MomSkoop
TV shows go through a lot of changes before they become the hits we love. Sometimes, the biggest changes happen behind the scenes, like when a main actor is replaced before the second season even begins.
Whether they were fired, chose to leave, or simply weren’t the right fit, these stories are fascinating glimpses into how unpredictable Hollywood can be. From fantasy epics to beloved sitcoms, here are 15 actors who didn’t make it past season one.
1. Tamzin Merchant on ‘Game of Thrones’
Before Emilia Clarke became the Mother of Dragons, another actress held that title — at least during the unaired pilot.
Tamzin Merchant was originally cast as Daenerys Targaryen in the Game of Thrones pilot episode.
After HBO decided to reshoot the pilot, the role was recast and Emilia Clarke stepped in, going on to become one of the most iconic characters in television history.
Merchant has spoken openly about moving on from the experience.
She went on to appear in shows like The Tudors and Carnival Row, proving that sometimes a closed door leads to a better path.
2. Phil Bruns on ‘Seinfeld’
Most Seinfeld fans know Jerry’s dad as the lovable, excitable Morty Seinfeld, played by Barney Martin.
But in the very first season, the role belonged to someone else entirely.
Phil Bruns played Morty Seinfeld in the show’s pilot episode.
Producers felt his portrayal didn’t quite match the vision they had for the character, so before season two, Barney Martin was brought in as a replacement.
Bruns continued working steadily in television throughout his career, appearing in dozens of shows.
His brief Seinfeld appearance is now mostly a fun trivia answer for die-hard fans of the classic comedy.
3. Ross Butler on ‘Riverdale’
Ross Butler had great chemistry with the Riverdale cast, but scheduling conflicts had other plans for him.
Butler played Reggie Mantle during the show’s first season, bringing a confident, athletic energy to the role.
When season two came around, he had already committed to his role as Zach Dempsey on Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why, making it impossible to continue on both shows at once.
Charles Melton stepped in as Reggie for season two and beyond.
Butler later spoke warmly about his time on the show, saying it was a tough but necessary decision given the exciting opportunities coming his way.
4. Jane Levy on ‘Shameless’
Jane Levy’s time on Shameless was short but left a mark on those who noticed the change between seasons.
She played Mandy Milkovich in the first season of the American version of Shameless.
When season two began production, the role was recast with Emma Greenwell taking over.
Levy had landed the lead role in Suburgatory on ABC, which directly conflicted with her Shameless schedule.
Suburgatory turned out to be a strong move for Levy, running for three seasons and earning her considerable attention.
Looking back, the timing worked out well for her career, even if fans of Shameless barely had time to get used to her.
5. Jordan Reid on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”
Not every pilot makes it to air exactly as it was filmed, and the gang from Paddy’s Pub knows that better than most.
Jordan Reid played a character in the original unaired pilot of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
When the show was picked up and officially produced, the role was recast.
Kaitlin Olson came on board as Dee Reynolds and quickly became one of the most beloved characters in the entire series.
Reid went on to build a career as a lifestyle blogger and author rather than pursuing acting further.
Meanwhile, It’s Always Sunny became one of the longest-running live-action comedy series in American TV history.
6. Riff Regan on ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’
Before Willow Rosenberg became the beloved, bookish best friend that fans adored, another actress brought her to life in the unaired Buffy pilot.
Riff Regan played Willow in the original 1996 Buffy the Vampire Slayer presentation pilot.
When the show was picked up by The WB network, Alyson Hannigan was cast in the role instead.
Hannigan’s portrayal became iconic, and she stayed with the series through all seven seasons.
Regan didn’t pursue a long acting career after that.
Still, her brief turn as the original Willow is a fascinating footnote in Buffy history, reminding fans how differently things could have turned out for one of TV’s most beloved shows.
7. James Neate on ‘Pretty Little Liars’
Pretty Little Liars had its share of mysteries on screen, but one of its lesser-known secrets happened before the show even officially aired.
James Neate appeared in the unaired pilot of Pretty Little Liars in a supporting role.
When the show was officially picked up and the pilot was reshot, his character was recast.
The revamped version went on to become a massive hit for ABC Family, running for seven seasons.
Neate’s involvement in the show is rarely discussed, largely because the original pilot never aired publicly.
It serves as a reminder that what viewers see on screen is often the result of multiple rounds of changes happening quietly behind the scenes.
8. Rachel Dratch on ’30 Rock’
Rachel Dratch and Tina Fey go way back, both coming up together through the ranks of Saturday Night Live.
So it made total sense that when Fey created 30 Rock, she cast Dratch as one of the leads.
Dratch was originally set to play Jenna Maroney, the vain and dramatic actress at the center of much of the show’s humor.
