Merrin Dungey Out, Audra McDonald In
In viewing the pilot for Private Practice, I was surprised to see that Audra McDonald had replaced Merrin Dungey as the character of Naomi Bennett. I’d become a fan of Dungey’s while seeing her on The King of Queens, although I know she’s also done work on Alias, Malcolm in the Middle, The West Wing, Summerland, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld and Friends, amoung others.
Don’t get me wrong, both are fine actresses, but I really thought Merrin Dungey was a better fit. McDonald, though only a year older than Dungey, appears much older on screen. I cannot picture her married to Taye Diggs’ character nor can I see the character of Dell swooning over her. I can, however, see that with Dungey. More than that, I don’t see a real BFF connection with Kate Walsh’s character and McDonald.
The only thing studio exec’s have said about the switch is that is for “creative reasons.” Which is the same as saying, “We’re not telling.” Here’s a peek at the original credits for Private Practice, showing Dungey in the cast:
Audra McDonald, Merrin Dungey, Naomi Bennett, The King of Queens, Taye Diggs, Dell, BFF, replacing Merrin Dungey, Audra McDonald joins Private Practice, onscreen chemistry, changes with Private Practice
November 18th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
[…] don’t believe her as being married to Sam. I certainly don’t get Dell having a thing for her. (I did with Merrin Dungey.) But I’m sure producers had a good reason (that falls somewhere into the realm of […]