21 actors who wanted to be cast in popular TV roles but didn't get them

Stephanie MarcusJul 1, 2020, 03:05 IST

Olivia Wilde auditioned for Marissa Cooper, who was played by Mischa Barton.Getty Images/ The CW

Some famous actors have said that they auditioned for or wanted to be cast as some of the most popular TV roles of all time.
Both Jennifer Lawrence and Rumer Willis were considered to play Serena van der Woodsen on "Gossip Girl" before Blake Lively got the role.
Tiffani Thiessen, Hank Azaria, and Eric McCormack all vied for leading roles on "Friends" before they went to Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, and David Schwimmer, respectively.
Iwan Rheon auditioned for Jon Snow and Mahershala Ali auditioned for a supporting role on "Game of Thrones," but they were both beat out by other actors.

Rejection is a big part of being an actor, and pretty much everyone working in Hollywood knows what it's like to be turned down for a role.

Though many A-listers get to a point in their careers where projects come to them, there aren't many actors out there who haven't been on an unsuccessful audition.

Here are some famous actors who wanted to be cast in popular TV roles, but didn't get them.

According to the show's creator, Jennifer Lawrence auditioned to play Serena van der Woodsen on "Gossip Girl."

Jennifer Lawrence auditioned for "Gossip Girl" before Blake Lively was cast in the role. Getty/ The CW

Rumer Willis was surprised to learn that execs at The CW originally recommended her to play Serena on "Gossip Girl."

Rumer Willis was also in the running for Serena on "Gossip Girl." Getty Images/ The CW

Lily Collins said she auditioned to play Jenny Humphrey on "Gossip Girl."

Lily Collins auditioned for the "Gossip Girl" role that went to Taylor Momsen. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images; The CW

Tiffani Thiessen said she was "too young" to play Rachel Green on "Friends."

Tiffani Thiessen auditioned for Rachel on "Friends." Getty/ NBC

Hank Azaria said he auditioned twice for the role of Joey Tribbiani on "Friends."

Hank Azaria auditioned for the role of Joey, which went to Matt LeBlanc. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP; NBC

Eric McCormack said he auditioned to play Ross Geller on "Friends."

Eric McCormack auditioned for Ross on "Friends," which went to David Schwimmer. Getty Images/ NBC

Selma Blair came close to playing Joey Potter on The WB's "Dawson's Creek," according to the show's creator.

Selma Blair was considered for Katie Holmes' role on "Dawson's Creek." Earl Gibson III/Getty Images and Sony Pictures Television

Producers of the show said Katherine Heigl gave a great audition to play Jen Lindley on "Dawson's Creek."

The role Katherine Heigl auditioned for ended up going to Michelle Williams. Cindy Ord/Getty Images; The WB

Adrian Grenier said he was considered for the titular role on "Dawson's Creek."

Adrian Grenier auditioned for Dawson, which went to James Van Der Beek. Getty Images; The WB

HBO's "Game of Thrones" producers kept Iwan Rheon in mind for other roles after he auditioned to play Jon Snow.

Iwan Rheon auditioned for Jon Snow, which eventually went to Kit Harington. Getty Images/ HBO

Mahershala Ali said he totally blew his "Game of Thrones" audition.

Mahershala Ali reportedly auditioned for Nonso Anozie's part on "Game of Thrones." Getty Images/ HBO

Nathan Fillion said he didn't make it very far when he auditioned to play Angel on The WB's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

Nathan Fillion auditioned for the role of Angel, which went to David Boreanaz Getty Images/ The CW

Peter Hermann was almost cast as Don Draper on "Mad Men," according to the show's creator.

Peter Hermann auditioned for the role on "Mad Men" that went to Jon Hamm. Getty Images/ AMC

"The OC" producers said Olivia Wilde was too "tough" to play Marissa Cooper.

Olivia Wilde auditioned for Marissa Cooper, who was played by Mischa Barton. Getty Images/ The CW

Alicia Silverstone was deemed too "beautiful" to play Angela Chase on ABC's "My So-Called Life," per the show's executive producer.

Alicia Silverstone auditioned for the role that went to Claire Danes. Getty Images/ ABC

Emma Stone said she didn't land one of the coveted spots on "All That" when she auditioned as a preteen.

Emma Stone auditioned for Nickelodeon's sketch-comedy show. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

David Tennant said he met with producers about playing Hannibal Lecter on NBC's "Hannibal."

David Tennant auditioned for the lead role that went to Mads Mikkelsen. Getty Images/ NBC

Taylor Momsen later said she was actually happy she wasn't cast as the titular role on "Hannah Montana."

Taylor Momsen auditioned for "Hannah Montana" before Miley Cyrus was cast. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Chris Cornell Estate; Disney Channel

According to the show's producer, Teri Hatcher was almost cast as Jamie Buchman on "Mad About You."

Teri Hatcher auditioned for the role of Jamie Buchman, which went to Helen Hunt. Steve Granitz via Getty Images; NBC

Kaley Cuoco said she got passed over for a role on NBC's "Freaks and Geeks."

Kaley Cuoco auditioned for "Freaks and Geeks." Rich Fury/Getty Images

Sandra Oh said Shonda Rhimes turned her down for Olivia Pope on "Scandal" because of her role on "Grey's Anatomy."

Sandra Oh said she wanted to play the role of Olivia Pope, which went to Kerry Washington. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images; ABC

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