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TV recasts happen when an actor has to leave the show suddenly due to multiple reasons, and the character they played has to be portrayed by a new actor. While actors leaving the show is a common occurrence, and it happens due to reasons like scheduling conflicts or behind-the-scenes tensions, it is always a risky move to have TV recasts.
It is because viewers get used to a certain actor playing the role of their favorite character, and when a new actor comes in, it can lead to negative reviews. However, there have been times when the TV recasts have been for the better. Here are 10 TV recasts that turned out better than expected.
Noah Centineo, Jane Sibbett, and other TV recasts that turned out better than expected
1. Michiel Huisman replaced Ed Skrein as Daario Naharis
In Game of Thrones season 4, the role of Daario Naharis was recast, and instead of Ed Skrein, it was Michiel Huisman who essayed the role. Naharis was the leader of the Second Sons and was a highly skilled warrior. Therefore, it was an important part of the series. While Ed Skrein’s departure was sudden and caused some confusion, Michiel Huisman stepped up and became one of the better TV recasts swiftly.
Even though Ed Skrein’s physical appearance was more in line with the book’s description of the character, as having long hair, the actor’s portrayal did feel out of place. On the other hand, Huisman brought a dark and serious energy to the character and was able to recreate Daario’s charm. Huisman also gave the character depth and plenty of layers, which makes his recast one of the better TV recasts.
2. Javicia Leslie replaced Ruby Rose as Batwoman
The TV show Batwoman went through its fair share of recasts. It ultimately saw three actresses play the title role. The first actress was Ruby Rose, who got famous for her role in Orange is the New Black. However, she essayed the role for only one season and left the show after she made allegations that the set of the show was unsafe.
While Kate returned to the show, the part was recast and played by Wallis Day. After some time, the part was recast and a different character, Ryan Wilder, was introduced. Javicia Leslie was brought in to play this role, and she essayed the role till the show’s end. Ryan Wilder was especially created for the show because no such character exists in the comics. However, the character was well received, and Leslie’s performance was one of the better TV recasts.
3. Charles Melton replaced Ross Butler as Reggie Mantle
Riverdale’s first season was a viral hit and kept the characters of the beloved Archie comics alive in the present generation. However, the arrogant and proud Reggie Mantle character was initially played by Ross Butler on the show.
But Butler had to leave the show after the first season because of filming conflicts, as he was also cast in 13 Reasons Why. As Butler left, his vacuum was filled by Charles Melton, who brought a new energy to the character. Melton was able to quickly embody the persona of Mantle, and audiences were able to see Reggie Mantle in him.
Interestingly, Butler did return in the show’s 100th episode and starred opposite his successor. As the seasons went by, Melton was able to make Reggie Mantle his own and proved to be one of the better TV recasts. Even Mantle’s chemistry with co-star Camila Mendes’ Veronica improved, and therefore, Melton’s portrayal was one of the wiser TV recasts.
4. Jane Sibbett replaced Anita Barone as Carol Willick
Friends is one of the most beloved shows around the world, and even though the series stopped a few decades back, it is still a part of pop culture and reignited furious debates surrounding its characters and plots. Because the show enjoyed so much fan loyalty, it was always a tense decision whenever an actor had to be recast, as it could lead to negative reviews.
While none of the major characters were ever recast, a secondary character was. Ross’s ex-wife Carol was an important recurring character on the show and was portrayed by Anita Barone in one of the episodes. However, the show had to recast the character, and Jane Sibbett went on to play the role in the first season and onwards.
Sibbett turned out to be one of the better TV recasts as viewers loved her portrayal and she became synonymous with Carol. Sibbett not only essayed her role well, but she also had great chemistry with Ross, played by David Schwimmer, and other cast members.
5. Nathan Parsons replaced Luke Grimes as James Kent
True Blood is an intense show about vampires, and originally, it was Luke Grimes who played the part of James Kent on the show. For fans of Luke Grimes, who know him from Yellowstone, it is interesting to note that he made his TV debut on this show about vampires.
However, Grimes stayed in the show’s sixth season and was soon replaced by Nathan Parsons for the series’ final season. At the time, the reason for the recasting was that it had been done for the creative direction of the character. Many speculated that Luke Grimes was uncomfortable with his character James having a homosexual relationship with Lafayette, which was played by Nelsan Ellis.
