More often than not, characters come and go from our favorite TV shows. This happens for so many reasons, whether an actor wants to work on better roles, the producers want to boost ratings, or the writers phase out a certain character.
While some characters are written out, others are replaced. This leaves us with the challenge of watching the same character with an entirely different presence and appearance. A good replacement can help a show out, but a bad one can ruin it. Here are 11 of the biggest character replacements in TV history, for better and for worse.
1. Darrin Stephens – Bewitched
Perhaps the biggest character replacement in TV history, Dick York (left) left the show in 1969 because he suffered from back problems and was unable to film full-time. When the show replaced York with Dick Sargent (right), the ratings took a dive and never recovered.
2. Becky Conner – Roseanne
This might be the most confusing character replacement of all time. When Lecy Goranson (left) decided to attend Vassar College, she was replaced by Sarah Chalke (right). In the eighth season, Goranson returned and alternated episodes with Chalke. But when Roseanne was picked up for a ninth season, Chalke resumed the role of Becky Conner full-time.
3. Chris Partridge – The Partridge Family
Brian Forster (right) replaced Jeremy Gelbwaks (left) after the first season when his family moved away from Los Angeles. But his departure was a welcome one, with David Cassidy saying Gelbwaks “had a personality conflict with every person in the cast and the producers.” That’s a lot of drama for such a small kid!
4. Alice Kramden – The Honeymooners
Pert Kelton (left) originally portrayed Alice Kramden in The Honeymooners skits. However, she was replaced by Audrey Meadows (right) after being blacklisted from Hollywood. When Jackie Gleason revived the characters in color in the late 1960s, Sheila MacRae stepped into the role.
5. Leonard Unger – The Odd Couple
Before they were teen heartthrobs, Willie Aames (left) and Leif Garrett (right) shared the role of Leonard Unger on The Odd Couple.
6. Miss Ellie Ewing – Dallas
Barbara Bel Geddes (left) originated the role of Miss Ellie Ewing in 1978 and played her until her departure in 1984. That’s when veteran actress Donna Reed (right) took over, but only for one year. When Bel Geddes returned, Reed sued for breach of contract and settled for seven figures.
7. Gladys Kravitz – Bewitched
The popular Alice Pearson (left) won an Emmy for her portrayal of Gladys Kravitz. Unfortunately, she died of ovarion cancer during the second season. Producers decided to replace her with Sandra Gould (right), who held her own for the rest of the series.
8. Marilyn Munster – The Munsters
The details are a little murky as to why the show replaced Beverly Owen (left) with Pat Priest (right) after 14 episodes. But if you never noticed the difference, you’re not alone. Both actresses looked so similar, many viewers didn’t notice the change.
9. Catwoman – Batman
Despite only lasting three seasons, Batman had two different (and distinct) cat-women. Julie Newmar (left) portrayed the villain for the first two seasons, but was replaced by Eartha Kitt (right) in season three when she was unavailable to film.
10. Lionel Jefferson – The Jeffersons
Just like Becky Conners on Roseanne, two actors took turns portraying this role. Mike Evans (left) originated the character of Lionel Jefferson, but was replaced by Damon Evans (right, no relation) during the second season. Damon stayed until the forth season, when Mike took over the recurring role.