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You Won’t Believe Why Jared Padalecki STOLE the Role of Dean from This Actor in Gilmore Girls

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For quite some time, fans have debated about who Rory’s best boyfriend was, not knowing that another actor might have filled the role on the show. Before Gilmore Girls became the beloved series we all know today, there was an unaired pilot that presented different versions of Dean and Sookie, two popular characters from the series. This early version of the Gilmore Girls beginnings was later found online, and fans were surprised to learn that Dean was initially portrayed by Nathan Wetherington, known for his roles in Cruel Intentions 3 and True Detective.

Sometimes, TV shows create a pilot episode that isn’t initially broadcasted. As creators try to sell their show, they might need multiple attempts before getting approval. During the early development of Gilmore Girls, it’s probable that the creators had to modify certain elements based on suggestions from focus groups and executive producers. This led to numerous alterations, such as selecting Nathan Wetherington to play Dean in the final version, a choice that appears to have been successful.

Why Was Dean Forester Recast in Gilmore Girls?

Jared Paladecki Officially Played Dean Forester

It appears there isn’t any publicly available information about why Jared Padalecki was initially replaced by Nathan Weatherington as Dean in Gilmore Girls, but it’s possible that Weatherington didn’t receive positive feedback during focus group tests. In an interview, Weatherington shared that he first learned the show had been picked up with a letter, followed shortly by another letter informing him his character would be recast. Given the unfavorable audience response to Weatherington’s portrayal of Dean in the un-aired pilot, it seems like the decision to replace him was justified.

In just one scene featuring Weatherington as Dean, it’s when Rory drops her books at high school and encounters the boy – this is the only instance where he appears as Dean throughout the series. Although the dialogues in both the unaired pilot and the official episode are quite similar, the actors portray distinctly different emotions during these scenes. While Padalecki’s Dean exudes a mix of shyness, charm, and genuine interest towards Rory, Weatherington’s portrayal seems more detached and indifferent. Although Weatherington’s version of Dean is meant to be awkward, he still manages to convey an unconventional kind of charm, while his portrayal appears a bit aloof compared to Padalecki’s performance.

Besides being 25 years old when Gilmore Girls premiered, making him seven years older than Alexis Bledel, Weatherington didn’t seem to fit the part of a high school student convincingly, particularly next to Bledel, who convincingly portrayed a younger girl. Conversely, Jared Padalecki was 18 during the show’s airing, which made him believable as a teenager since he actually was one at that time. It’s possible that their age compatibility played a role in creating the excellent on-screen chemistry between Bledel and Padalecki, something that didn’t seem to shine through in Weatherington’s scenes. This combination of factors may have led the Gilmore Girls production team to ultimately choose Padalecki for the role of Dean instead of Weatherington.

It appears that the filming process appeared somewhat awkward for Weatherington, possibly due to numerous challenges he faced during the shooting of this particular scene. As Weatherington shared, it required at least 45 takes to perfect the scene, mainly because Rory’s books needed to fall in a specific way. Furthermore, he expressed discomfort with the transformation he experienced from the makeup department, admitting that he felt “unsettled in his own skin,” which certainly came across on screen. To add to his discomfort, a camera operator accidentally struck Weatherington’s face with his knuckles, further escalating the tension on set. All told, it’s evident that Weatherington struggled to fully immerse himself in his character, and this struggle was noticeable in his only scene.

Interestingly, many Gilmore Girls fans speculate that Weatherington might have been an excellent choice for a younger Christopher, Rory’s father. They argue that Weatherington bears a striking resemblance to David Sutcliffe, and this similarity could explain why Lorelai describes Dean as looking like a young Christopher, which causes her fear of him. The scene has often left viewers perplexed because Padalecki doesn’t look like Sutcliffe at all. However, it’s possible that the scene was intended to feature Weatherington.

Wetherington also tried out for the role of another famous teen character from the 2000s, Seth Cohen in “The O.C.”, but it’s evident that Adam Brody was the ideal choice. If Wetherington had been selected instead, Brody might have remained on “Gilmore Girls” until its conclusion, which would have delighted the fanbase. It’s intriguing to consider how different the acting landscape of that era could have been if these events had transpired. Perhaps now, fans would be discussing the possibility of Seth Cohen being portrayed by the actor who played David on “Gilmore Girls”, a concept that seems almost unimaginable.

What Happened to Dean in Gilmore Girls?

Jared Padalecki Obtained the Role of Sam Winchester in Supernatural

Interestingly, it might seem counterintuitive that Jensen Ackles, who played Dean in Gilmore Girls, eventually found fame from his role in Supernatural, given that he was initially known for the latter series. However, Ackles’ portrayal of Dean in Gilmore Girls caused some reservations among the Supernatural producers when considering him for a horror show. This is because Ackles had previously played a less intelligent character on Gilmore Girls, which contrasted with the creators’ original vision for Sam Winchester as being smart. However, Ackles’ agent successfully persuaded them to give him a chance, and he proved his intellectual capabilities in Supernatural.

Subsequently, it was necessary for him to leave Gilmore Girls as he wasn’t able to maintain a regular role. Occasionally, he made appearances in minor storylines, but this arrangement didn’t work out. Consequently, Dean’s relationship with Rory became complicated, leading to her romantic involvement with Jess (portrayed by Milo Ventimiglia). This shift in dynamics also resulted in less focus on Dean within the series. Padalecki made a brief return to Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, where he informed Rory that she could publish their story and shared that he was content in his married life.

The Original Gilmore Girls Pilot Had Huge Differences

Alex Borstein Was Going to Play Sookie Instead of Melissa McCarthy

In the initial version of the unbroadcast Gilmore Girls pilot, Alex Borstein, famously known for her character in Amy Sherman-Palladino’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, was intended to portray Sookie St. James. However, by the time the series officially got greenlit, Borstein had other commitments and couldn’t take on the role. Although Borstein is a fantastic actress, it turned out that McCarthy was better suited for the part based on her acting range.

In a different rendition: McCarthy captures Sookie’s unique, zesty, and whimsical character exceptionally well. From the initial unbroadcast pilot, it appears that Sookie was always intended to be this way, as evidenced by her dialogue. Unfortunately, Borstein found it challenging to portray that particular vibe. If Borstein had played Sookie, the writers might have been compelled to make her more sarcastic or with a darker wit. This would have significantly altered the relationship between her and Lorelai. McCarthy, on the other hand, seems to embody the role perfectly.

I was fortunate enough to bring a rich tapestry of characters to life within the world of Gilmore Girls. Among them were Miss Drella, the harpist at Lorelai’s workplace; Miss Celine, Emily’s quirky fashion consultant; and Doris, Dwight’s wife who left messages on his machine. It’s surprising to many that these diverse roles were played by the same talented actress – none other than Alex Borstein. Furthermore, my connection to the production ran even deeper, as my husband, Jackson Douglas, graced the screen as Jackson in the show.

Observing the preliminary version titled “Gilmore Girls” offers viewers a peek into the series’ developmental phase. Originally slated as “The Gilmore Girls,” it underwent a change similar to how Rory modifies her script during the culmination of “A Year in the Life“. This subtle reference in “Gilmore Girls” is one that avid fans might catch.

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2025-04-19 20:51

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