Jeffrey Salazar
Nathan Fillion, who played Gary West in Netflix's horror-comedy series Santa Clarita Diet, did not return for the show's third season. Fillion played a severed zombie head in season 2 of the show and was a recurring character. The actor's absence in season 3 was due to scheduling conflicts, as the show's creator explained that they couldn't get Nathan back. Fillion's character, Gary, was recast and portrayed by Alan Tudyk in the third season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for quitting | Pursuing other projects, such as "The Rookie" and "A Series of Unfortunate Events" |
| Character played | Gary West, a minor character |
| Character outcome | Killed and eaten by Sheila Hammond |
| Season(s) | 1-2 |
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What You'll Learn
Nathan Fillion played Gary West in 'Santa Clarita Diet'
Nathan Fillion played the role of Gary West in the first two seasons of the Netflix show Santa Clarita Diet. Fillion's character was a realtor who was killed by the zombie Sheila (played by Drew Barrymore) and later fed on by her. The show's creators kept Gary's head, which was stored in the Hammonds' basement and later in their storage unit, and even had it talk to the family on occasion.
Fillion's departure from the show ahead of season 3 meant that the showrunners had to make a decision about his character. Victor Fresco, the showrunner, explained that they "couldn't get Nathan back", and so they were left with the choice of getting rid of the character or recasting. They ultimately chose to recast the role, with Alan Tudyk stepping in to play the part.
Fillion's departure was likely due to his busy schedule, as he was starring in The Rookie on ABC at the time. The show's creators were clever in their explanation of Gary's change in appearance, attributing it to the deterioration that zombies experience if they don't receive the serum.
Fillion's performance as Gary West was well-received by fans and critics alike, with many praising his ability to steal every scene he appeared in. His comedic timing and delivery added to the show's humour and made his character a fan favourite.
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Fillion's character was a disembodied head in season 2
Nathan Fillion's character in Santa Clarita Diet, Gary, was indeed a disembodied head in season 2. Fillion, best known for his leading roles in "Castle" and "Firefly," played a creepy real-estate agent named Gary who gets eaten by Sheila, a zombie and undead real estate agent, in the series premiere. However, when her husband Joel forgets to destroy Gary's remains, he returns in season 2 as a disembodied head.
Fillion's character added a unique and odd element to the show, as he played a talking zombie head that doled out valuable advice and served as a makeshift friend to Joel, who was married to Sheila. Fillion himself joked about the unusual nature of his character, making puns like "Quit While You're a Head" and "The Road Ahead." Despite the challenging nature of filming his scenes, Fillion embraced the role, even suggesting a Gary-focused spin-off show.
Gary's presence as a disembodied head in season 2 brought a new dynamic to the show. His odd friendship with Joel added heart to the season, as the two formed an unlikely bond, with Joel finding a confidant in the disembodied head. Their relationship was a unique take on the traditional bromance, as they shared a connection despite the physical limitations of Gary being just a head.
Fillion's performance as the disembodied head garnered attention and praise, with some viewers finding it hilarious and a standout aspect of the show. His ability to deliver humour and create a memorable character, even in such a bizarre role, showcased his talent and versatility as an actor. Fillion's portrayal of Gary left a lasting impression, and his character's unique situation provided a source of dark comedy within the show's zombie premise.
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Fillion did not voice Gary in season 3
In an interview, showrunner Victor Fresco shared that they faced a difficult choice due to Fillion's unavailability: they could either write Gary out of the show or recast the character. The creators chose the latter option as they loved the character and wanted to continue exploring his storyline.
Fillion's character, Gary, was a realtor who was killed and eaten by the zombie Sheila (played by Drew Barrymore). Despite his death, Gary remained a part of the show as his head was stored in the basement and later in a storage unit, with the other characters occasionally speaking to it. This unique situation allowed for the recasting, as showrunner Fresco explained: "The good news is that Gary is just a decapitated head, so if it started to deteriorate more, we could have anyone play the role."
In season 3, Alan Tudyk stepped into the role of Gary, a choice that was particularly interesting to fans of Fillion's previous work. Fillion had played Mal Reynolds in the Joss Whedon series Firefly, and Tudyk had portrayed Wash, the pilot on Mal's spaceship. This swap created an intriguing dynamic for viewers familiar with their previous collaboration.
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Fillion's character was eaten by Sheila, played by Drew Barrymore
Nathan Fillion's character Gary met his demise in *Santa Clarita Diet* at the hands of Sheila, played by Drew Barrymore. Barrymore's undead real estate agent Sheila spends the show murdering and eating terrible people in Santa Clarita. Fillion's character, Gary, was a realtor and one of her victims.
Fillion's departure from the show was due to scheduling conflicts, as he was busy with another show, *The Rookie* on ABC. The creators of *Santa Clarita Diet* were faced with the challenge of either getting rid of the character or recasting, and they chose the latter. In season 3, Alan Tudyk stepped into the role of Gary, now a zombie head that is deteriorating.
The show cleverly explained Gary's change in appearance due to the lack of serum, which is necessary for zombies. The new actor playing Gary, Alan Tudyk, was also the pilot on Mal's Serenity spaceship in Joss Whedon's Firefly, in which Fillion played Mal Reynolds. This made the change a fun treat for fans of the show.
Despite Fillion's departure, his character's head continued to be a part of the show, with the Hammonds storing his head in their basement and later their storage unit, even bringing him to dinner. Fillion's comedic talent added a unique twist to the show, and his interactions with the Hammond family provided some memorable and humorous moments.
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Fillion considered a spin-off show centred on Gary
Nathan Fillion quit his role as Gary West in the Netflix horror-comedy series Santa Clarita Diet. Fillion played the role for the first two seasons of the show. In the third season, his character's appearance changed due to deterioration, and his frequent costar Alan Tudyk took over the role.
Fillion's departure from Santa Clarita Diet was due to scheduling conflicts with another show. The creators of Santa Clarita Diet considered several options, including removing Gary from the show or recasting the role. They ultimately decided to keep the character and recast the role with Alan Tudyk, who is also Fillion's frequent costar.
While there were no official plans for a spin-off show centred on Gary, the character's popularity and Fillion's performance may have sparked discussions about potential spin-off opportunities. Fillion has a history of developing and producing shows, such as The Rookie and its spin-off The Rookie: Feds. With his attachment to the Gary character and his creative involvement in other projects, it is possible that Fillion considered the potential for a Gary-centred spin-off.
Fillion's decision to leave Santa Clarita Diet may have been influenced by his interest in exploring other creative avenues, such as developing spin-offs or exploring new characters. His departure allowed him to focus on other projects and provided an opportunity for the creative team of Santa Clarita Diet to explore a new direction for the Gary character.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Nathan Fillion left the cast of Santa Clarita Diet after Season 2.
Nathan Fillion quit Santa Clarita Diet to pursue other projects, such as "A Series of Unfortunate Events".
Alan Tudyk replaced Nathan Fillion in the role of Gary West in Season 3 of Santa Clarita Diet.
Nathan Fillion played the role of Gary West, a disembodied zombie head that gives life advice to the show's protagonist, Joel.
Yes, Nathan Fillion had a lot of fun playing a disembodied head and even considered a Gary-focused spin-off show with titles like "Quit While You're a Head" and "The Road Ahead".
