Top 20 TV Castings That Almost Happened

#20: Ashley Tisdale as Elena Gilbert

“The Vampire Diaries” (2009-17)

Nina Dobrev takes immense pride in her defining role as the main protagonist of “TVD”. In an interview with E! News, she revealed that several actors had tried to land roles in the show – “half of Hollywood”, in her own words. However, she was confident that she, quote, ‘did something right’, even though her initial audition didn’t leave much of an impression. It was after she sent in a self-tape that Dobrev got the part. Now, word on the Tinseltown street is that the role was offered to Ashley Tisdale of “High School Musical” fame. However, she allegedly turned it down and chose to join the cast of another CW project, “Hellcats”. The cheerleading drama only had one season, whereas “TVD” went on for eight.

#19: Macaulay Culkin as Leonard Hofstadter

“The Big Bang Theory” (2007-19)

It is hard to imagine anyone other than the talented Johnny Galecki playing Sheldon Cooper’s resident BFF. However, the role almost went to “Home Alone” icon Macaulay Culkin, who was approached thrice about it. Chuck Lorre, who co-created the series, was particularly taken by what he called the actor’s ‘ethereal quality’. However, Culkin rejected the offer each time. During an appearance on the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, the former child star shared that he wasn’t impressed with the pitch. Although he admitted that he could have been rolling in dough if he had taken the offer, he doesn’t regret letting it go.

#18: Lisa Edelstein as Carrie Bradshaw

“Sex and the City” (1998-2004)

No one could have brought the New York Star columnist to life with more verve than Sarah Jessica Parker. However, we do see the vision of Lisa Edelstein playing her in an alternate universe. The “House” star was all set to portray Carrie in “Sex and the City” - though she wouldn’t be the only actress reportedly thisclose to the iconic part, as we’ll see later on. She had supposedly signed a contract and was almost booked. However, SJP was also in the running for the role, and after she said yes, Lisa was unfortunately dropped. The experience was difficult for Edelstein, who avoided watching the series because it was, quote, ‘too painful’.

#17: Jensen Ackles as Clark Kent

“Smallville” (2001-11)

If the actor who played the unforgettable Dean Winchester also brought the Man of Steel’s origin story to TV, he’d simply be too overpowered. Jensen Ackles is not only an excellent actor, but is also known for his otherworldly good looks. So, when the showrunners of “Smallville” were looking to cast Clark Kent, Ackles was one of their top two choices. Tom Welling, who eventually got the role and nailed it, was even intimidated by Jensen during the testing stage. However, the “Supernatural” star was not disappointed about not getting the part. In fact, he even commended the production team for making the ‘right choice’. Ackles later played Jason Teague in the fourth season of the show.

#16: Matthew McConaughey as Joel Miller

“The Last of Us” (2023-)

The internet’s daddy, Pedro Pascal, played one of the most heartwarming roles in modern television as Ellie’s father figure in “TLOU”. However, two other exceptional actors were also up for the part of Joel Miller. First, it went to Matthew McConaughey. The show’s co-creator, Craig Mazin, was in talks with the actor. However, the conversation didn’t go far before the “Interstellar” star turned it down. According to reports, Mahershala Ali was also considered. However, the stars aligned when Pedro became available to take on the role of Joel, and the rest, as they say, is TV history.

#15: Rumer Willis as Serena van der Woodsen

“Gossip Girl” (2007-12)

It was the battle of the nepo babies for this role. Actor Ernie Lively and talent agent Elaine Lively’s daughter, Blake Lively, ultimately played the ‘it girl’ of Manhattan. However, The CW reportedly had Bruce Willis and Demi Moore’s daughter, Rumer Willis, in mind for the part. David Rapaport, who was the casting director for “Gossip Girl”, remarked that the suggestion of Rumer as Serena was, quote, “based on protecting the investment of a television show”. Rumer also admitted that her audition was, quote, ‘awful’. However, Rapaport always saw Blake as the blonde socialite, even though Katie Cassidy also tested for the role.

#14: Craig T. Nelson as Jay Pritchett

“Modern Family” (2009-20)

Actor Ed O'Neill’s turn as the patriarch of the Pritchett family in the ABC sitcom is legendary, to say the least. However, he had some competition at the casting stage. Ed was reportedly neck and neck with Emmy-winning “Coach” star Craig T. Nelson. At one point, a studio executive is said to have tossed a coin to make the final choice, and luck favored Nelson. However, he apparently lost the role because of his reputation as a so-called ‘difficult’ actor and his unrealistic salary demands. Meanwhile, O'Neill was known for his pleasant personality. So, showrunners Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan brought him on board as Jay, giving us one of the most memorable TV characters ever.

