Izzie, on the hit TV show Grey’s Anatomy, was played by Katherine Heigl. Unfortunately, Katherine was known on set for being difficult to work with and constantly fighting with the writers. She even went as far as to shame the writers in public! She left the show under the ruse that she wanted to spend more time with her family.
Ellen Pompeo, who was her co-star on Grey’s Anatomy, had said in an interview that it was obvious she wanted to leave after being offered $12 Million dollars to star in a movie. Katherine wanted to come back to Grey’s Anatomy so that she could give closure to her role, but the writer said no.
Anita Barone on Friends
At the beginning of season two of Friends, the character Carol was mysteriously recast, with actress Anita Barone being replaced by Jane Sibbett. Barone said that she did not see her character, or Friends, going anywhere, so she decided to just leave. Oh man...hindsight's got to hurt.
Jane Sibbett, was ironically the first choice for the role of Carol in season one. but being pregnant at the time, she was unable to commit. But the next time the opportunity came she hopped right on board. We guess the role was meant for her.
Robbie Rist on The Brady Bunch
During the final season of The Brady Bunch, executives introduced a new and beloved character known as Cousin Oliver. He came to live with the Brady clan and managed to single-handedly melt viewers hearts with his cuteness.
It is said that because the show was already on its last leg, so they tried to write him in as a final effort to mix things up a little. While his addition to the show didn't save it from being canceled, it did however actually start a reappearing phenomenon in the TV industry coined Cousin Oliver Syndrome- add cuteness and youth to a series when ratings begin to flop.
Jared Padalecki on Gilmore Girls
Actor Jared Padalecki portrayed the character, Dean Forester, on the hit series, Gilmore Girls. He left the show to play the role of Dean’s brother, on the show Supernatural. The role of Sam is one that Jared is most well known for.
Bustle had stated that Dean on Gilmore Girls was the ultimate showcase of TV puppy love between him and the famous mother-daughter duo. He went on to marry actress Genevieve Cortese, who was playing Ruby on Supernatural, the show he left Gilmore Girls to be a part of, and they have three children!
Ed Skrein on Games of Thrones
If you're a fan of the show you probably noticed that actor Ed Skrein appeared in a few episodes of Game of Thrones as Daario Naharis until the character was mysteriously recast with little explanation. Well, according to Skrein, his departure was due to "politics" and both he and the executives say that it was a mutual decision.
After the major success Game of Thrones has had, we wonder if he regrets leaving the show today.