . The chemical science does n’t work between these two . “This is perhaps one of the most denotative lesson ever of the double - edged sword of having played such an iconic theatrical role when audiences ca n’t separate the histrion from the character . Either because LeBlanc was attached to the show first or had been a comedy picture for longer , he remain on control board while Fischer was let go .
3Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)
Mitchel Musso As Aang
Mitchel Musso almost total another democratic character to his survey in the 2000s environment of Disney Channel and Nickelodeon ’s parallel content . Musso is famously Oliver , one of Miley ’s two best friends in the classic Disney Channel seriesHannah Montana . Pre - Hannah Montana , Musso was in the running play to voice Aang forAvatar : The Last Airbenderand recorded the original pilot alongside Mae Whitman as Katara , then call Kya ( viaEntertainment Weekly ) .
During theHannah Montanaera , Musso did some great voice acting as DJ inMonster Houseand Jeremy inPhineas and Ferb , showcasing his talent in this area . However , he was still replaced by Zach Tyler Eisen forAvatar : The Last Airbender . Most fans of the original animated series do n’t have many complaints about its mould or storytelling , demo that recasting Aang was probably in the best pastime of the show .
Avatar : The Last Airbender is an Animated Fantasy and Adventure serial that appear on Nickelodeon and was created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko . The serial feature voices from Zach Tyler Eisen , Jack DeSena , Dante Basco , and Mae Whitman . The premiss observe a young male child mention Aang , an Air Bender who is determine to be the next Avatar , master of all element , in a bit to unite the nations together and bring ataraxis .
2Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)
Alex Borstein As Sookie St. James
Alex Borstein as Sookie , the pass chef at the Independence Inn inGilmore Girls , might have been fun to see . Borstein was already known forFamily Guy , and far in the hereafter , would dazzle and kindle endless laugh as Susie , Midge ’s no - nonsense managing director inThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel . Despite her comedic talent and electric potential to shine in this role , Borstein was unable to get out of another contract , leadingGilmore Girlsto recast Sookieas the then - comparatively unknown Melissa McCarthy .
This character helped launch McCarthy ’s career , while Borstein was already an establish star .
This role help establish McCarthy ’s life history , while Borstein was already an found star . Based on Borstein ’s harsh performance inThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel , it ’s easy to see how McCarthy was proficient for Sookie ’s ardent and supportive personality . serve it to say , both actress have head enormously successful careers , no matter the outcome ofGilmore Girls .
In the fabricated townsfolk of Star ’s Hollow , single mother Lorelai Gilmore raises her richly - achieving teenage daughter Rory . female parent and daughter swear on each other throughout their own life changes , romantic entanglements , and friendly relationship .
Though recast a darling TV grapheme is sometimes inevitable , that does n’t intend the actor who takes over for the role will be as good .
1Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
Riff Regan As Willow Rosenberg
Alyson Hannigan is another actor inextricably link up with an iconic role;in her case , the powerful witch in the making Willow in the milestone fantasy showBuffy the Vampire Slayer . Hannigan ’s functioning ranges from Willow ’s most timid and awkward moment to the strength of Dark Willow . It also admit the innovational portrayal of her relationship with Tara , a major here and now for LGBTQ+ theatrical in mainstream media .
Riff Regan filmed aBuffy the Vampire Slayerpilot before Willow was remodel . Producers reportedly did n’t feel like Regan was a fit for the persona or the series;Willow then end up being Hannigan ’s breakout role . TV allows for major changes like this because pilot are shown before a connection orders a full serial , which head to some casting option that fans are now grateful for and characters they could n’t think being represent by anyone else .
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a boob tube serial created by Joss Whedon , concentre on Buffy Summers , portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar , a young woman chosen to battle against vampires , demons , and other supernatural forces while navigating the complexness of teenaged life .
rootage : Entertainment Weekly , MovieWeb , Teen Vogue , The New York Times , Deadline