However, whatever the reason, Parsons was willing to take on the character from wherever Grimes had left it and did a stellar job of portraying the role. His recasting was one of the better TV recasts, and Parsons embodied the role of James Kent.
6. Skylar Astin replaced Santino Fontana as Greg Serrano
Greg Serrano was an important character on the show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and Santino Fontana did a decent job portraying the character in seasons 1 and 2. However, Fontana had to leave the show because he had to go to business school and wanted to work on other projects. Further, Fontana’s contract with the show was only for one season.
Thereafter, the character of Greg Serrano returned to the show in the fourth season, but it was played by Skylar Astin. The recast was justified as Greg had issues with alcoholism during Fontana’s tenure, and therefore, when he comes back sober and more stable, he is in a new avatar.
Further, Serrano had a tumultuous relationship with Rebecca, played by Rachel Bloom, when Fontana was playing the role. When Astin entered to play Greg, Rebecca was able to truly see him in a different light. While Astin played the role of Greg for only one season, his performance went well with the character, and it worked considering the context. Therefore, it was one of the better TV recasts.
7. Mae Whitman replaced Alessandra Torresani as Ann Veal
Ann Veal was an interesting character in Arrested Development. She was George Michael's girlfriend, played by Michael Cera, and also briefly dated Gob, played by Will Arnett. While Alessandra Torresani initially played the role in season 1, her departure from the show and her recasting were supposed to be infused in the show through humor.
Mae Whitman took over the role and quickly became one of the better TV recasts. The character of Ann Veal was supposed to be played by a different actress in each episode, as a recurring joke about Ann’s lack of memorability. However, Mae Whitman was able to make the character more fleshed out and developed, and brought a certain sense of depth to the role of Ann Veal. Therefore, she earned a recurring spot on the show and became one of the better TV recasts.
8. Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden replaced Justin Roiland as Rick and Morty
Rick and Morty is one of the popular animated series, and emotions always run high when a recast happens in a beloved show. Therefore, when allegations against Justin Roiland came up in the news, there was a lot of conversation. The decision was taken to recast the voices of the lead characters with two voice actors.
While the viewers expressed concern over the new voice actors and how they could change the tone of the show, the TV recasts ultimately turned out well. Ian Cardoni voiced Rick, and Harry Belden voiced Morty in season 7. The recasting was not announced until after season 7 premiered, and it was a risky move.
However, it ended up being the right decision as fans and critics praised Cardoni and Belden for their performances and ability to recreate the iconic characters’ voices. It was therefore one of the better TV recasts.
9. Dan Stevens replaced Justin Roiland as Korvo
Justin Roiland’s other animated series, Solar Opposites, also saw a recast at the same time as Rick and Morty. Roiland used to voice the role of Korvo, who was an alien with blue skin and was known for being under constant stress. However, when Roiland left, it was Dan Stevens who filled in for the character of Korvo.
The recast was done in season 4 and turned out to be one of the better TV recasts. While Rick and Morty’s voice actors were able to bring alive an exact copy of the characters’ voices, this show took a different turn. Dan Stevens is British, and therefore, Korvo adopted an English accent.
While it sounded extremely different audio-wise, Stevens was able to quickly get into the role, and it made more sense for the character’s deadpan attitude. Stevens came from a live-action background, but he was able to fit into the role perfectly, and his arrival became one of the better TV recasts.
10. Noah Centineo replaced Jake T. Austin as Jesus Adams Foster
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Before Noah Centineo became famous for playing a dashing boyfriend in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, he was recast for the character of Jesus Adams Foster in the family drama, The Fosters. The role of Jesus was initially played by Jake T. Austin, and Centineo turned out to be one of the better TV recasts when he joined the series to play the second-oldest son.
Centineo was able to bring an easygoing charm and vulnerability to the character of Jesus, and Centineo also gave the character new depth as Jesus struggled with a traumatic brain injury and reconciled with his girlfriend-turned-fiancée. Therefore, the recasting of Centineo for the role of Jesus turned out to be one of the better TV recasts.
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