2 minutes ago, 1974mdp said:

Wow....that is super bad.

To this day I still believe she was a placeholder to make things smoother for Martha Madison. There is no way even Days was serious about Charity Rahmer. I still laugh remembering Rahmer practically flirting with John, her father.

13 hours ago, Franko said:

The patron saint of bad recasts.

0:56 to 1:02 sends a chill up my spine

Sherry Shuttak had a brief turn, but for viewers, Ashley Abbott is defined by Eileen Davidson - and sometimes Brenda Epperson.

Heather Tom is the only Victoria in my book.

Steve Wilder tried - but for most of us, Jack Deveraux will always be Matthew Ashford.

AW: Susan Harney, Wesley Ann Pfenning, Vana Tribbey and Linda Borgeson as Alice Frame.

As the World Turns

• Heather Rattray and Noelle Beck as Lily Walsh Snyder: In 1989, successful recast Martha Byrne chose to leave the role of Lily and was recast with Rattray, who was deemed 'cold' in the role. In 1993, prior to his passing, Douglas Marland was successful in returning Byrne to the role, which co-star Jon Hensley welcomed following what he described as a 'difficult' recast with Rattray. Byrne's second exit in 2008, due to a contract dispute, brought Beck into the role; however, reception was chilly. While she may have won over some of the audience by the conclusion of the soap in 2010, fans still desired for Byrne to return one final time. Beck even opted to drop to recurring status and offered to step out of the role to allow for Byrne to return prior to the finale, but this was nixed by executive producer Chris Goutman, who stated there were no plans for Byrne to return to the role.

The Bold and the Beautiful

• Marla Adams and Robin Riker as Beth Logan: Following the successful recast of Nancy Burnett in the role of Beth Logan, the role was recast in 1990 with Adams; despite her considerable talent, Adams' Beth is not who the fans wanted to see. Burnett would reprise the role for several guest appearances from 1994 to 2001. In 2008, the character was reintroduced, this time with Riker, who, much like Adams, was not warmly welcomed in the role. Riker exited the role in 2010, when Beth was killed off.

• Emily Harrison as Bridget Forrester: Much like another recast below, Harrison was brought in to replace exiting fan favourite Jennifer Finnigan. However, she was not the right fit, and was quickly replaced with another fan favourite Ashley Jones, who still appears in the role 21 years later.

Days of Our Lives

• Robin Strasser and Linda Dano as Vivian Alamain: Despite being fan favourites on other soaps, both Strasser and Dano were never accepted as replacements for Louise Sorel in the role of Vivian; following both recasts, Sorel did reprise the role with a positive response from audiences.

EastEnders

• Jenna Russell as Michelle Fowler: The character of Michelle was one fans of this soap wanted to return for nearly two decades; much to the pleasure of fans, the soap announced the character's return in 2016, but this turned to displeasure when it was revealed fan favourite Susan Tully was not returning, and Russell was cast. Less than two years later, Russell departed the role.

Emmerdale

• Samantha Power as Tina Dingle: If there is one thing English soap viewers do better than American, it is pan a recast of a popular soap character. Such is the case of Power's casting as the ever-popular Tina Dingle, who returned to the canvas in 2024 after Jacqueline Pirie's 1996 exit from the role, who did wish Power well in the role. Needless to say, those sentiments did not extend from the audience or the critics, wh felt Power's take on the role was too removed from Pirie's take.

General Hospital

• Jennifer Bransford as Carly Corinthos: Bransford was brought in to replace fan favourite Tamara Braun and was panned from the moment she debuted. To this day, she is often ignored and was also not included in the infamous 2014 "Carlypalooza" episode. Bransford only lasted seven months in the role before Laura Wright was cast.

• Lesli Kay as Lois Cerullo: Fans wanted Rena Sofer to reprise her iconic role so it was a surprise when in 2004 it was announced As the World Turns actor Kay was cast in the role. At the time, Sofer revealed she had not been asked to reprise the role and felt hurt by this. Needless to say, Kay was unsuccessful in the role, as by the following year, she was dropped to recurring status (never to appear again) and found success in another recast⏤Felicia Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful. Sofer did return to the role, to much fanfare, in 2023.

