The following shows replaced lead actors, mostly due to financial disputes or budget cuts:
THE DUKES OF HAZZARD THREE'S COMPANY CHARLIE'S ANGELS CHiPs 240-ROBERT BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (becoming GALACTICA 1980)
It seems like the new ensemble is never quite as good. Out of this partial list, I'd say THREE'S COMPANY and CHARLIE'S ANGELS came out of it the best, despite having to replace the hottest cast member.
NYPD BLUE survived and thrived after David Caruso left early on. Many people have now forgotten that Caruso was the original star of the series. Jimmy Smits took over as it's star and became the driving force in making that show the hit it was for years.
SANFORD AND SON - Whitman Mayo, the beloved character "Grady" the pal of Fred Sanford took over for Redd Foxx as the star of the show for about a half dozen episodes when Foxx was in a serious contract dispute with NBC. And Mayo was lauded for doing an outstanding job in that brief period carrying the show. One has to wonder if Foxx felt the pressure to resolve his dispute more quickly because of this.
If we flip this thread, what instances can you recall where an actor reprises a role, but in a completely non-sequitur production? For example, Vernon Wells played Wez in Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior and Lord General in Weird Science. The character name is not the same, and there are costume and makeup differences, but it is obvious that the latter film is spoofing the former. (When Lord General and his gang break into the party in Weird Science, note the draped bodies tied to the car in the background.)
Also, not quite totally replaced but Nigel Stock took over the role of No 6 in the Prisoner for the majority of the episode "Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling" because Patrick McGoohan was off making Ice Station Zebra.
While not the leads, the second season of Space:1999 dumped half of the supporting cast (and brought in a different composer) in favor of a couple of new characters. The show went downhill from there.
Also, not quite totally replaced but Nigel Stock took over the role of No 6 in the Prisoner for the majority of the episode "Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling" because Patrick McGoohan was off making Ice Station Zebra.
While not the leads, the second season of Space:1999 dumped half of the supporting cast (and brought in a different composer) in favor of a couple of new characters. The show went downhill from there.
As a youngster when Season 2 aired I was confused and frustrated by the changes and that they didn't explain where certain characters like Victor Bergman had gone.
That said, I can forgive Gerry Anderson for all of the above because season 2 also starred Catherine Schell who was simply stunning back then.
Mike_J wrote: That said, I can forgive Gerry Anderson for all of the above because season 2 also starred Catherine Schell who was simply stunning back then.
Hmmm, not quite enough to forgive all of season 2, and she was in season 1 ("Guardian of Piri").
Starz TV series: SPARTACUS: BLOOD AND SAND. Main lead actor Andy Whitfield (Spartacus) was replaced in the series after diagnosed with cancer. Sadly he passed away in 2011. His role was reprised by Liam McIntyre.
also STAR TREK VOYAGER's main lead Genevieve Bujold left the series during the production of the Pilot episode on day 2. She was replaced by Kate Mulgrew,.
