Movies - TV
Every Character Recast In The Arrowverse
(& Why The
Actors Left)
By VALERIE ETTENHOFER
Sara Lance
Sara Lance, Oliver Queen’s long-lost romantic interest, was played by Jacqueline MacInnes Wood in the 2012 pilot for “Arrow.” However, due to scheduling conflicts with Wood’s role on “The Bold and the Beautiful,” Caity Lotz took over the role when Sara returned as The Canary in Season 2.
Alura Zor-El
For the first two seasons of “Supergirl,” Broadway actress Laura Benanti appeared as Kara Danvers’ biological mother Alura Zor-El. When it was revealed that Alura was still alive in Season 3, the role had to be recast with "Saving Hope’s" Erica Durance due to Benanti’s scheduling conflicts.
Mr. Mxyzptlk
In Season 2 of “Supergirl,” the trickster Mr. Mxyzptlk was played by "Queen of the South’s" Peter Gadiot, but when he reappeared in Season 5, he was played by comedian Thomas Lennon. Showrunner Jessica Queller revealed that they recast the role because they wanted his vibe to be “more benign and contrite and charming.”
Ralph Dibney
Former "The Young and the Restless" actor Hartley Sawyer had appeared as Ralph Dibny for 50 episodes in “The Flash” before he was fired in Season 6 for past racist and misogynistic tweets that had resurfaced. The character’s send-off was in Season 7, but the actor who played him was not credited and his identity was awkwardly obscured with a helmet.
Zor-El
“Supergirl” Kara’s father Zor-El was played by "Queer As Folk" actor Robert Gant for the first two seasons, but when the character reappeared in the final season, he was played by “Roswell, New Mexico’s" Jason Behr. While no official explanation was given, Gant had appearances in other shows during “Supergirl’s” final season, so he was probably unavailable.