It’s difficult enough to get a TV pilot picked up by a network, so when the higher-ups like everything except one actor…that actor has to go! Last minute recasting is all too common, and pilots must be recast and reshot in a hurry.
Here are our Top 5 Pilot recasts:
Daenerys Targaryen
In Game of Thrones, Emilia Clarke wasn’t cast until after they shot the first pilot; Daenerys Targaryen was originally played by Tamzin Merchant. Merchant definitely has the blonde hair, but we can't imagine anyone but Clarke being the Mother of Dragons.
Catelyn Stark
In other Game of Thrones pilot recasts, Catelyn Stark was originally slated for Jennifer Ehle.
Jenna Maroney
Perhaps the most publicized recast was Rachel Dratch’s replacement on 30 Rock for the role of Jenna Maroney by Jane Krakowski. Despite getting booted off the pilot, Dratch was perfectly suited for the random cameos on the show as Elizabeth Taylor or the Cat Wrangler.
Willow Rosenberg
Even though it’s hard to imagine Alyson Hannigan as anyone but How I Met Your Mother’s Lily Aldrin, it’s hard to imagine Buffy’s Willow as being played by anyone other than Alyson Hannigan! (In this instance, Riff Regan).
Inara Serra
Inara was originally played by Rebecca Gayheart, but the pilot was reshot with Morena Baccarin. While she certainly would've made an interesting match for Mal, Morena Baccarin owns both the role and the chemistry between Mal and Inara.
What do you think, TV Lovers? Any actors who should have been recast in your favorite shows?
(Via) http://www.uproxx.com/tv/2014/03/famous-tv-characters-recast-pilot/