Actors Who Returned to a Show After Leaving

It is not uncommon for actors to leave a television show. They might leave to pursue other acting jobs, because of disagreements, or for personal reasons. When a main character leaves a show, it can be a big event for the audience. Fans often feel a connection to these characters and are sad to see them go. The show’s creators then have to decide how to write the character out of the story.

Sometimes, however, an actor’s departure is not the end of the story. For various reasons, they might decide to come back to the show that made them famous. This can be for a single guest appearance, for a special event like a series finale, or even to rejoin the main cast. These returns are often exciting for viewers, as they get to see a beloved character on their screens once more.

David Duchovny – The X-Files

David Duchovny became a star playing FBI agent Fox Mulder on The X-Files. He was a main character for the first seven seasons of the show. However, after the seventh season, Duchovny decided to reduce his role. This was partly due to a dispute over his contract. He felt he was not being paid fairly for the show’s success.

Duchovny appeared in only half of the episodes in season eight. In season nine, he was only in the series finale. However, he later returned to the role of Fox Mulder. He starred in the 2008 movie The X-Files: I Want to Believe and came back for two more seasons of the show in 2016 and 2018, giving fans a chance to see the iconic character again.

Rob Lowe – The West Wing

Rob Lowe was a key cast member of the political drama The West Wing, playing Sam Seaborn. He was a main character for the first four seasons. Lowe decided to leave the show because he reportedly felt that his character was not being given enough attention and he felt undervalued. His role had become smaller as the show focused more on the ensemble cast.

Lowe returned to The West Wing for the show’s final season. He appeared in two of the last episodes, where his character became the Deputy Chief of Staff for the new president. He also rejoined the cast for a special reunion episode in 2020 to encourage people to vote.

Farrah Fawcett – Charlie’s Angels

Farrah Fawcett became a major star after just one season of Charlie’s Angels. She played Jill Munroe, one of the original three private detectives. Despite the show’s huge success, Fawcett decided to leave after the first season to focus on a movie career. Her departure led to a legal dispute with the show’s producers.

To settle the lawsuit, Fawcett agreed to return to Charlie’s Angels for a number of guest appearances. She came back for three episodes in the third season and three more in the fourth season. This arrangement allowed her to pursue other roles while still being a part of the show that made her famous.

John Travolta – Welcome Back, Kotter

John Travolta’s career took off when he played Vinnie Barbarino in the sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter. His character was one of the most popular “Sweathogs” in Mr. Kotter’s class. As Travolta’s fame grew, especially after starring in blockbuster movies, it became difficult for him to continue his full-time role on the television show.

In the final season of Welcome Back, Kotter, Travolta’s role was reduced. He appeared in a limited number of episodes as a “special guest star.” This allowed the show to continue while he focused on his thriving film career.

Steve Carell – The Office

Steve Carell was the heart of The Office for seven seasons, playing the well-meaning but often clueless boss, Michael Scott. His decision to leave the show was a major moment for fans. Carell stated that he wanted to spend more time with his family and felt it was time for other characters on the show to have more of the spotlight. His contract was up, and he chose to move on.

While his absence was deeply felt in the final two seasons, Carell made a surprise return for the series finale. He appeared in a short but meaningful cameo at Dwight Schrute’s wedding. His return provided a sense of closure for the fans and the characters, delivering one last iconic “that’s what she said” line.

Paget Brewster – Criminal Minds

Paget Brewster played Special Agent Emily Prentiss on the crime drama Criminal Minds. During the show’s sixth season, her role was reduced, and she was later let go, reportedly for financial reasons. This move was met with backlash from fans who loved her character.

Due to the strong fan reaction, Brewster was rehired and returned as a main character in season seven. She later left again at the end of that season to pursue other acting opportunities but returned for guest spots in seasons nine and eleven. Brewster eventually rejoined the show as a series regular from season twelve until the original series ended and continued the role in its revival.

Sherry Stringfield – ER

Sherry Stringfield was a member of the original cast of the medical drama ER, playing Dr. Susan Lewis. She left the popular show during its third season, stating that she wanted to have a more normal life and escape the demanding filming schedule. Her departure was a surprise as her character was a central figure.

