16 Times TV Shows Replaced Characters With Similar Actors

Three's Company.The show became a popular sitcom. This happened because of the comedic chemistry between the main characters.The three main characters.: Janet, Jack, and Chrissy. When Suzanne Somers left for a salary dispute, producers needed a replacement for Chrissy. They brought in Jennilee Harrison in Seasons 5 and 6 as Chrissy's cousin, Cindy.

Cindy shared traits with Chrissy. Cindy took Chrissy's job working for Mr. Hadley and moved into her bedroom. Cindy's main trait was clumsiness, causing many exaggerated physical gags. Later, Terri replaced Cindy; Priscilla Barnes played Terri, who also auditioned for the role.

Viewers might miss this cast change. The pairing looked almost identical to the leads they replaced. Bo and Luke were the fun-loving Duke brothers, fighting Boss Hogg's schemes in Hazzard County, GA. In Season 5, John Schneider and Tom Wopat had a salary dispute. Writers improvised: Coy and Vance, Duke cousins, appeared suddenly to take over while Bo and Luke supposedly raced in NASCAR.

The cousins matched Bo and Luke in personality. The change happened last minute, and scripts focused on Bo and Luke. By the end of Season 5, the dispute ended, and Bo and Luke returned to Hazzard County with their Dodge Charger, making fans happy.

Dr. Doug Ross and Nurse Carol Hathaway formed one of the main romances at Cook County General Hospital onKovač and Lockhart scrubbed in for Ross and Hathaway on 'ER'.When Ross left because Clooney pursued a film career, Luka Kovač took Dr. Ross's spot. Kovač had a different personality but shared qualities with Ross, like a love for children and interest in Carol Hathaway. After Hathaway left a season later to start a family with Ross, Abby Lockhart stepped up. She moved from a guest role as Hathaway's delivery nurse to a series regular working through her med school rotation in the ER.

Kovač and Lockhart started a relationship with ups and downs. This captured romance-seeking fans after Ross and Hathaway's love story ended.

Cora Hale joined the ensemble of Malia Tate.Malia Tate appeared in 'Teen Wolf'.in Season 3 as Derek Hale's younger sister and a werewolf like her family. She bonded with Scott and Stiles. Cora was one of the first female werewolves in the main cast. She vanished halfway through Season 3 and never came back.

Malia Tate appeared after Cora left. Malia Tate was a were-coyote. She grew up without knowing her real family. Malia lived mostly in her wild coyote form in the woods. Main characters took her into their group. They helped her adjust to normal life. Malia became a major part of the group. She became a lead actor as more series regulars left the show.

The first episode ofNew GirlJess moved in with male friends: Nick, Schmidt, and Coach. Damon Wayans Jr., who played Coach, left the show right after the pilot because of a commitment to another sitcom.CoachDamon Wayans Jr., who played Coach, left the show immediately after the pilot due to a commitment on another sitcom.Happy EndingsThe show worked his departure into the plot. Roommates searched for someone to fill Coach's room and found the new series regular, Winston, played by Lamorne Morris, who he did not expect to get renewed.

Winston was a former roommate, so he had existing relationships with the other guys, keeping Jess as the "New Girl" she was meant to be. Winston and Coach were so popular that Coach returned in Season 3, and Winston remained part of the show for the rest of its run.remained a part of the showfor the rest of its run.

Sam Seaborn served as the deputy communications director at the White House for the first four seasons ofThe West WingActor Rob Lowe grew unhappy as Sam, who was meant to be the show's main character, became less important as the show progressed. Lowe left at the end of Season 4. After President Bartlett was re-elected, Seaborn left to run for Congress and recommended Will Bailey to take his place.

Joshua Malina played Bailey, who became a series regular until the end of the show. Bailey took over Seaborn's job and later became chief of staff to the Vice President. Will faced a tough time joining the White House staff, getting hazed initially, but he became an important part of the ensemble later in the series.

A show about the "Power of Three" seemed doomed when one sister died inCharmedCharmed navigated Shannen Doherty's exit between seasons three and four well. Doherty's character, Prue, died fighting a demon at the end of Season 3. Rose McGowan joined in Season 4, playing Paige, half-sister to the Halliwells, Phoebe and Piper. An earlier plot showed their mother had an affair with her whitelighter, so Paige was written into the show as a half-witch, half-whitelighter child.

Paige shared Prue's telekinesis power, though hers worked a bit differently because she had a whitelighter half. She filled a different role in the trio as the youngest sibling; Prue was the oldest.

This teen drama focused on twins Brenda and Brandon Walsh moving from Minnesota to Beverly Hills and the culture shock they faced. Season 4 brought Brenda to acting, leading her to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.Brenda went to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.Valerie Malone remained in England. Conflicts between actor Shannen Doherty and the production team caused Brenda to be cut. Brenda stayed in England. Valerie moved into Brenda's role at "Casa Walsh" in London.

