So i was thinking today about Ellen Dolan and Cady McClain and it got me wondering, other than these two wonderful actresses, what other examples can we think of for recasts that were actually better or brought something of more depth to the role than the people they took over for?

Clearly, Cady McClain elevated the role of Rosanna Cabot to a new level and added a depth the character hadn't had before. And it's obvious that Ellen Dolan has more than made the role her own, i doubt anybody thinks about Hillary Smith anymore when thinking of Margo.

So what other recasts can we think of, who redefined or made the role much more important then it was prior?

Obviously there is Erika Slezak, Robin Strasser, Julia Barr, some would say Tamara Braun and of course Eden Riegal might fit in this as well.

who else?

Roles that were brought to a new prominance because of a successful recast-think Aburey Dollar.

who else?

I'd say it's only fair if the original was in the role for quite some time.

Y&R's
Jess Walton - Just a goddess when written for correctly.
Sandra Nelson - I loved me some SN! I thought she was superb in the role and Y&R should consider hiring her for someone else.
Billy Miller - I wouldn't say he's better than David Tom per se, but he definitely took the character to new heights IMO.
Veronica Redd - I miss this talented lady.
Sharon Case - When she wants to be.
Peter Bergman - I never truly saw Terry Lester in all his glory, but from what I have seen, I prefer Peter.

Robin Mattson (Janet), All My Children. Where's her friggin' Emmy?

--Morgan

I've never really bought Bergman as a heterosexual playboy. I actually think Lester might've been gay in real-life but he was a more convincing Jack.

Sabine Singh (ex-Greenlee, AMC). I thought her Greenlee was 10X better than Rebecca's Greenlee when she came back the second time. Sabine should come back to soaps.

This thread belongs to Jess Walton. While Brenda Dickson played Jill Abbott on a campy level (especially in the latter years), Jess Walton gave the character depth and managed to win 2 emmys in the process.

It's a shame that she's not given the material she received in the 90s. This lady did angry, confrontational scenes better than anybody!

Kassie DePavia - Blair OLTL
Gina Tognoni - Dinah GL

quote:

Clearly, Cady McClain elevated the role of Rosanna Cabot to a new level and added a depth the character hadn't had before. And it's obvious that Ellen Dolan has more than made the role her own, i doubt anybody thinks about Hillary Smith anymore when thinking of Margo.

It's funny you mention this, because a couple weeks ago my mom screamed "MARGO!!" when she saw Hilary B. Smith on ATWT. Clearly she hasn't forgotten, lol. I thought it was so cute and random. At first she thought she had returned to ATWT and was so disappointed when I told her it was a different soap. Of course, she demanded I turn it on ATWT.

I think Margo benefits from having different actresses play her at different points in life. Each was hugely popular and had signature stories. But I disagree about Cady as Rosanna. She is shrill and annoying. Not nearly as compelling as Yvonna Perry. It's like a new character.

I'd say...

Sandra Nelson as Phyllis

Heather Tom as Kelly

Jess Walton as Jill Abbott

Adrianne Leon as Colleen

William deVry, Patrick Duffy, Jennifer Garies and Heather Tom as the new Logan's

Ted Shackelford as Gary Ewing

Randall Edwards as Delia Reid Ryan

Stacy Haiduk as Patty

I loved Lyndsay Fonesca, when she left so did Colleen.

quote:

Originally posted by VivaForever:
[QUOTE]

But I disagree about Cady as Rosanna. She is shrill and annoying. Not nearly as compelling as Yvonna Perry. It's like a new character.

I Couldn't Agree More!

Martha Madison, maybe my favorite recast ever, as Belle on DAYS. I love Kirsten Storms, but she's got nothing on Madison.

I prefer Lauren Koslow's Kate to Deborah Adair's.

She's only been in the role for a few weeks, but Lindsay Hartley's Arianna has already erased my memory of Felisha Terrill, who I liked.

speaking of Kirsten Storms, her recast of Maxie is one of the better one's in recent years. Although i loved Robyn Richards and wanted her to stay i've grown to love Storms and believe she's grown into this role nicely.

