10 Actors Who Were Recast After The Pilot Episode
7. Rachel Dratch - Jenna Maroney/DeCarlo (30 Rock)
The original unaired pilot of Tina Fey's 30 Rock had one big difference from the hit show that would clock in seven seasons before entering the US comedy halls of fame: Jenna.
Rachel Dratch was originally cast as Liz Lemon's (Fey) friend and the flailing co-star of The Girlie Show, who was named Jenna DeCarlo in the pilot. As the show's creator, as well as a core cast member, Fey brought Dratch along from her SNL cohort, trusting in her tried and tested abilities as a comedic performer.
After a shift in tone and setup, however, with Fey deciding the character needed to be more of a straight part, Jane Krakowski took on the role of the newly dubbed Jenna Maroney on the rebranded TGS with Tracy Jordan.
Nonetheless, Dratch did not go to waste on the show, as she went on to guest star throughout 30 Rock's run, utilising her SNL skills as a sketch comedian in several different roles as minor characters, including the infamous cat wrangler Greta Johansen.