Inside the Audra McDonald-Merrin Dungey Switch
This weekend's news about the recasting of Merrin Dungey (below, left) in one of the lead roles in Private Practice, raises an interesting question of how producers plan to handle the launch of the series this fall since the pilot was actually part of a two-hour episode of Grey's Anatomy.
It might've made sense, Variety notes, to repeat that episode, or even air a cut down version of it, in the first of Private Practice this fall.
But now that Audra McDonald (pictured, right) is taking over the role of Naomi Bennett, the college pal of Kate Walsh's Addison Montgomery, that is unlikely.
There'll be no re-shooting of anything done this spring, Variety reports.
Private Practice will start with a fresh episode that finds Addison Montgomery in L.A. and into her new life at the Santa Monica wellness center inhabited by her new host of quirky co-workers. Any needed back story can be filled in with dialogue in the opening moments.
So why the Merrin Dungey-Audra McDonald swap?
It has been speculated that the chemistry between Dungey and Kate Walsh was not up to par, but Variety reports that it was also a chemistry matter - between Dungey and Taye Diggs, who plays Naomi's estranged husband Sam.
Some were having trouble buying them as a couple.
Audra McDonald, a four-time Tony winner and a Juilliard-trained singer, is known for exuding a natural strength common to great stage actresses.
But the decision to make the switch couldn't have been easy for Shonda Rhimes, creator-exec producer of Grey's Anatomy and its spinoff.
Merrin Dungey is the sister of Channing Dungey, an ABC Studios executive who oversees Grey's Anatomy for the studio and is close to Rhimes.
July 18th, 2007 7:10 PM
i liked Merrin Dungey. Watched her on Alias and liked the fact that she was in private practice.
i hope this new switch works out.
-M
:]
August 15th, 2007 8:37 AM
I liked Merrin aswell.. They should really switch it back. And I mean how can they say the chemistry isn't there ? I mean hellow it was only one episode the actors shot together...
I can understand Merrin down after all this. I really want her back on that show .. she rocks ! I hope the chemistry between Audra and the cast won't work out and that they will switch it back :D
Go Merrin !! 2-Bad we can't find any interviews of Merrin's reaction about all this ..
August 22nd, 2007 10:08 AM
oh crap! she's the sis of an ABC studio executive??! dude..mustve been hard to replace her
September 5th, 2007 9:56 PM
I am very excited to learn that Audra McDonald will be a regular on a series. My wife and I have watched Audra since she was about 11. Even a that age she was a shining star. I have never seen the other gal, but I predict that Audra will not disappoint.
Anyway, it will get me watching a network series - something I have not done on a regular basis for over 30 years.
September 26th, 2007 2:29 PM
Merrin Dungey was one of the reasons I was going to watch Private Practice. I'll watch the first episode of the season and if I don't like her replacement, i'm not watching it. Poor decision to switch her character.
September 26th, 2007 7:57 PM
I knew I wasn't seeing things when I saw the promos on tv and on print. I really like Merrin Dungey. I enjoyed her very much on "King of Queens" and "Alias". Needless to say, I'm disappointed, but I'll be watching. Maybe she ought to move to Seattle Grace or, perhaps Winsteria Lane...
September 26th, 2007 11:27 PM
after seeing the first ep, i think she fits into the character more and i can see how she and addie are best friends because they are both fiercesome in a way.... and let emotions get to them sometimes.. i didnt really feel merrin onset. she was great in alias but just wasnt right as naomi.
i'm glad it's working out better now
September 27th, 2007 12:32 AM
I was suprised to see the switch. I must say I like Dungey in the role. It will be interesting to see how a theater actor will pull off a role in a primetime series. I am all for Audra being that she is a central valley local, but I am not too sure about this switch?
September 27th, 2007 9:40 PM
BRING BACK Merrin Dungey - She is a great actress; she can do action; she can do comedy and she has a following - She would be great for this drama series and she did an awesome job in the pilot.
MANY FANS WILL NOT WATCH UNLESS YOU BRING HER BACK
PETITION STARTS NOW!!!!!
October 4th, 2007 7:02 PM
DISAPPOINTED! The switch really changed my outlook on the show. I think Merrin was phenemonal! We were really looking forward to watching the show because of her. We loved "King of Queens". Her and Diggs was more believable as a couple, not so much with Audra. The character seems so dull now. I agree that Walsh & Merrin had great chemistry in the pilot. Maybe they should listen/read to what us viewers have to say. We are the ones who make or break a show! I think we'll give it a few more episodes, maybe Audra will be able to fill the shoes of Addie's former best friend. :-(
HORRIBLE DECISION ON ABC'S PART!!!
October 6th, 2007 5:39 PM
This was a horrible call. I think Taye Diggs and Merrin Dungey had better chemistry. Perhaps, they should think of dumping Diggs for another actor.
October 6th, 2007 6:19 PM
I really love Merrin, dont see the spicey hot character that would be the best friend of Addison and the wife of Diggs in Audra. I love her as a singer, but not for this role
October 19th, 2007 3:58 PM
It was a terrible mistake to recast the role. Merrin had such better chemistry with Addison and no offense to Audra, who I'm sure is a great singer, but I actually kind of hate the Naomi character now. Just another in a long line of mistakes Shonda has made since writing last season's Grey's finale.
October 31st, 2007 9:10 PM
I loved Merrin in the role, she was the reason I was even remotely interested in watching. I've watched an episode with MacDonald, and though of course she is a wonderful actress, the role really calls for the zing of Merrin. She's a fabulous actress, very alive and present. Real. I loved her on King Of Queens. I think the show is going to suffer a great deal without her. Big Mistake.
November 17th, 2007 8:06 PM
i like the new naomi,, i love the show too and im not really that bothered cos i didnt even realise there was a switch.. Shows how much of an impression Merrin left on me!!!
November 20th, 2007 10:31 AM
I LOVE MERRIN, the Grey's/ PP episode just aired in South Africa (we're behind), and was really looking forward to Private Practice eventually hitting our shores, mostly due to the dynamic force that is Merrin Dungey!!! I love what she brought to the table AND the "chemistry" between her and Taye Diggs.
Cheat that I am, I watched an episode clip on the PP website, saw the drastic visual change in Naomi (Really not buying the whole Dell crush thing) and immediately found the site that could tell me WHY???
No offence to other actress lady, but Merrin was definitely better suited for the role of Dr. Naomi Bennet.
Suddenly I'm looking forward to Private Practice coming to South Africa a whole lot less...
December 11th, 2007 5:59 PM
Look, Audra elevates anything she is involved with and Private Practice sorely NEEDS to be given something more than it now has. ALL the characters are happening from the outside IN. It is really hard to get into and now with this strike it probably needs to be gracefully forgotten with Audra returning to the theatre where she belongs and Kate returning to Seattle and Taye becoming a tour guide at ABC.
January 2nd, 2008 1:08 PM
Huge mistake. I am a Alias fan and was so happy to see Merrin in something again. Also, a bad move not to have some kind of explanation. I started watching and was like.. who is she supposed to be? I agree with the other person that said it's less believable about surfer boy and her character now.