• Brooke Anne Smith as Molly Lansing-Davis: I mean, does this need to be explained? Minivan-mom Molly was not right for the role at all, despite her brother going off on social media that she was there to stay.

Ryan's Hope

• Robin Mattson as Delia Ryan: When Ilene Kristen left the role in 1979, the soap successfully replaced her with Randall Edwards (and interim pinch-hitter Robyn Millan). When Kristen left the role for a second time, it proved difficult when producers sought to replicate the success of General Hospital by bringing in Mattson in the role of Delia. After only her initial six-month contract, Mattson left the role and Kristen returned.

Santa Barbara

• Kimberly McArthur and Eileen Davidson as Kelly Capwell Conrad: McArthur's choice of casting is often seen due to her resemblance to exiting actress Robin Wright. However, she lasted less than a year in the role and was replaced by Carrington Garland. Garland's recasting was a success with fans; however, in 1991, the Dobsons returned and opted to present an 'older' Kelly and cast Davidson in the role. Despite her talent, reception for Davidson was not as accepting as that of Wright or Garland.

The Young and the Restless

• Luke Kleintank as Noah Newman: Kleintank was cast as Noah in 2010 as an 'older' take on the role, replacing Kevin Schmidt. He only lasted seven episodes, exiting in 2011, with Schmidt returning.

• Eden Riegel and Jennifer Landon as Heather Stevens: In 2010, All My Children fan favourite Riegel announced she opted to accept the role of Heather over Bianca, leading to the successful recast of Christina Bennett Lind in her latter role. Riegel would not receive the same acceptance, with many feeling she was miscast in the role. Landon's casting, while a bit warmer than Riegel's, met the same kind of response. Original actress Vail Bloom returned to the role in 2023 to a positive response but exited the role in the following year to a lukewarm response.

• Maura West as Diane Jenkins: West's casting as Diane is often seen as one of confusion, with fans feeling she was 'too young' to play the role (especially following the successful recast of Susan Walters from Alex Donnelley in 2001) and would have better suited a character like Grace Turner. At the time of her exit, West revealed TPTB were already planning to recast the role when CBS offered the part to her, felt that by week two there was zero interest in the character from anyone, foresaw her exit long before it happened, and felt that she should not have taken the role. The character was killed off in 2011, and was later revived in 2022, with Walters reassuming the role to positive reception.

30 minutes ago, Liberty City said:

Emmerdale

• Samantha Power as Tina Dingle: If there is one thing English soap viewers do better than American, it is pan a recast of a popular soap character. Such is the case of Power's casting as the ever-popular Tina Dingle, who returned to the canvas in 2024 after Jacqueline Pirie's 1996 exit from the role, who did wish Power well in the role. Needless to say, those sentiments did not extend from the audience or the critics, wh felt Power's take on the role was too removed from Pirie's take.

This was also a completely unnecessary recast. Tina had been gone so long that any relevance she had to the canvas was gone, and she was only on for a few episodes anyway. The only way this would have been worthwhile at all was if Jacqueline Pirie had reprised her role, but it appears she wasn't even approached. Everything about this was just a complete mess.

40 minutes ago, I Am A Swede said:

This was also a completely unnecessary recast. Tina had been gone so long that any relevance she had to the canvas was gone, and she was only on for a few episodes anyway. The only way this would have been worthwhile at all was if Jacqueline Pirie had reprised her role, but it appears she wasn't even approached. Everything about this was just a complete mess.

I agree; I do wish they had reached out to Pirie to say, "Hey, we want to bring Tina on for a few episodes, would you be open and available?"

Kassie De Paiva as Eve Donovan on Days. This recasting did not work at all.

Charlotte Ross owned the role July 16, 1987-July 12, 1991. Kassie DePaiva brought back the character 23 years later in 2024. I guess Ron Carlivati thought the 23-year gap wouldn't matter? Kassie's portrayal was like a completely different character -- She wasn't Eve.

