These tricky actor replacements worked out better than anyone expected.

BY JACK POOLEY
NOVEMBER 10TH, 2023

TV shows are tough enough to make without having to deal with the colossal headache of replacing an actor mid-production, which at worst can threaten to derail a series entirely.

Replacing an actor for one of many reasons - their quitting, firing, or death - requires delicate consideration from those in charge, to ensure that whoever's drafted in to take over fits the bill and won't alienate the fanbase.

And so, inspired by this recent Reddit thread on the very subject, these 10 actor replacements just might be the finest that TV has ever seen.

Now to be clear, actor replacements aren't strictly limited to mere recastings - in some cases a departing actor was replaced with another performer who played a new, typically similar character intended to fill the void left in their wake.

Despite considerable skepticism in most of these instances, everything ultimately worked out for the best, with the replacement actor either matching or even exceeding the efforts of their predecessor (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MorePopularReplacement).

And so, the next time you get ready to pitch a fit about an actor replacement in your favorite TV show, remember that it can work out for the best...

10. Jerry Stiller Replaced John Randolph - Seinfeld (https://whatculture.com/tv/10-best-actor-replacements-on-tv-shows)

9. Rose McGowan Replaced Shannen Doherty - Charmed (https://whatculture.com/tv/10-best-actor-replacements-on-tv-shows?page=2)

8. Jonathan Banks Replaced Chevy Chase - Community (https://whatculture.com/tv/10-best-actor-replacements-on-tv-shows?page=3)

7. Bruce Greenwood Replaced Frank Langella - The Fall Of The House Of Usher (https://whatculture.com/tv/10-best-actor-replacements-on-tv-shows?page=4)

6. Jeri Ryan Replaced Jennifer Lien - Star Trek: Voyager (https://whatculture.com/tv/10-best-actor-replacements-on-tv-shows?page=5)

5. Liam McIntre Replaced Andy Whitfield - Spartacus (https://whatculture.com/tv/10-best-actor-replacements-on-tv-shows?page=6)

4. Lamorne Morris Replaced Damon Wayans Jr. - New Girl (https://whatculture.com/tv/10-best-actor-replacements-on-tv-shows?page=7)

3. Robert Llewellyn Replaced David Ross - Red Dwarf (https://whatculture.com/tv/10-best-actor-replacements-on-tv-shows?page=8)

2. Rob Lowe & Adam Scott Replaced Paul Schneider - Parks & Recreation (https://whatculture.com/tv/10-best-actor-replacements-on-tv-shows?page=9)

1. Woody Harrelson Replaced Nicholas Colasanto - Cheers (https://whatculture.com/tv/10-best-actor-replacements-on-tv-shows?page=10)