Milly Gaines
The Netflix horror-comedy series Santa Clarita Diet did indeed switch actors for the character of Gary West, a realtor and Sheila and Joel Hammond's co-worker/competitor. For the first two seasons, Gary was played by Nathan Fillion, but in Season 3, the role was recast, and Alan Tudyk took over. The reason for Fillion's departure is unknown, but showrunner Victor Fresco explained that they loved the character and wanted to find a way to continue using him, so they decided to have his disembodied head deteriorate further and brought in a new actor to play the role.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Show Name | Santa Clarita Diet |
| Network | Netflix |
| Character | Gary West |
| Actor in Season 1 and 2 | Nathan Fillion |
| Actor in Season 3 | Alan Tudyk |
| Reason for Recasting | Unavailability of original actor |
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What You'll Learn
Nathan Fillion played Gary in seasons 1 and 2
Nathan Fillion played the character of Gary West in seasons 1 and 2 of the Netflix series Santa Clarita Diet. Fillion's character was a realtor and the co-worker/competitor of Sheila and Joel Hammond, the show's protagonists.
In the show, Gary attempts to blackmail and seduce Sheila before she kills and eats parts of him. In season 2, the Hammonds are forced to exhume his body because the location where they had dumped it is about to be turned into a building plot. While moving the body, Joel and Sheila hear him speak from his grave. Because Sheila did not kill his brain, he becomes undead, too. The couple then takes his head home and keeps it in their basement.
Fillion did not return for season 3 of the show and was replaced by actor Alan Tudyk. The reason for Fillion's departure is unknown, but sources speculate that it may be due to his busy schedule, as he was starring in The Rookie on ABC during that time.
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Alan Tudyk replaced Fillion in season 3
Alan Tudyk replaced Nathan Fillion in the role of Gary West in season 3 of the Netflix series Santa Clarita Diet. Fillion played the role for the first two seasons of the show.
In the series, Gary is a realtor and the co-worker/competitor of Sheila and Joel Hammond, played by Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, respectively. He attempts to blackmail and seduce Sheila, who is a zombie, before she kills and eats parts of him. In season 2, Joel and Sheila exhume Gary's body to move it from the initial burial spot, and they hear him speak from his grave. Because Sheila did not kill his brain, he has become undead, too. They take his head home and keep it in their basement.
Showrunner Victor Fresco explained that they were unable to get Fillion back for season 3, so they had to choose between getting rid of the character or recasting the role. Fresco said:
> "We couldn't get Nathan back, so our choices were get rid of that character or recast, and we just loved that character."
The reason for Fillion's unavailability is unknown, but it is speculated that it could be due to his busy schedule with other projects, such as his role in the ABC series The Rookie.
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Fillion was busy with The Rookie on ABC
Fans of the Netflix horror-comedy series *Santa Clarita Diet* were surprised when the actor playing the character Gary West was switched from Nathan Fillion to Alan Tudyk in season 3. Fillion, who played Gary for the first two seasons of the show, was replaced by Tudyk due to unknown reasons. One possible reason for Fillion's departure could be his busy schedule, as he was starring in the ABC series *The Rookie* at the time.
Santa Clarita Diet is a zombie comedy series that follows the Hammond family and their adventures in the real estate business and their struggles to adapt to Sheila Hammond's new undead condition and her diet of human flesh. Gary West, a realtor and Sheila's co-worker, is Sheila's first murder victim. Despite his seemingly minor role in the first season, Gary returns in season 2 as a decapitated head, kept alive by the Hammonds in their basement.
Fillion's portrayal of Gary in the first two seasons was well-received by fans, and his character's unexpected return in season 2 added a unique twist to the show. However, when it came to the third season, the showrunners were unable to bring Fillion back, leading to the recasting of the role. While the exact reasons for Fillion's unavailability are not known, it is speculated that his commitment to *The Rookie* on ABC could have been a contributing factor.