Five years later, in 2001, Stringfield returned to ER, reprising her role as Dr. Lewis. She remained with the show for four more seasons before leaving again in 2005. She made one final appearance in the series finale in 2009, bringing her character’s journey to a close.

Alicia Goranson – Roseanne

Lecy Goranson originated the role of Becky Conner on the sitcom Roseanne. She played the character for the first five seasons. Goranson decided to leave the show to attend college. To accommodate her education, her character was written out as having eloped with her boyfriend.

When the producers wanted to bring Becky back, Goranson’s school schedule was a conflict. The role was then recast with Sarah Chalke. However, Goranson did return in season eight, and for a time, she and Chalke alternated the role, a situation the show made jokes about. Goranson returned full-time to play Becky in the 2018 revival of the series.

Sarah Chalke – Roseanne

Sarah Chalke took over the role of Becky Conner on Roseanne after the original actress, Lecy Goranson, left for college. Chalke played Becky for most of season six and all of season seven. She became the face of the character for a new wave of viewers.

When Goranson returned to the show in season eight, Chalke’s time as Becky was not completely over. The two actresses famously shared the role, with Chalke stepping in when Goranson was unavailable. Chalke played the part full-time again in season nine. For the show’s 2018 revival, with Goranson back as Becky, Chalke returned in a new and different guest role.

Lauren Cohan – The Walking Dead

Lauren Cohan played the tough survivor Maggie Rhee on The Walking Dead for many seasons. She became a key member of the cast. However, she decided to leave the show during its ninth season. Her departure was reportedly due to a contract dispute and a desire to explore other acting opportunities.

After being absent for a significant part of the show, Cohan returned to The Walking Dead. She made a guest appearance at the end of season ten and rejoined as a series regular for the final season. She also went on to star in a spin-off series, continuing Maggie’s story.

Christopher Meloni – Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

For twelve seasons, Christopher Meloni was a fan favorite as Detective Elliot Stabler on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. His partnership with Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson was a cornerstone of the show. Fans were shocked when it was announced he would not be returning for season thirteen due to a failure to reach an agreement on his contract.

After nearly a decade away, Meloni returned to the Law & Order universe. He first appeared in a guest spot on SVU, which set the stage for his own spin-off series, Law & Order: Organized Crime. This allowed for his character, Stabler, to reunite with Benson and other characters from his past.

Patrick Dempsey – Grey’s Anatomy

Patrick Dempsey played the charming neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd, also known as “McDreamy,” on Grey’s Anatomy. He was a main character from the very beginning. Dempsey left the show in its eleventh season when his character was killed in a car accident. The actor stated that the demanding schedule was a factor in his decision, and he felt it was time to move on to other projects.

Years after his character’s death, Dempsey made a surprise return to Grey’s Anatomy in season seventeen. He appeared in a dream sequence, reuniting with Meredith Grey on a beach. This return provided a touching and emotional moment for longtime fans of the show.

T.R. Knight – Grey’s Anatomy

T.R. Knight played the kind-hearted Dr. George O’Malley, one of the original interns on Grey’s Anatomy. Knight chose to leave the show after the fifth season. He cited a “breakdown in communication” with the show’s producers and a lack of screen time for his character as reasons for his departure. His character was killed off in the season six premiere.

Like his former co-star Patrick Dempsey, T.R. Knight also made a surprise return to Grey’s Anatomy in season seventeen. He appeared as George in the same beach dream sequence, giving Meredith and the audience a chance to reconnect with another beloved character from the show’s early days.

Isaiah Washington – Grey’s Anatomy

Isaiah Washington played the talented surgeon Dr. Preston Burke in the first three seasons of Grey’s Anatomy. His character was known for his professional ambition and his relationship with Cristina Yang. Washington was fired from the show after using a homophobic slur during an on-set argument.

Seven years after his dismissal, Washington returned for a single guest appearance in season ten. His character, Burke, was brought back to provide a resolution to Cristina Yang’s storyline as she was leaving the show. This return was a significant and talked-about moment for the series.

