Glen Powell recently disclosed that he auditioned for the role of Tim Riggins on the iconic football drama Friday Night Lights but ultimately did not secure the part, which went to Taylor Kitsch. During a conversation on the Therapuss podcast with Jake Shane on September 24, Powell reflected on his attempts to join the series, revealing the challenges he faced despite his passion for the show.
At the time of his auditions, Powell was still a high schooler, unlike many of the show’s actors who were in their mid-20s playing high school students. Glen admitted that his youthful status combined with his appearance made him less of a convincing Tim Riggins, a gritty and charismatic character. Despite these hurdles, Powell gave multiple auditions, trying out for different key roles on the series, including various quarterback parts.
Glen Powell’s Audition Experiences on Friday Night Lights
Powell described watching Taylor Kitsch’s portrayal of Tim Riggins as “iconic,” showing admiration for the Texan actor’s performance. He acknowledged that the older cast members fit the high school roles better visually and in presence. Powell said,
“Those guys were all like, mid-20s playing high school. They looked the part. I was not a cool-looking Tim Rigggins in high school even though I was playing high school football.”
Besides Tim Riggins, Powell also tried out for the quarterback characters, including J.D. McCoy, a role eventually played by Jeremy Sumpter. He revealed,
“I auditioned for two different quarterbacks, like J.D. McCoy and something else. Then I was kind of at an age where I was like, ‘OK, I could I could do this.’ And I just crashed both times.”
Recalling the experience, Glen described it as akin to an “out-of-body experience,” emphasizing the tension inherent in performing in front of a crowd while needing to stay inwardly focused. He shared,
“There’s a relaxation to acting that sort of have to have. It’s like a weird job because you’re in front of all these people and yet, it has to be very private, it has to feel very intimate. I was just so hyperaware that this was like a job that I wanted too much, and so I was aware of everybody in the room, you’re aware of all these things happening. And I just couldn’t settle into it.”
Despite not landing a role on Friday Night Lights, Powell became a dedicated viewer and fan of the series. He stated,
“I watched all of it. I loved it. I mean, it’s a brilliant show. One of the best shows ever, I think.”
Other Notable Actors Who Missed Out on Defining TV Roles
Glen Powell is not alone in narrowly missing out on roles that would later become iconic for other actors. Many performers have shared stories of auditions that almost changed the course of their careers. Below are notable examples of actors who were close but ultimately passed or lost out on significant TV parts.
Chris Pine and His Almost Role as Ryan Atwood on The O.C.
Before becoming a Star Trek star, Chris Pine auditioned for Ryan Atwood on The O.C., a role that eventually went to Ben McKenzie. Pine revealed on Josh Horowitz’s podcast Happy Sad Confused in May 2024 that skin issues affected his chances. He said,
“I had awful skin as a teenager, and then I when I came after college, my skin started breaking out again.”
Jason Biggs Regretting His Decision to Pass on Ted Mosby
The American Pie alumnus Jason Biggs opened up about turning down the role of Ted Mosby on How I Met Your Mother during a 2021 SiriusXM interview. He confessed that passing on the role is one of his biggest regrets. Biggs explained,
“I was offered the role and it’s probably my biggest regret, you know, on passing. I think I was in a phase of, at the time—it sounds so obnoxious to say right now—but at the time it was like, ‘Okay, do I want to do TV?’ I don’t know that I was quite ready to go that route.”
The Casting Twist That Left Alden Ehrenreich Without Gossip Girl’s Dan
Casting director David Rapaport revealed to Entertainment Weekly that he initially intended for Alden Ehrenreich to play Dan on Gossip Girl before Penn Badgley was cast. Rapaport noted,
“Before Penn was involved, I desperately wanted Alden Ehrenreich to play Dan,”
but the producers were concerned about Ehrenreich’s height, thinking he was too short to be Blake Lively’s love interest. Interestingly, Penn Badgley is reportedly about the same height as Ehrenreich.
Rob Lowe’s Decision to Turn Down Derek Shepherd on Grey’s Anatomy
Rob Lowe admitted in his 2014 memoir and later in Marc Maron‘s podcast that he declined the role of McDreamy, Derek Shepherd, on Grey’s Anatomy. He joked,
“That’s probably cost me $70 million. Eh, it’s just money.”
Lowe also shared his reaction after watching the pilot:
“When they started calling the handsome doctor ‘McDreamy,’ I was like, ‘yeah, that’s not for me.’”
Benedict Cumberbatch and Jessica Chastain’s True Blood Near Misses
Before Stephen Moyer was cast as Bill Compton on True Blood, Benedict Cumberbatch auditioned for the vampire role but did not get it. Similarly, Oscar-nominee Jessica Chastain read for Sookie Stackhouse, but the role ultimately went to Anna Paquin. These auditions highlight the competitive nature of casting, even for actors who later reach stardom.
Jennifer Lawrence and Tiffani Thiessen’s Missed Opportunities
At 17, Jennifer Lawrence auditioned for the part of Crystal Norris on True Blood but lost out due to her age, with Lindsay Pulsipher securing the role. In another iconic casting near miss, Tiffani Thiessen—known for Saved By the Bell and Beverly Hills, 90210—auditioned for Rachel Green on Friends but was considered too young for the part.
