TV and movies can be a bit weird especially when they are
serialized. One thing that is definitely a head-turner is when an actor
replaces another actor in the same role. The thing that got me on this path was
thinking about Harriett Winslow from Family Matters. I vividly remember Judyann
Elder replacing the role that Jo Marie Payton had played for almost a decade.
That’s just one I've noticed and I thought it was weird. I also saw it a lot on other shows too. Movies even go through this.
The reasons for actors replacing other actors can vary. Some die during the role. Others get fired or
just decide to quit. It can happen at the beginning, during production, or well
on into the lifespan of the series. So, here are 16 characters who were recast
for a show or movie series. I’ll even throw a game in this too. Hopefully, I
can fit all that into a nice title for this post. I’ll only be doing shows and
movies I’ve seen, so I’m sorry if I’m leaving your favorite one out. It’s also
not in any order as well.
1. Vivian Banks (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air)
This is probably
one of the most known recasts. Janet Hubert played Vivian on Fresh Prince of
Bel-Air for three years. From what I heard and read, she and Will Smith didn’t
get along. She supposedly violated her contract (she was pregnant at the time)
and got ousted. After that, Daphne Reid was brought in to play Vivian for the
rest of the show’s run. She was actually the first Vivian I remember seeing
since I didn’t watch the show until the fourth season. She even got to play the
part for three years, so it sounds a little equal, you think?
As for which version I liked better, I have to go with
Hubert on this one. She seemed to have more of a bite to her. She also kind of got more
to do than Reid did. The episode where she decides to go back into dancing is
one of her coolest moments. Reid’s Vivian seemed to be more in the background
at times. Even though she didn’t much to do, I did like her and she had some good
moments. Still, the first Vivian did it for me.