But after the pilot was filmed, NBC felt she wasn’t the right fit for the role, and Jane Krakowski was brought in instead.
Dratch still appeared in 30 Rock multiple times in various small roles throughout the series.
Fey made sure her friend stayed part of the show, just in a very different way than originally planned.
9. Alessandra Torresani on ‘Arrested Development’
Arrested Development is known for its dense, layered humor and a cast that clicked together perfectly.
But that cast almost looked a little different.
Alessandra Torresani played Ann Veal, the deeply religious and awkward girlfriend of Michael Bluth’s son George Michael, in the show’s original pilot.
When the series was officially picked up, the role was recast and Mae Whitman stepped in, delivering a performance so memorable it inspired the famous “her?” running joke.
Torresani went on to find success in other roles, most notably as Zoe Graystone in Caprica.
Still, Whitman’s version of Ann became so embedded in the show’s comedy that it’s hard to imagine anyone else in the part.
10. Jennifer Ehle on ‘Game of Thrones’
Game of Thrones wasn’t the only show to recast roles after its pilot — it actually did it twice, making its behind-the-scenes history even more remarkable.
Jennifer Ehle, best known for her acclaimed role as Elizabeth Bennet in the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice, was originally cast as Catelyn Stark.
After the pilot was filmed and the decision was made to reshoot, Michelle Fairley took over the role and delivered a raw, emotional performance throughout the series.
Ehle has said she left the production due to personal reasons.
Her departure, along with Tamzin Merchant’s, makes Game of Thrones one of the most dramatically recast pilots in recent television history.
11. Alex Borstein on ‘Gilmore Girls’
Long before she became Emmy-winning Susie Myerson on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Alex Borstein almost played one of television’s quirkiest diner owners.
Borstein was originally cast as Sookie St. James in the Gilmore Girls pilot, the lovably clumsy and talented chef who is Lorelai’s best friend.
However, she was unable to take the role because of her existing contract with MADtv, a sketch comedy show she was a main cast member of at the time.
Melissa McCarthy stepped in and made Sookie one of the most beloved characters of the entire series.
McCarthy’s breakout role on Gilmore Girls eventually launched her into major film stardom, all thanks to a scheduling conflict.
12. Lisa Kudrow on ‘Frasier’
What if Roz Doyle had been played by the woman who would later become Phoebe Buffay?
It almost happened, and it would have changed everything.
Lisa Kudrow was originally cast as Roz, Frasier Crane’s sharp and confident radio producer, in Frasier.
She was let go before the show premiered, with producers feeling her comedic style wasn’t the right match for the character.
Peri Gilpin was brought in and played Roz for all eleven seasons of the beloved sitcom.
Kudrow quickly landed the role of Phoebe on Friends, which debuted the same year.
The rest is television history, as Friends became one of the most popular sitcoms ever made.
13. Shailene Woodley on ‘The O.C.’
Before she was fighting dystopian governments in Divergent, Shailene Woodley had a very early brush with one of the biggest teen dramas of the 2000s.
Woodley was cast in the pilot of The O.C. as Kaitlin Cooper, the younger sister of main character Marissa.
She filmed the pilot but was ultimately replaced by Shiri Appleby before the show began airing.
When Kaitlin later returned as a more prominent character in season three, the role was recast again with Willa Holland.
Woodley was only around 11 or 12 years old at the time.
She eventually went on to massive success, proving that being replaced early in your career doesn’t have to define where you end up.
14. Ruby Rose on ‘Batwoman’
Ruby Rose made history when she became the first openly gay actress to headline a major superhero series.
But her time in the cape was shorter than anyone expected.
Rose starred as Kate Kane, also known as Batwoman, throughout the entire first season of the CW series.
Before season two began filming, she announced her departure from the show, citing the intense physical demands of the role and a serious spine injury she had suffered on set.
The show responded by introducing an entirely new character, Ryan Wilder, played by Javicia Leslie, rather than simply recasting Kate Kane.
Leslie became the first Black actress to portray Batwoman in a live-action production.
15. Jeffrey Hunter on ‘Star Trek’
Star Trek would not be Star Trek without Captain Kirk, but the show’s very first captain was actually someone else entirely.
Jeffrey Hunter played Captain Christopher Pike in the original Star Trek pilot, “The Cage,” filmed in 1964.
NBC rejected the pilot but asked for a second one, and Hunter chose not to return.
His wife reportedly advised him that science fiction television was beneath his talents as a film actor.
William Shatner was cast as Captain James T.
Kirk for the second pilot, and the rest became pop culture legend.
Hunter’s original pilot footage was later woven into a two-part episode, giving his Captain Pike a small but lasting place in Trek history.