Random Famous TV Roles That Were Almost Played By Someone Else (28 items)

(#14) Tom Hanson
- 21 Jump Street
Jeff Yagher, known at the time for his performance on V, was cast to play Officer Tom Hanson in the 21 Jump Street pilot. Scratching your head? Fox was too and after viewing the pilot episode, they asked Johnny Depp to take over the role.
(#4) Carrie Bradshaw
- Sex and the City, The Carrie Diaries, Sex and the City 2, Sex and the Matrix, Sex and the City
Early on, Dana Delany was offered the role of Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City. Delany turned down the role, telling The Daily Mail, "I didn't want to be in a show about sex." Sarah Jessica Parker didn't mind taking the role and starred on the series for all six seasons.
(#21) Susan Meyer Was Almost Played By Calista Flockhart

The Ally McBeal star, and Harrison Ford's significant other, was originally approached to play the role of Susan Meyer on Desperate Housewives. The actress turned down the role which ended up being played by Teri Hatcher.
(#16) Carol Seaver Was Originally Played By Elizabeth Ward Gracen

An actress named Elizabeth Ward originally played Carol Seaver in the pilot for Growing Pains. Unfortunately for her, test audiences didn't respond well to her performance. Tracey Gold, who had previously auditioned for the part, was brought back in by the producers and the Seaver family was finally complete.
(#22) Jill Taylor
- Home Improvement
Frances Fisher, AKA Rose's mom in Titanic, was originally cast as Jill Taylor on Home Improvement. After her performance in the pilot didn't test well with audiences, she was replaced as Tim Allen's wife by Patricia Richardson.
(#23) Bree Van de Kamp
- Desperate Housewives
Dana Delany was originally offered the role of Bree Van de Kamp on Desperate Housewives. The actress turned the role down because she felt it was too similar to the role she played on the short-lived series Pasadena. Marcia Cross ended up taking the role, though Delany would later join the cast as Katherine.