Katherine Langford and Kevin Williamson’s Dawson’s Creek Near Castings
Golden Globe nominee Katherine Langford almost took on Betty Cooper on Riverdale, according to star Camila Mendes, who recounted shared moments with other audition contenders. Meanwhile, creator Kevin Williamson revealed that Katherine Heigl nearly won the role of Jen Lindley on Dawson’s Creek. Williamson praised Heigl’s audition and maturity, recalling,
“She looked slightly older at that time. Even though she was younger, I just think she was more mature. She gave a great audition, I remember we were all sort of like, ‘Wow, she’s good.’”
The Role of Joey Potter Almost Went to Selma Blair
The beloved role of Joey Potter, which launched Katie Holmes’ career on Dawson’s Creek, was almost given to Selma Blair. Williamson admitted,
“I really loved Selma until, of course, I got the infamous videotape from the basement of the Holmes family in Toledo, Ohio. And when that video showed up, it changed my whole life.”
Lisa Edelstein and the Near-Miss for Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City
Lisa Edelstein, later known for House and Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce, was on the cusp of portraying Carrie Bradshaw and had a completed contract waiting. She explained,
“I was either going to do it or not. It all depended on whether she said yes, My contract was complete. I was waiting.”
Sarah Jessica Parker ultimately secured the role that has since defined her career.
Other Near Castings from Gossip Girl to The Flash
Casting director David Rapaport shared that The CW initially wanted Ashley Olsen for Gossip Girl’s Serena van der Woodsen but opted for Blake Lively after further consideration. Rapaport admitted,
“I was terrified we wouldn’t get her or they wouldn’t like her because, honestly, the show lived and died on her and I had absolutely no other ideas.”
Rumer Willis was pursued to play Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl but was eventually cast on 90210 instead. Rapaport praised her,
“I love Rumer. She’s grown into quite an amazing actress and person, but that, to me, was based on protecting the investment of a television show where creatively, these lesser-known girls really captured the essence of the show and carried it for six years.”
Keke Palmer auditioned for Iris West on The Flash, a role given to Candice Patton. Rapaport explained,
“We had seen Candice initially, but I think we were too early on in the process to cast her so we ended up testing Keke Palmer and this other girl, but they felt a little too young next to Grant [Gustin]. When he brought Candice back, it was magic.”
Iwan Rheon Nearly Landed Jon Snow on Game of Thrones
Iwan Rheon revealed to The Telegraph that he was the final contender for Jon Snow before Kit Harington claimed the role. Rheon later portrayed Ramsay Snow, one of the show’s most reviled characters. This close casting decision remains a notable “what-if” moment for fans.
Chris Pratt and the Role He Almost Played on Chuck
Josh Schwartz once intended Chris Pratt to star as Chuck on the eponymous show, but scheduling and fate led to Zachary Levi receiving the role. Schwartz noted,
“He was the first guy I wanted to play ‘Chuck’. But as fate would have it, he was destined to guard the galaxy, not the Buy More. And might I add, couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.”
Katie Holmes’ Missed Roles on Orange Is the New Black and Buffy
Holmes met with Orange Is the New Black creator Jenji Kohan early on but ultimately had other plans. Kohan remarked,
“And also in the beginning no one knew what this was.”
Holmes also nearly starred as Buffy in Buffy the Vampire Slayer but declined to focus on high school. The role went to Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Other Casting Near Misses in Television History
Several other prominent actors nearly took on roles that later defined TV shows. Lorraine Bracco was offered Carmela Soprano but declined to avoid typecasting; Taraji P. Henson auditioned for Olivia Pope on Scandal, feeling the role was destined for Kerry Washington,
“When I went in to read for Shonda Rhimes, in my mind I was like, ‘This is Kerry Washington. Why am I even in here?’”
Gillian Anderson turned down Lady Cora on Downton Abbey, a role taken by Elizabeth McGovern. Ashlee Simpson was originally the CW’s first choice for The Vampire Diaries’ Elena Gilbert, but the producers favored Nina Dobrev after reviewing her audition. Whitney Houston declined a lead role on The Cosby Show to pursue her singing career.
Dana Delany rejected Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City due to her previous involvement in sexual-themed films. Paul Shaffer was offered the role of George on Seinfeld but never responded to Jerry Seinfeld’s offer. Thomas Jane declined the lead on Mad Men, paving the way for Jon Hamm, and Ryan Reynolds passed on Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Xander, citing discomfort in playing a high school character.
The Lasting Impact of Casting Choices and Missed Roles
The stories of Glen Powell and many other actors underscore how critical casting decisions are in shaping television history and individual careers. For Powell, missing out on Friday Night Lights roles did not diminish his respect and admiration for the series, which remains highly influential in sports drama. For others, the near misses led to different paths and successes, some achieving great fame in alternate projects.
These casting near misses serve as reminders of the highly competitive nature of acting, where timing, appearance, and perception often weigh as heavily as talent. They also reveal how the dynamics of casting can pivot entire careers, leaving fans to ponder how their favorite shows might have looked under different stars.