#13: Lisa Kudrow as Roz Doyle

“Frasier” (1993-2004)

She won hearts all over the world as Phoebe Buffay in “Friends”. However, before that, Lisa Kudrow faced a career setback she described as ‘devastating’. She had booked the part of Roz Doyle in “Frasier”, but before she could step into the role, she was removed from the show. The director of the pilot episode, James Burrows, simply told her, “This isn’t working.” What’s even more heartbreaking is that Kudrow kept trying to figure out how she could get it right. After being dropped, she simply accepted that the job was always meant to go to Peri Gilpin, as she revealed on the “SmartLess” podcast. This rejection was the reason Lisa had to audition for “Friends”, and the show ultimately won her an Emmy.

#12: Bob Odenkirk as Michael Scott

“The Office” (2005-13)

The “Better Call Saul” actor has reportedly crossed professional paths with Steve Carell numerous times in his career. According to Odenkirk, they’ve been up for the same roles several times, and he lost many of them to the “Beautiful Boy” star. Speaking on the “Office Ladies” podcast, Bob shared that he believes he’s ‘oddly earnest’, which makes him better at dramatic roles than comedic ones. So, although he ‘really wanted the part’, according to media exec Kevin Reilly, his version of Michael Scott was ‘darker’. Nevertheless, “The Office” fans were treated to an Odenkirk cameo in the ninth season, where he plays the guitar, like he did during his audition with Jenna Fischer.

#11: Michael Keaton as Jack Shephard

“Lost” (2004-10)

ABC’s award-winning sci-fi thriller is one of the greatest of all time. Matthew Fox delivers an inimitable performance as the show’s protagonist, Dr. Jack Shephard. Originally, though, he read for the role of James Ford a.k.a Sawyer. Meanwhile, “Lost” co-creator J. J. Abrams was trying to get Michael Keaton to play Jack, but only for the pilot. The “Batman” star liked the idea of participating as he just had to film one episode. However, the initial plan of killing Jack in that episode was changed, and he was turned into a more prominent character. Unfortunately, this did not suit Keaton, who reportedly wanted to spend more time with his family. So, the role landed in Fox’s hands.

#10: Hank Azaria as Joey Tribbiani

“Friends” (1994-2004)

It’s a little hard to imagine anyone other than Matt LeBlanc playing Joey, the show’s lovable goofball with a penchant for women and sandwiches. However, future “Friends” alumni Hank Azaria tried desperately to land the part. The longtime “Simpsons” voice actor once admitted that the role of Joey Tribbiani was “the only job I ever auditioned for twice.” In regard to LeBlanc’s Season One performance, Azaria went so far as to say, “I could’ve been funnier than him!” Azaria eventually changed his opinion (thank god!) and went on to appear in five episodes of the iconic sitcom as David, a physicist that Phoebe falls for.

#9: Katherine Heigl as Jen Lindley

“Dawson’s Creek” (1998-2003)

Katherine Heigl, known for her work in the stoner comedy “Knocked Up,” as well as for her time on “Grey’s Anatomy,” nearly landed a role on another super successful TV show years earlier. The role in question was that of Jen Lindley on “Dawson’s Creek,” one that ultimately went to future Academy Award nominee Michelle Williams. According to the show’s creator, Kevin Williamson, he was very impressed with Heigl, saying “She gave a great audition, I remember we were all sort of like, 'Wow, she's good.'" Despite this glowing review, he decided to go with Williams and the rest is history.

#8: Thomas Jane as Don Draper

“Mad Men” (2007-15)

“Mad Men” would not be “Mad Men” without Jon Hamm, plain and simple. His nuanced performance as 60s ad exec Don Draper won him two Golden Globes and cemented his legacy as one of the small screen’s all-time greats. And yet, the role was almost played by Thomas Jane. “The Punisher” star actually turned down the role, which begs the question: what was he thinking? This was not the only time Jane brushed shoulders with an iconic role only to keep on walking, as he was Frank Darabont’s first choice to play Rick Grimes on “The Walking Dead.” But when HBO passed on the show, Jane went elsewhere.