I think those who liked Kassie in role were already Kassie fans. But otherwise, I didn't see much approval of the recasting.

Edited November 30, 2025Nov 30 by janea4old

8 hours ago, Liberty City said:

As the World Turns

The Bold and the Beautiful

• Marla Adams and Robin Riker as Beth Logan: Following the successful recast of Nancy Burnett in the role of Beth Logan, the role was recast in 1990 with Adams; despite her considerable talent, Adams' Beth is not who the fans wanted to see. Burnett would reprise the role for several guest appearances from 1994 to 2001. In 2008, the character was reintroduced, this time with Riker, who, much like Adams, was not warmly welcomed in the role. Riker exited the role in 2010, when Beth was killed off.

I've been watching the reruns on YouTube and I managed to get through Marla Adams stint as Beth. It was very odd and brief. It felt more like a temp recast than anything. With that said, she was miscast. I don't think they ever got the casting right for this role, especially the long awaited return with that dud Robin Riker.

Considering Susan Seaforth Hayes and Jane Elliot (who was actually cast) were in the mix for Stephanie, I don't understand why they didn't just make one of them Beth. Especially Elliot who was under contract and thought she had a job. That character was always doomed.

8 hours ago, Liberty City said:

• Lesli Kay as Lois Cerullo: Fans wanted Rena Sofer to reprise her iconic role so it was a surprise when in 2004 it was announced As the World Turns actor Kay was cast in the role. At the time, Sofer revealed she had not been asked to reprise the role and felt hurt by this. Needless to say, Kay was unsuccessful in the role, as by the following year, she was dropped to recurring status (never to appear again) and found success in another recast⏤Felicia Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful. Sofer did return to the role, to much fanfare, in 2023.

I thought Lesli Kay was as perfect a recast as you could expect but it was clear the writers weren't invested in the character. I don't think there is any way she could've broken through, regardless of if it was a recast or Sofer returning at that time. The storytelling during that era was far too limited and didn't have room for another woman of that age.

8 hours ago, Liberty City said:

Ryan's Hope

• Robin Mattson as Delia Ryan: When Ilene Kristen left the role in 1979, the soap successfully replaced her with Randall Edwards (and interim pinch-hitter Robyn Millan). When Kristen left the role for a second time, it proved difficult when producers sought to replicate the success of General Hospital by bringing in Mattson in the role of Delia. After only her initial six-month contract, Mattson left the role and Kristen returned.

I can't recall if this was the time they fired Ilene Kristen for gaining weight but whatever the reason, Mattson was a total disaster in the role. I always assumed she would've been decent just based on her soap pedigree and was shocked when I saw episodes with her. You'd never believe she had a succesful role on a soap. She completely didn't understand the character and couldn't give her any warmth. They had endless recasts on Ryan's Hope and I'd argue this might be the absolute worst.

8 hours ago, Liberty City said:

• Eden Riegel and Jennifer Landon as Heather Stevens: In 2010, All My Children fan favourite Riegel announced she opted to accept the role of Heather over Bianca, leading to the successful recast of Christina Bennett Lind in her latter role. Riegel would not receive the same acceptance, with many feeling she was miscast in the role. Landon's casting, while a bit warmer than Riegel's, met the same kind of response. Original actress Vail Bloom returned to the role in 2023 to a positive response but exited the role in the following year to a lukewarm response.

Jennifer Landon was good as Heather and had chemistry with everyone. She was more the victim of a regime change since she was the last hired by the outgoing team. Eden Riegel was one of the all-time worst recasts in Y&R history. The character of Mac was right there so I couldn't understand the thought process behind bringing her back.

Vail's return I thought was fantastic until JG ruined it. She had good chemistry with Michael Grazeidei and I kept expecting them to revisit Heather/Adam since he wasn't doing anything at the time. Instead they killed her off in a throwaway story that made no sense. It was such a waste of a good actress and a legacy character who still had life in her.

