Behind the scenes of the series, a few slip-ups can sometimes lead to shocking dismissals. Here are some notable examples of actors and actresses who were ousted from their series, each for very specific reasons.
Gina Carano – The Mandalorian
Disney+
Gina Carano, a former MMA fighter turned actress, was fired from The Mandalorian by Disney-owned Lucasfilm in February 2021. She played the role of Cara Dune, an ex-Rebel Alliance soldier turned marshal for the New Republic. Her departure was prompted by a series of controversial posts on her social media, in which she equated “political conservatives’ criticism of the annihilation of millions of Jews“. These messages aroused public outrage, and the sanction was immediate. Ousted, the actress decided to file a complaint against Disney with the financial support of Elon Musk.
Roseanne Barr – Roseanne
ABC/Robert Trachtenberg
Roseanne Barr, star of the sitcom Roseanne – returned to the air in 2018 with a season 10, 22 years after the “first” end of the series – was fired the same year after a tweet considered racist towards Valerie Jarrett, a former advisor to Barack Obama. ABC reacted quickly by canceling the series despite a successful return to television. Soon after, the network launched The Conners, a spinoff without the character Roseanne, who was killed off in the series, allowing the other family members to continue their story without her.
Clayne Crawford – Lethal Weapon
Ray Mickshaw/FOX
Clayne Crawford, one of the protagonists of Lethal Weapon – the television adaptation of the cult film of the same name – played the role of Martin Riggs. He was fired in 2018 after the second season due to behavior deemed inappropriate on set, including verbal altercations and a toxic work environment. He was replaced by Seann William Scott, who played a new character in the third season, attempting to breathe new life into the series.
Kevin Spacey – House of Cards
David Giesbrecht / Netflix
Kevin Spacey, who plays Frank Underwood in House of Cards, was kicked out of the series in 2017 following accusations of sexual harassment by several people, including members of the show’s crew. These revelations had an immediate impact, leading Netflix to end its collaboration with the actor. The series continued for a final season with Robin Wright in the lead role, ending Frank Underwood’s political rise abruptly.
Jeffrey Tambor – Transparent
Bruno Bebert / BESTIMAGE
Jeffrey Tambor, who played Maura Pfefferman, a transgender character in the wonderful series Transparent, left the production in 2017 following accusations of sexual harassment by several staff members. Despite the actor’s denials, the situation created an untenable climate, and the actor chose to leave on his own before Amazon Studios decided to fire him to preserve the working environment. The series concluded with a musical film, marking the end of the story without Maura’s character.
Danny Masterson – The Ranch
Greg Gayne/Netflix
Danny Masterson, best known for his role as Steven Hyde on That ’70s Show, starred in the Netflix series The Ranch alongside his former costar Ashton Kutcher. Masterson was dropped from the series in 2017 following accusations of rape by several women, dating back to the 2000s. In response, Netflix decided to remove him from the series, affirming its commitment to not being associated with behavior that contravenes its ethical principles. The actor was sentenced to 30 years in prison for rape last September.
Charlie Sheen – Two and a Half Men
FX Networks
Charlie Sheen, who played the title character Charlie Harper on My Uncle Charlie, was fired in 2011 after a series of erratic behaviors and harsh public statements toward the show’s creator, Chuck Lorre. Charlie Sheen’s escapades, mainly caused by drug and alcohol problems, as well as his media outings, created an unbearable climate for the production. His departure led to the introduction of a new character played by Ashton Kutcher, marking a watershed moment for the series.
Shannen Doherty – Charmed
CBS Paramount International
Shannen Doherty, who played Prue Halliwell in the first three seasons of Charmed, was fired in 2001. Officially, her departure was due to growing tensions on set, particularly with her co-stars Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs. Rumors of frequent altercations and a general bad vibe eventually led producers to make the decision to write her off the show, replacing her character with a new sister, Paige, played by Rose McGowan. More than 20 years after this event, fans continue to seek to know what really happened.
These examples illustrate the extent to which a star’s conduct can affect not only their career but also the trajectory of an entire production. In the television industry, the line between personal and professional life is often (too) thin, and the repercussions can be devastating.
Now, because of problematic personal behavior and serious accusations that make their presence in projects more and more untenable, productions no longer hesitate to thank actresses and actors who tarnish their image.