#7: Connie Britton as Olivia Pope

“Scandal” (2012-18)

Connie Britton, best known for playing Tami Taylor on “Friday Night Lights” has appeared in dozens of films and TV shows over the years; and she came pretty close to adding “Scandal” to that list back in 2012. She was one of ABC’s first choices for the role of Olivia Pope, which was an issue for creator Shonda Rhimes, who’d written the part with aBlack woman in mind. The network ultimately relented and Kerry Washington was cast as Pope, making her the first Black woman to land a leading role in a television drama in over 30 years!

#6: Katie Holmes as Buffy Summers

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” could have looked a whole lot different had a couple of well-known actors said yes instead of no. Katie Holmes was offered the role of Buffy Summers and Ryan Reynolds was approached to play her friend Xander. Both actors wound up passing, opening the door for Sarah Michelle Gellar and Nicholas Brendon, respectively. Seeing as how Holmes and Reynolds both went on to have successful careers in the entertainment industry, we doubt they regret their decision. As for Gellar and Brendon, well, one could argue that Buffy and Xander remain their best-known roles.

#5: Dana Delany as Carrie Bradshaw

“Sex and the City” (1998-2004)

“Sex and the City” made waves for its groundbreaking subject matter and plethora of unique characters. At the forefront was protagonist Carrie Bradshaw, who was played to perfection by Sarah Jessica Parker. However, Dana Delany was another one of the initial actresses to be reportedly offered first crack at the role. So why did Delany pass on the show that would later become a cultural phenomenon? Sex. It was because of the sex. In an interview with the Daily Mail, she said, “I didn’t want to be in a show about sex. The part went to Sarah Jessica Parker and it made her into a worldwide star, but I’ve got no regrets.” Fair enough!

#4: Matthew Broderick as Walter White

“Breaking Bad” (2008-13)

Now this one is surprising, to say the least. We have a hard time picturing Matthew Broderick as Walter White telling his wife, “I am the one who knocks,” with any sort of believability. And yet, it almost came to fruition. Broderick and John Cusack were AMC’s first choices for the role of the cancer-suffering chemistry teacher who turns to a life of crime in order to support his family. They were hesitant to go with Bryan Cranston - showrunner Vince Gilligan’s initial choice – but after Gillian showed them an episode of “The X-Files” in which Cranston played a terminally ill anti-Semite, they gave in. It’s truly scary to think what might have been…

#3: Rob Lowe as Derek Shepherd

“Grey’s Anatomy” (2005-)

Unlike our previous entry, this one is considerably less far-fetched. Rob Lowe was the first actor up for the part of Derek Shepherd, aka McDreamy, one that ultimately went to Patrick Dempsey. According to Lowe, he “agreed to meet with the people making Grey’s Anatomy” and that he read the script, feeling that the writing was “crisp, real and very entertaining.” In the end, Lowe passed in order to play, get this, another doctor! That’s right, folks. Lowe accepted the role of Dr. Billy Grant on the short-lived CBS series, “Dr. Vegas.” By contrast, “Grey’s Anatomy” is still going strong more than 2 decades later.

#2: Matt LeBlanc as Phil Dunphy

“Modern Family” (2009-20)

Could you honestly picture anyone other than Ty Burrell playing Phil Dunphy? The role has earned him two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and we feel confident in saying that “Modern Family” would not be the same without him. Of course, we wouldn’t be discussing Burrell or his most iconic character if another well-known actor hadn’t almost landed the part before him. Matt LeBlanc was offered the part of Dunphy, but turned it down. He said he felt the script was great, but that he’d “be doing the project an injustice” if he accepted the role. Now that’s the kind of maturity that only comes from a seasoned vet!

#1: Chris Rock as George Costanza

“Seinfeld” (1989-98)

Yes, you heard that correctly. Actor and comedian Chris Rock was offered the role of George Costanza, Jerry’s neurotic, socially awkward best friend, but ultimately turned it down. According to casting director Marc Herschfield, “we saw every actor we could possibly see in Los Angeles" in the hunt to find the perfect George. Danny DeVito and Nathan Lane were also considered before Seinfeld and Larry David settled on Jason Alexander. This was not the only character to have almost been played by someone else, as Elaine was almost played by none other than Rosie O’Donnell… not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Do you think any of these alternate casting choices would have been better than the original? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!