Valerie came from Minnesota as a family friend, struggling after her father's suicide, which led the Walshes to take her home. Valerie shared a role with Brenda, adjusting to Beverly Hills. Valerie's darker past and manipulative nature added extra drama during her time on the show.

People who grew up with Blue's CluesBlue's CluesBlue's human friend Steve hosted the show through Seasons 1-4. At the start of Season 5, the show reported Steve had to leave for college, so he said goodbye to Blue and the audience. Actor Steve Burns was nearly 30 and wanted new chances. Joe, Steve's younger brother with a nearly identical personality and similar sweater, replaced him.

Fans attached to Steve felt sad about the change, so Nick Jr. aired reruns of the Steve seasons while the new Joe seasons aired.

This sitcom had a large ensemble cast from the blended family formed when Frank Lambert and Carol Foster married, each bringing three children from past marriages. Cody Lambert, Frank's nephew, lived in his van in the driveway, known for his dim-witted Valley stereotype, though he showed occasional wisdom.

Season 6 wrote Cody out. Jean-Luc, a beautician working with Carol at her salon, replaced him, bringing a new level of goofiness. Jean-Luc also left when actor Bronson Pinchot got a lead role on another sitcom.

Season 9 ofScrubsThe show got a soft reboot after the Season 8 finale ended the series. The show got a new subtitle: “Med School.” The main setting shifted from Sacred Heart hospital to a medical school. J.D. remained first, but focus moved to Lucy, a mentee of his, who became the new protagonist.

Lucy split the narration. She took over as the sole narrator from J.D. after Zach Braff left halfway through the season. Lucy had her own fantasies, just like J.D. did for the first eight seasons. The show canceled at the end of Season 9.

Cheers appeared in the list '16 Times TV Shows Replaced Characters With Similar Actors'.Cheers suffered a major loss. "Coach" Ernie Pantuso was written out in the third season after actor Nicholas Colasanto left.Woody Boyd suffered a heart attack.Woody Harrelson joined in Season 4 as Woody Boyd. He took Colasanto's role in the ensemble as a kind but dim-witted bartender.

Harrelson brought his own style to the role. He told different stories than Coach Pantuso. Being a young man figuring things out, he filled the spot of a bartender and a confused, well-meaning friend for the group. This honored the role Colasanto started on the show respectfully.Cheers appeared in the list '16 Times TV Shows Replaced Characters With Similar Actors'.Cheers welcomed and made people laugh for all 11 seasons it ran.

Mark Brandanawicz served as Pawnee's city planner during the first two seasons of Parks and Recreation.Ben Wyatt appeared in the list '16 Times TV Shows Replaced Characters With Similar Actors'.Ben Wyatt played the no-nonsense "straight man" in the comedy ensemble. Other characters called him by his full name. The show wrote him out after Season 2, and the show never mentioned him again because his character was not popular. Ben Wyatt first appeared in the last two episodes of Season 2 before joining the main cast in Season 3.

Ben's job differed slightly from Mark's; he arrived as a state auditor to sort Pawnee's budget crisis. Ben kept the role of a voice of reason focused on practical issues. Ben also became Leslie Knope's love interest. Ben succeeded more in both areas, staying a main cast member until the show ended and eventually marrying Leslie.

Andy Bernard was a member of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company starting in Season 3 of The Office.Andy Bernard appeared in the list '16 Times TV Shows Replaced Characters With Similar Actors'.Andy Bernard took over Michael Scott's role when the show needed a replacement. Andy became the Regional Manager of the Scranton Branch in Season 8 after Steve Carell left and took Michael with him.

Andy took Michael's job and gained traits like his well-meaning social ineptitude and his need to dodge responsibility for failure. Ed Helms plays both Andy versions well. Viewers see the shift from Andy's early, rigid, ambitious yes-man to his anxious and arrogant state when he leads the office.

Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher both left the main cast.That '70s ShowAfter Season 7, producers scrambled to fill those roles. Josh Meyers started as Eric, planned to joke about his new look, but instead, he became Randy, a character designed to replace both Eric and Kelso.

Randy combined Eric's humor and group leader role with Kelso's handsomeness and dating luck. Because Randy only had good traits from both characters, or maybe because he replaced fan favorites so late, fans did not like Randy much. He played a small part in the series finale to make room for Eric's return.

Two and a Half MenThe sitcom was a mainstay in the mid-2000s, gaining fame from Charlie Sheen. Sheen left the show at the end of Season 8 due to personal issues, including drug use, and his character Charlie Harper died. Ashton Kutcher joined to bring new star power. He became billionaire Walden Schmidt, who bought Charlie's house after his death.

Walden, though unrelated to Alan and Jake, invites them to stay at the house. He becomes close with them, keeping the main group together. Walden shared Charlie's traits, like his looks and interest in women. Audiences accepted the sudden change; ratings jumped from Season 8 to Season 9.