8 hours ago, Liberty City said:

• Maura West as Diane Jenkins: West's casting as Diane is often seen as one of confusion, with fans feeling she was 'too young' to play the role (especially following the successful recast of Susan Walters from Alex Donnelley in 2001) and would have better suited a character like Grace Turner. At the time of her exit, West revealed TPTB were already planning to recast the role when CBS offered the part to her, felt that by week two there was zero interest in the character from anyone, foresaw her exit long before it happened, and felt that she should not have taken the role. The character was killed off in 2011, and was later revived in 2022, with Walters reassuming the role to positive reception.

This was an insane casting choice. Like you said, she should've been Grace Turner and her best chemistry was with Joshua Morrow. Even had they gotten the casting right, bringing back Diane the way she was written didn't make any sense. Maura West can do almost anything but even she couldn't make that work.

Days:

Josh Taylor as Roman Brady. Enough said

Julie Pinson as Billie - She may have looked like Lisa Rinna, but she didn't have Rinna's fire and intensity.

Stephanie Cameron as Jennifer - She may have resembled Missy Reeves, but she didn't have the charisma of 90s Missy Reeves (believe it or not, she was beloved and quite talented).

ATWT:

Vicky Dawson as Dee Stewart - After the impact of the previous Dee, anyone that took over the role would have an uphill battle.. and I don't even think she lasted a full year as Dee before she was written off.

Sheri Alexander as Sam - The original Sam had a very laid back and dry sense of humor that contrasted nicely with the over the top historics of both Lucinda and Lily.... this Sam lacked any sort of personality and she was written off within a year just as her character was getting a story.

11 minutes ago, Chris B said:

I've been watching the reruns on YouTube and I managed to get through Marla Adams stint as Beth. It was very odd and brief. It felt more like a temp recast than anything. With that said, she was miscast. I don't think they ever got the casting right for this role, especially the long awaited return with that dud Robin Riker.

Considering Susan Seaforth Hayes and Jane Elliot (who was actually cast) were in the mix for Stephanie, I don't understand why they didn't just make one of them Beth. Especially Elliot who was under contract and thought she had a job. That character was always doomed.

Honestly, I would have loved to have seen Judith Baldwin return to the role. I actually preferred her over Burnett. But yes, the character of Beth was always doomed, and I do feel killing her off was a wrong choice.

14 minutes ago, Chris B said:

I thought Lesli Kay was as perfect a recast as you could expect but it was clear the writers weren't invested in the character. I don't think there is any way she could've broken through, regardless of if it was a recast or Sofer returning at that time. The storytelling during that era was far too limited and didn't have room for another woman of that age.

She definitely was cast right into the role but I fully understand why she was not well received. I also don't think it was the right time for Lois to return, either.

15 minutes ago, Chris B said:

I can't recall if this was the time they fired Ilene Kristen for gaining weight but whatever the reason, Mattson was a total disaster in the role. I always assumed she would've been decent just based on her soap pedigree and was shocked when I saw episodes with her. You'd never believe she had a succesful role on a soap. She completely didn't understand the character and couldn't give her any warmth. They had endless recasts on Ryan's Hope and I'd argue this might be the absolute worst.

Yes, Kristen was fired when she was suffering from complications of thyroid issues. Makes me wonder why Edwards either didn't just stay in the role or ask to return. It was a choice decision, especially when Kristen ended up returning two years later.

18 minutes ago, Chris B said:

Jennifer Landon was good as Heather and had chemistry with everyone. She was more the victim of a regime change since she was the last hired by the outgoing team. Eden Riegel was one of the all-time worst recasts in Y&R history. The character of Mac was right there so I couldn't understand the thought process behind bringing her back.

Vail's return I thought was fantastic until JG ruined it. She had good chemistry with Michael Grazeidei and I kept expecting them to revisit Heather/Adam since he wasn't doing anything at the time. Instead they killed her off in a throwaway story that made no sense. It was such a waste of a good actress and a legacy character who still had life in her.