Now, for one of the worst: Alicia Minshew---she had a formiddable task taking over such a prestigious role from such a high caliber actress and she has failed to meet the challenge. She's taken the backbone and spite out of Kendall and made her into a whimpering fool. SMG's Kendall would have rather stabbed Ryan than let him go with Erica, AM's Kendall whines, cries and shrieks if she doesn't get her way.

quote:

Originally posted by syrus80:
I've never really bought Bergman as a heterosexual playboy. I actually think Lester might've been gay in real-life but he was a more convincing Jack.

Lester's Jack stand much taller than Bergman. Peter has made the role his own but I will always remember Terry.

quote:

Originally posted by EmmyLoser:
Martha Madison, maybe my favorite recast ever, as Belle on DAYS. I love Kirsten Storms, but she's got nothing on Madison.

I prefer Lauren Koslow's Kate to Deborah Adair's.

She's only been in the role for a few weeks, but Lindsay Hartley's Arianna has already erased my memory of Felisha Terrill, who I liked.

i HATED lindsay hartley on passions, and i hate her as arianna, she is nowhere near as good as felisha terrill was, and should not come anywhere near being considered a best recast, i do however agree with you on the kirsten storms vs. martha madison....


however in the deborah adair vs. koslow...there were points i liked best of both of them, adair plays a very good victim, where as koslow is good at being a bitch, i've been rewatching the curtis brown storyline on youtube, and i'm really enjoying watching deborah adair's performance, which got her a SOD award for that year, but i love koslow, esepcially her current storyline, it's nice to see her do other things, other than cat and mouse with sami, it was funny in the 90's and early new millenium...but it got old after a bit....



as for best dool recast...i know she was only on for a short time, so it's hard to judge, but there was another woman playing lexie carver before renee jones took over, could be unfair to judge, since she had minimal air time before renee jones took over, but i don't think there could be a better portrayer of lexie carver, than renee jones!

From DAYS:

Jay K. Johnson (Philip)
Mary Beth Evans (Kayla)
Lindsay Hartley (Arianna)
Lauren Koslow (Kate)
Martha Madison (Belle)
Eric Martsolf (Brady)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Scoopster,

I hated Lindsay Hartley on Passions, too, and in fact, I was on these boards complaining when she was cast as Arianna. But I'm happy to admit that I was wrong in this case. She immediately improved Arianna and made the character her own.

Eric Marltsof doesn't really do much for me as Brady.

I forgot to mention my other favorite DAYS recast, Heather Lindell taking over the role of Jan Spears from Heather Olsen. The story wasn't good, but Lindell made it more of a guilty pleasure than just a pile of crap.

eric martsolf is hot...but he's not that great, and all i see from lindsay hartley, is a whiny little girl, and a terrible actress, not much different than on passions, felisha terrill made arianna look somewhat tough and mysterious, while lindsay hartley comes off as weak, and a totally open book, not a great recast.

No one's mentioned Lesli Kay who is a great recast as Felicia. Jennifer Finnigan is technically a recasted Bridget. Patrick Duffy is a great Stephen Logan. They really should pair him with Felicia or Taylor.

What about ATWT's Paul Ryan. Scott Holroyd vs Roger Howarth. And to take it further.... How about OLTL's Todd Manning Roger Howarth or Trevor St John?

DISH!!!

i don't recall Scott Holroyd because i don't watch ATWT much but he has to be better than Howarth right?

and imho Howarth is the only Todd Manning ever imho. St. John is a good actor but he's not todd.

Speaking of OLTL which Kevin and Joey are your favorites?

Joey for me will always be Nathan Fillion, although i did like Don Jeffcoat as well. In regards to Kevin, they have all had their strong points, but i liked Timothy Gibbs and Dan Gauthier the best, Kevin Stapelton was the worst... too fat.