Same Character...Different Actor
By elfbwillow
@elfbwillow (307)
June 21, 2010 1:49pm CST
I have seen this in a few programmes though the main one is in the daytime soap of Neighbours. It has yet again happened with the character of Declan. The actor decided he did not want to renew his contract yet the creators wanted to keep the character and just replaced him with a new actor with no break whatsoever. Apparently the character was so popular they didnt want to lose him though did they not consider that the character may have been popular due to the actor? Personally I hate it when they suddenly change the actor with no break or warning whatsoever. It is offputting and bad planning i feel on their part.
What do you think?
5 responses
@oldchem1 (8132)
•
22 Jun 10
I can't comment on this paticular case as I don't watch Neighbours, but it happens so much in other soaps and is quite annoying.
Look at Eastenders, Peggy Mitchell was initially played by Jo Warne when she first appeared on 30 April 1991, she was in it quite a bit for a few weeks. Then Peggy was reintroduced in 1994 by Barbara Windsor, her looks, personalaty and even the story line behind her life had changed - do these TV producers think we forget things so easily!!
@elfbwillow (307)
•
22 Jun 10
I didnt realise Peggy was a different actor from the beginning! I couldnt see anyone apart from Barbara Windsor playing her. That is so silly when even the whole storyline is changed!
@rosie230 (1704)
•
21 Jun 10
Oh yeah I hate this too... I have seen it happen so many times, and I believe that it is going to be happening on home and away again this week, when a family arrive back in the bay, and one of the kids is going to be played by a different actor. I don't know if you remember the earlier years of home and away, but there was a character/actress change in the lady who played Pippa. It was confusing for a time, but after a while I actually preferred the new Pippa compared to the old one. The last time I saw a character change on Neighbours, was when Libby was replaced for a short time because she had become unwell in real life. I can understand that, but the thing with Declan, I don't think that is right, at the very least they could have given Declan a holiday for a month or so and then brought him back re-introducing him as a new actor.
@elfbwillow (307)
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22 Jun 10
I hated the new Libby! though at least as you said it was something they couldnt help. With Declan, one day he is the usual actor and then the next day theres this strange person being called Declan! No break whatsoever - I dont think he is going to be popular at all
@durgabala (1360)
• India
22 Jun 10
Oh...I thought this happened only in Indian teleserials...I hate it when the person changes. the serial producers do tell the change, but it unacceptable for few characters. The voice dubbing too....these actors get busy during dubbing, they opt for other voices.
@wiggles18 (2506)
• Canada
21 Jun 10
Yep, it just doesn't "feel" right. I hate it even when they change the voice on some cartoons and even when characters on TV shows talk a little bit different then they used to, or behave a little bit different than they used to, because it makes it hard to watch episodes where things aren't the way you liked them to be.
@elfbwillow (307)
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22 Jun 10
It doesnt worry me too much about voices of cartoons changing though I do admit that with Winnie the Pooh it took me ages to get used to the newer voice in the modern version of Tigger and Pooh over the version I grew up with!