I loved Landon as Heather; honestly, it might have been the only time I liked the role. She fit right in, came in as a reinvigorated version of the role, and she had amazing chemistry with Michael Graziadei's Daniel. Yes, the regime change did not help her situation, but I do remember a lot claiming they still wanted Bloom back in the role.

20 minutes ago, Chris B said:

This was an insane casting choice. Like you said, she should've been Grace Turner and her best chemistry was with Joshua Morrow. Even had they gotten the casting right, bringing back Diane the way she was written didn't make any sense. Maura West can do almost anything but even she couldn't make that work.

It was a CBS choice, as CBS wanted to keep West there and she took it, but it was painfully obvious, despite TPTB's decision to recast the role (per West's own admission), that there was no intent on doing anything with the character. But I love and adore West, and she turned shït into gold as best she could. And she did have some strong opinions about the set/cast, etc., but I also think it was a learning experience nonetheless, and she was offered a role and took it out of fear of not getting anything else after 15 years in one role on a now-defunct soap. And I agree: she had insane chemistry with Joshua Morrow's Nick (something that is now ignored). West is a chemistry magnet and she had plenty of chemistry with several cast members on that soap, despite everything.

It's really a shame that Robin Mattson wasn't as successful on RH as she had been on other shows. I thought she was a wonderful addition to the cast, but hiring her as a Delia recast was just about the most bone-headed decision TPTB could've made. I think she would've been much more successful as Maggie or as a Faith recast.

8 hours ago, janea4old said:

Kassie De Paiva as Eve Donovan on Days. This recasting did not work at all.

Charlotte Ross owned the role July 16, 1987-July 12, 1991. Kassie DePaiva brought back the character 23 years later in 2024. I guess Ron Carlivati thought the 23-year gap wouldn't matter? Kassie's portrayal was like a completely different character -- She wasn't Eve.

I think those who liked Kassie in role were already Kassie fans. But otherwise, I didn't see much approval of the recasting.

Kassie had originally started playing Eve in 2014 and would be off and on for the next decade, so that was a year or two pre-Ron (he did bring her back repeatedly). I wasn't watching on a regular basis. I thought she did good work when Eve's daughter was murdered but I do think it's hard to replace Charlotte Ross in her signature role.

Edited December 1, 2025Dec 1 by DRW50

3 hours ago, Soaplovers said:

ATWT:

Vicky Dawson as Dee Stewart - After the impact of the previous Dee, anyone that took over the role would have an uphill battle.. and I don't even think she lasted a full year as Dee before she was written off.

Sheri Alexander as Sam - The original Sam had a very laid back and dry sense of humor that contrasted nicely with the over the top historics of both Lucinda and Lily.... this Sam lacked any sort of personality and she was written off within a year just as her character was getting a story.

Nothing against Jacqueline Schultz, who was there during extremely dull years, but beyond a certain ethereal presence I thought she was window dressing. The bits I've seen of Dawson are a little better to me, but it wouldn't have mattered as Dee was somehow both overused and inert.

I thought Sheri was OK, if a little brittle, but I agree that Brooke Alexander had a unique presence and wry humor which helped make the character work. I am still not sure if Sam would have returned if not for the regime change, but what a horrible exit for her and for Kirk.

11 hours ago, Liberty City said:

As the World Turns

• Heather Rattray and Noelle Beck as Lily Walsh Snyder: In 1989, successful recast Martha Byrne chose to leave the role of Lily and was recast with Rattray, who was deemed 'cold' in the role. In 1993, prior to his passing, Douglas Marland was successful in returning Byrne to the role, which co-star Jon Hensley welcomed following what he described as a 'difficult' recast with Rattray. .

Heather Rattray for life!

Hensley's comments are interesting as to me he had little chemistry with Martha Byrne when she returned in 1993. Some would return when he did in late 1996 but I don't really think they ever clicked onscreen the same way they did in her first run.

Edited December 1, 2025Dec 1 by DRW50