10 TV Characters They Couldn't Stop Recasting
1. Cristal - Dynasty
And finally, we have the character of Cristal in the 2017 reboot of the iconic soap opera series Dynasty.
Cristal is an updated version of Krystle Carrington (Linda Evans) from the original series, and in the reboot's first season was played by Nathalie Kelley for 22 episodes.
However, Kelley wasn't asked to return for season two, reportedly due to executives at The CW feeling that she was a poor fit for the part.
But rather than give Cristal a straight-up recast, the decision was made, in true soap opera style, to reveal that Kelley's Cristal was actually an imposter of-sorts.
Rather, "Cristal" was actually a woman named Celia Machado, who the real Cristal allowed to use her name. Celia was then shot dead at the end of season one, paving the way for the legit Cristal to join the cast.
Cristal 2.0 made her debut in season two, now played by Ana Brenda Contreras, who herself departed the role at the end of the season due to "personal reasons." Daniella Alonso then took over playing Cristal for Dynasty's three remaining seasons.
It goes without saying that a show as fundamentally ridiculous as Dynasty can get away with errant recasting far easier than a more serious-minded series, and at least they decided to have a little fun when giving their first Cristal the boot.