Have you ever watched a TV show and realised a character looks a bit different to how they used to look? TV shows quite often replace actors and hope that we don’t notice, but many keen-eyed viewers are quick to notice when replacements make their debut. Here are 7 TV characters who were replaced by other actors – how many of them did you realise had been replaced?
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Game of Thrones’Â Daario Naharis
Daario was originally played by Ed Skrein during the 2013 episodes and was replaced by Michiel Huisman. Skrein left the show due to ‘politics’, though reports initially said he left because of scheduling conflicts with The Transporter Refueled.
2. Pretty Little Liars’ Jason
Parker Bagley played Jason DiLaurentis during season 1 of the show and from season 2 onwards, the character was played by Drew Van Acker. Bagley was replaced because the producers wanted an actor who looked more like how the character was described in the books.
3. Friends’ Carol
Carol was Ross’ first ex-wife, who left him before the first episode after realising she was a lesbian. In her first appearance, she was played by Anita Barone, though Jane Sibbett took over the role for regular appearances during seasons 2-7.
4. Modern Family’s Lily
Baby Lily was originally played by twins Jaden and Ella Hiller, though they were recast since they didn’t enjoy the role that much. They were replaced by Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, who’s been playing Lily ever since.
5. Roseanne‘s Becky
Becky was originally played by Alicia ‘Lecy’ Goranson from 1988 to 1996, but when she went to university and had less time on her hands, she was replaced by Sarah Chalke. When Goranson had more free time, she came back and filmed more episodes, then when she was busy again, Chalke took over.
6. Family Guy’s Meg
Meg was originally voiced in season one by Lacey Chabert, best known for her role as Gretchen Weiners in Mean Girls. Due to scheduling conflicts, she left after the first season and was replaced by Mila Kunis, who’s been voicing the misunderstood teen ever since.
7. Fresh Prince Of Bel Air’s Vivian Banks
The show’s matriarch was played by Janet Hubert from 1990 to 1993 and Daphne Maxwell Reid from 1993 to the show’s end in 1996. The reason Hubert left the show was supposedly because she had issues with the show’s star Will Smith. A couple of times the show made references to the fact that a new actress was playing Vivian Banks.