Jorja Fox – CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Jorja Fox played forensic scientist Sara Sidle on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. She was a main character for the first eight seasons. Fox chose to leave the show, stating that she had been struggling with the violent nature of the series and wanted to pursue other personal and professional goals.

Fox did not stay away for long. She returned for guest appearances in season nine and became a recurring character in season ten. She then rejoined the main cast from season twelve until the series ended. Fox also returned for the sequel series, CSI: Vegas, to once again play the character of Sara Sidle.

Ashton Kutcher – That ’70s Show

Ashton Kutcher became a well-known actor playing the goofy and lovable Michael Kelso on That ’70s Show. After being a main character for the first seven seasons, Kutcher decided to leave to focus on his growing movie career. His character was written out of the show as having moved to Chicago.

Although he was no longer a series regular, Kutcher returned for the series finale of That ’70s Show. He made a special guest appearance, reuniting with his old friends one last time. He also later reprised his role as a guest star in the sequel series, That ’90s Show.

Scott Weinger – Full House

Scott Weinger played Steve Hale, the boyfriend of D.J. Tanner, on the popular sitcom Full House. He was a recurring character in season five and a main character for seasons six and seven. Weinger left the show to attend Harvard University.

Weinger returned for a cameo appearance in the series finale of Full House. Years later, he came back to the role of Steve in a much bigger way. He became a main character on the sequel series, Fuller House, where his character once again pursued a relationship with D.J. Tanner.

Chad Michael Murray – One Tree Hill

Chad Michael Murray was the star of the teen drama One Tree Hill, playing Lucas Scott for the first six seasons. He was one of the central characters, and his narration was a key part of the show. Murray, along with his co-star Hilarie Burton, left the show after the sixth season when their contracts expired.

While Hilarie Burton did not return to the original series, Chad Michael Murray did. He came back for a special guest appearance in the show’s ninth and final season. His character, Lucas, returned to Tree Hill to support his best friend, Haley, during a difficult time.

Denise Crosby – Star Trek: The Next Generation

Denise Crosby was part of the original main cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation, playing security chief Tasha Yar. Unhappy with the development of her character, she asked to be released from her contract during the first season. Her character was killed by an alien creature.

Despite her character’s death, Crosby returned to the show on multiple occasions. She appeared as Tasha Yar in an alternate timeline episode called “Yesterday’s Enterprise.” She also played a new character, Sela, who was Tasha’s half-Romulan daughter. Finally, she returned as Tasha Yar once more in the series finale.

Patrick Duffy – Dallas

Patrick Duffy played Bobby Ewing, one of the main characters on the popular primetime soap opera Dallas. At the end of the show’s eighth season, Duffy decided to leave the series, and his character was killed in a car accident. The show continued without him for a full season.

In a move that has become legendary in television history, Patrick Duffy returned to Dallas at the end of the ninth season. The entire ninth season was explained away as a dream of his wife, Pamela Ewing. Duffy then remained with the show until it ended.

Hilarie Burton – One Tree Hill

Hilarie Burton played Peyton Sawyer, a core character in the drama One Tree Hill. She was a central figure in the show’s storylines for the first six seasons. Burton chose to leave the series at the end of season six, at the same time as her co-star Chad Michael Murray. She has stated that it was time for her to move on.

While Chad Michael Murray returned for a guest spot, Burton did not come back to the original series. However, she has participated in reunion events and a rewatch podcast with her former co-stars. More recently, it was announced that she would be reprising her role as Peyton Sawyer in a new One Tree Hill sequel series for Netflix.

Mischa Barton – The O.C.

Mischa Barton was one of the main stars of the popular teen drama The O.C., playing Marissa Cooper. Her character was a central part of the show for the first three seasons. Barton chose to leave the show, and her character was killed off in the season three finale. She has since said that she felt unprotected from the pressures of fame and that there was bullying on set.

While Marissa Cooper’s death meant she could not return in the same way as some other actors, Barton has remained connected to the show’s legacy. She has spoken about her experiences on the show in interviews. In 2019, she returned to reality television, joining the cast of The Hills: New Beginnings, a reboot of another show from the same era as The O.C.

