Does anyone know why Dixie Carter left the show and was replace by Maryanne Mobley? They were both good actresses to me.

I thought Dixie left because she was offered the role of Julia Sugarbaker on Designing Women.

Designing Women didn't premiere until 1986, the same year Diff'rent Strokes went off. I always thought they could've kept DS for another season or two.

I think alot of it had to do with the show moving from NBC to ABC - maybe she had an exclusive contract to NBC. I've heard rumors that she did not get along with some of the cast members, especially Dana Plato..

Originally posted by ToddAO70:
I thought Dixie left because she was offered the role of Julia Sugarbaker on Designing Women. You are correct!!! I know because I am her little girl!