The Rookie is an ABC series that premiered in 2018 and stars Nathan Fillion in the leading role of John Nolan, the oldest rookie at the Los Angeles Police Department. The show's first season was well-received, and it was renewed for a second season, which aired from 2019 to 2020. Fillion's involvement in this series may have created a scheduling conflict with the production of Santa Clarita Diet season 3, leading to the decision to recast Gary with a new actor.
The showrunners of *Santa Clarita Diet* faced a challenging decision when they were unable to secure Fillion's return for season 3. They considered removing the character of Gary from the show but ultimately decided to recast the role with Alan Tudyk. Tudyk, known for his comedic talent and voice work, was a fan of the show and a perfect fit for the unique challenges of portraying a decapitated head. The showrunners embraced the opportunity to explore the deterioration of Gary's head and the comedic potential it offered.
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Gary's head is kept in a vase
The Netflix horror-comedy series *Santa Clarita Diet* centres on husband-and-wife real estate team Joel and Sheila Hammond. The show follows the couple as they navigate a series of obstacles after Sheila undergoes a metamorphosis, becoming undead and developing a craving for human flesh.
Gary West is a minor character on the show, a realtor and Sheila and Joel's co-worker/competitor. In the pilot episode, Sheila, who has developed a taste for human flesh, kills and eats parts of Gary. His severed finger is discovered by their neighbour, who identifies it as belonging to Gary. Joel and Sheila then have to dispose of the rest of Gary's body, burying it in the desert. However, the location where they buried him is about to be turned into a building plot, so they have to exhume him. While moving Gary's body, Joel and Sheila hear him speak from his grave. Because Sheila did not kill his brain, he has become undead, too.
As a result, Joel and Sheila take Gary's head home and keep it in a vase in their basement, and later in a storage unit. They even speak to it on occasion. Since Gary was killed by a zombie, he became one as well—or at least his head did.
For the first two seasons of the show, Gary was played by Nathan Fillion. However, Fillion was unable to return for season 3, so the role was recast, with Alan Tudyk taking over as Gary. The reason for Fillion's departure is unknown, but it is speculated that it may be due to his busy schedule, as he was also starring in *The Rookie* on ABC at the time.
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The show is a horror-comedy
Santa Clarita Diet is a horror-comedy series created by Victor Fresco for Netflix. The show follows the lives of husband-and-wife real estate agents, Joel and Sheila Hammond, whose lives take a dark turn when Sheila starts exhibiting zombie-like tendencies and develops a craving for human flesh.
The show's unique blend of horror and comedy is a key part of its appeal. In an interview, showrunner Victor Fresco commented on the natural fit between the two genres, stating that "at their core, they're both about tension". This combination of horror and comedy elements creates a tension that keeps viewers engaged and entertained.
The show's light-hearted and humorous approach to dark and gruesome subject matter is a defining feature of its tone. For example, in one scene, Sheila confesses to Joel that she ate Gary West's testicles, and in another, Joel and Sheila's daughter, Abby, discovers them trying to dispose of Gary's remains. The show also incorporates elements of mystery and suspense, such as the potentially mythological underpinnings of Sheila's condition and the Hammonds' attempts to keep it a secret from their neighbours and community.
The show's ability to blend horror and comedy is further exemplified by the character of Gary, played by Nathan Fillion in seasons 1 and 2, and by Alan Tudyk in season 3. Gary, a realtor and Sheila's co-worker, is killed and partially eaten by Sheila in the first season. However, due to the show's supernatural elements, his character returns in subsequent seasons as a disembodied head, providing opportunities for both horror and comedic moments. The decision to recast Gary in season 3, replacing Fillion with Tudyk, showcases the show's willingness to embrace the absurd and unexpected, contributing to its unique tone and style.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the role of Gary was played by Nathan Fillion in Seasons 1 and 2, and by Alan Tudyk in Season 3.
The showrunners were unable to get Nathan Fillion back for Season 3, as he was starring in another show at the time. They decided to recast the role instead of getting rid of the character, as they loved the character of Gary.
Gary was killed by Sheila, who ate him after he tried to assault her. However, he comes back as a zombie in Season 2, and his head is kept in a vase.