Damon Wayans Jr. – New Girl

Damon Wayans Jr. was originally cast as Coach in the pilot episode of the sitcom New Girl. However, at the time the show was picked up, he was also on another show, Happy Endings, which was unexpectedly renewed. Due to his commitment to the other series, he had to leave New Girl after the first episode.

After Happy Endings was canceled, Damon Wayans Jr. was able to return to New Girl. He came back as a special guest star in season three and was then a series regular for season four. He left again after season four but returned for guest appearances in the show’s final season.

Mike Evans – The Jeffersons

Mike Evans was the original actor to play Lionel Jefferson on the classic sitcom The Jeffersons. He was a main character for the first season. Evans left the show to focus on his work as a creator and writer for the sitcom Good Times.

The role of Lionel was recast with actor Damon Evans (no relation) for seasons two through four. However, Mike Evans returned to the role of Lionel full-time for seasons six and seven. He then appeared as a recurring character in season eight and made a final guest appearance in the eleventh and final season.

Esther Rolle – Good Times

Esther Rolle starred as the matriarch Florida Evans on the sitcom Good Times. The show was originally intended to focus on her and her husband. However, the character of their oldest son, J.J., became extremely popular, and the show’s focus shifted to his comedic antics.

Unhappy with the direction of the show and the portrayal of J.J., Esther Rolle decided to leave Good Times after the fourth season. After a season without her, she was persuaded to return for the show’s final season, with the agreement that the scripts would portray a more positive family image.

Gates McFadden – Star Trek: The Next Generation

Gates McFadden played Dr. Beverly Crusher in the first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation. She was reportedly let go after the first season due to conflicts with one of the show’s writers. Her character was written out and replaced by Dr. Katherine Pulaski for the second season.

Thanks to a letter-writing campaign from fans and support from her co-star Patrick Stewart, Gates McFadden returned to the role of Dr. Crusher in the third season. She then remained with the show for the rest of its run, as well as appearing in the Next Generation movies and the series Star Trek: Picard.

Thomas Gibson – Criminal Minds

Thomas Gibson starred as Unit Chief Aaron “Hotch” Hotchner on Criminal Minds for eleven seasons. He was a central figure and leader of the Behavioral Analysis Unit. Gibson was dismissed from the show during the filming of the twelfth season after an on-set altercation with a writer-producer.

His character was written out of the show, but his presence was still felt. In a later episode, it was revealed that his character had entered the witness protection program to protect his son. While Gibson has not returned to the series, his character’s departure and the reasons behind it were a major topic of discussion for fans.

Mandy Patinkin – Criminal Minds

Mandy Patinkin was the original star of Criminal Minds, playing Senior Supervisory Special Agent Jason Gideon. He was the head of the BAU for the first two seasons. Patinkin made the decision to leave the show abruptly before the start of the third season.

He later explained that he was uncomfortable with the dark and disturbing content of the show. Years after his departure, his character Jason Gideon was killed off-screen in a season ten episode. This brought a final, tragic end to his story within the series.

Shannen Doherty – Beverly Hills, 90210

Shannen Doherty played Brenda Walsh, one of the main characters on the hit 90s teen drama Beverly Hills, 90210. She was a central part of the show for the first four seasons. Doherty was reportedly fired from the show due to on-set conflicts with the cast and crew.

Years later, Doherty returned to the world of 90210. She reprised her role as Brenda Walsh in a recurring capacity on the spin-off series 90210. She also participated in the mockumentary-style reboot BH90210, where the original cast played heightened versions of themselves.

Connie Britton – 9-1-1

Connie Britton starred as 911 operator Abby Clark in the first season of the drama series 9-1-1. She was a fan favorite, but she had only signed a one-year contract. After her character left for Ireland at the end of the first season, her future on the show was uncertain.

Britton left the show to pursue other projects, as was her original plan. However, she made a special guest appearance in the finale of the third season. Her return provided a sense of closure for her character’s storyline with firefighter Buck.