How I Met Your Mother: How It Should Be Re-Cast In 2021
3. Barney - Joe Keery
Barney Stinson is a horrible person. And yet, fans love him. Despite his undeniably evil acts, such as lying to the women he seduces, Barney has some sick charm which makes him the most iconic character in all of How I Met Your Mother.
No one can replicate Neil Patrick Harris's undeniable charm other than Joe Keery. Best known as Stranger Things’ Steve Harrington, Keery made a high school bully a fan favourite character in Season 1 of Stranger Things. In fact, Keery’s character was supposed to die in season 1, but he charmed the writers so much that they kept him alive, promoted him to the main cast and gave him a redemption arc in Season 2, and treated him like the series’ lead in Season 3. If that’s not Stinson levels of charm, nothing is.
Keery can handle some of Barney’s more dramatic scenes as well, such as meeting his father for the first time or confessing his love to Robin. It would have been fun seeing him suit up for this hilarious sitcom role.