Earlier this week we saw just how Netflix’s House of Cards is dealing with the departure of Kevin Spacey whilst millions of fans around the world await the debut of Olivia Colman in The Crown season three.
Evidence, if needed, that TV series can easily replace their lead actors and actresses (for whatever murky reasons) and move on to greater and better things.
Below you’ll find nine examples of when shows found themselves with a new lead and became more successful.
1. Doctor Who
Over the years, the long-running BBC sci-fi kids’ show has had varying degrees of success when replacing its lead.
But there’s no denying that since the original, William Hartnell (who was pretty damn fantastic), Doctor Who has gone from strength to strength. Apart from the late ’80s, of course.
Next up is Jodie Whittaker, who makes her debut next month. Will she best Capaldi in a Who-off? We’ll pop in our TARDIS and find out.
2. Men Behaving Badly
Incredible to think that the BBC lads’ sitcom starring Martin Clunes and Neil Morrissey as beer-loving flatmates Gary and Tony actually started on ITV.
And with one of them missing!
Men Behaving Badly began life on ITV in 1992 and was fronted by Clunes, but his co-lead was comedian Harry Enfield. The latter played played Gary’s flatmate Dermot but was replaced later the same year in the second series by Neil Morrissey.
Even though Enfield is a comedy legend, it’s fair to say that the sitcom did better with its new look, running for a further six years with Morrissey and Clunes at the helm.
3. Silent Witness
Running for over two decades, the BBC One hit saw its prestigious lead actress Amanda Burton, who played Professor Sam Ryan, leave the show at the beginning of the eighth series.
Impressively, not only was Emilia Fox able to replace her as Dr Nikki Alexander (not the team leader, but one of an ensemble of three, two of which were already on board) but she has outlived her predecessor by some time and is now definitely the lead. Silent Witness will air its 22nd series in 2019 with Fox in charge.
4. Death In Paradise
Ben Miller starred as the eccentric British inspector Richard Poole in the Caribbean crime series for two series when he was killed off in the opening ep of the third outing.
Filling his sandals was DI Humphrey Goodman, played by Kris Marshall. The former My Family star took Death In Paradise to new heights, adding millions of new viewers.
But even Marshall tired of the sun and sand and returned to London. His replacement, Father Ted’s Ardal O’Hanlon, took the show to even higher viewing figures, regularly busting 9 million.
5. Spin City
Slightly contentious this entry.
Michael J Fox absolutely ruled the roost as Mike Flaherty on the US sitcom, which ran for six seasons. Due to Parkinson’s disease, Fox left after four and Charlie Sheen was brought in as a replacement.
Whilst the viewing figures went down, leading to its cancellation in 2002, Sheen did win a Golden Globe for his performance as Charlie Crawford. Not a bad achievement.
6. Charmed
Shannen Doherty played Prue, one of the witchy Halliwell sisters in the first three seasons of The WB fantasy series.
Due to behind-the-scenes “drama” (heavily rumoured disputes with co-star Alyssa Milano) her character was killed off.
Come season four, and Prue’s long-lost younger half-sister Paige Matthews took her place. Played by Rose McGowan, Doherty’s replacement stayed with the show for five seasons until its demise in 2006.
7. Cheers
By the time Shelley Long left the Boston bar-based sitcom in 1987, the actress certainly was someone who everyone knew by name.
Playing the uptight Diane Chambers opposite Ted Danson’s Sam Malone, Long stole the show on many occasions. Her popularity was such that she believed a Hollywood career was waiting and quit Cheers in its fifth season.
Stardom didn’t quite come for Long but it did for her replacement, Kirstie Alley. Rebecca Howe, a new foil for Sam, stuck with show until its end, clocking up six seasons.
Also worth a mention is the fact that Woody Harrelson also did an admirable job in stepping in for Coach after the actor playing him (Nicolas Colasanto) died.
8. Beverly Hills, 90210
Shannen Doherty again.
The actress’ ‘bad girl’ reputation started here with much-publicised poor behaviour on 90210 including persistent lateness and even physical spats with co-star Jennie Garth (who played Kelly Taylor).
Four seasons were enough, and the producers wrote Brenda Walsh out and she was never seen again.
Taking her place was the slightly-troubled friend of the family Valerie Malone, played by Tiffani Amber Thiessen. She managed five full seasons with a guest role in the final as the show continued successfully without Doherty.
9. NYPD Blue
Just a few eps into the crime drama’s second season, lead David Caruso quit as detective John Kelly due to financial negotiations not going his way.
Ably stepping in was LA Law alumnus Jimmy Smits.
The actor managed four seasons as Bobby Simone before being killed off in the sixth season. Like Caruso, Smits bagged a Golden Globe award for performance.
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