15 TV Shows That Continued Without Their Leads

It may be heartbreaking, and it may seem like a long shot when it happens, but just because a lead actor leaves a series doesn’t mean the show can’t go on.

We’ve seen it on comedies like Spin City and The Office and on dramas like The Vampire Diaries and Grey’s Anatomy.

Most recently, it was announced that Jennifer Morrison, along with several other of the show’s actors, won’t be returning for Once Upon a Time Season 7. The same thing nearly happened with Castle as well, but the series was canceled before we could see it move forward without Stana Katic.

Here are 15 shows that soldiered on without their lead actors.

1. Spin City

Michael J. Fox left Spin City in 2000, at the conclusion of Season 4 due to his battle with Parkinson’s disease. Charlie Sheen assumed the lead role for the show’s remaining two seasons.

2. The Office

Steve Carell chose to move on after his contract expired during season seven of the NBC comedy. Catherine Tate and James Spader tried to fill his shoes, but the show was never quite the same. The show ended its nine-season run two years later in 2013.

3. The X-Files

David Duchovny chose to quit full-time participation in the X-Files after the seventh season. Instead of canceling the show, it was decided that his character, Fox Mulder, would be abducted by aliens and return for a few episodes the following year. John Doggett, played by Robert Patrick, stepped in, but the ratings still took a hit.

4. Law and Order SVU

Cast changes are common in the Law and Order franchise but the biggest shakeup was when Christopher Meloni left SVU. After twelve years pf playing Elliot Stabler, Meloni moved on in 2011. While he took a role in HBO’s True Blood, SVU brought in Danny Pino.

5. Nashville

Nashville has had a rough road. The show, originally an ABC drama, was canceled after four seasons in 2016. CMT resurrected the show in 2017 but series star Connie Britton seemed to already have one foot out the door — with rumors swirling that she would not be appearing in the entire fifth season.

Although she assured fans she was in it for “the duration,” her character, Rayna James died nine episodes into the season. Rachel Bilson has been added to the cast for season six.

6. Downton Abbey

The first three seasons of Downton Abbey focused squarely on the love story between Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley. And just as they seemed like they were about to have their happy ending — Matthew was killed in a car accident because actor Dan Stevens wanted to pursue other projects.

However, it all worked out. Mary grieved, Stevens got starring roles in Beauty and the Beast and Legion, and Downton lasted three more seasons.

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