Dynasty casting shake-up: 5 stars who could replace Nicollette Sheridan

Nicollette Sheridan announced she’ll exit Dynasty as Alexis Carrington ahead of Season 3. Which iconic TV star could replace her? Here’s five dream castings.

Once again, Dynasty’s dynasty just got a bit smaller. After swapping in a new Cristal and bidding farewell to James Mackay as a series regular, the recently renewed reboot will lose its legendary matriarch. Nicollette Sheridan announced her imminent departure from the series, citing family obligation as her reason behind exiting the role of Alexis Carrington. But there’s a silver lining.

While it’s unlikely that Sheridan will return after her final episode when Season 2 resumes in March, the actress’ statement hinted at a potential recasting or cast addition. No one could replace Nicollette Sheridan, but whomever takes over her post must match her star quality. Who will step in as her successor?

Here are five iconic stars who could shake up the latest Dynasty shake-up.

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1. Melinda Clarke

It’s no secret that Dynasty has been a big reunion of sorts between executive producers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage and a small circle of their past shows’ standout performers. Why not keep the reunion rolling? Melinda Clarke brought the deliciously formidable Julie Cooper to life on The O.C. and was the one-time onscreen wife of Alan Dale, who now portrays Anders. Clarke could step into the role of Alexis or any new character with the requisite devilish energy fans crave.

2. Daphne Zuniga

Even though the Schwartz-Savage-verse reunions have been a blast (and would continue to be), why not pull from Melrose Place, one of the defining primetime soaps of the ’90s? More than anything, it would be exhilarating to watch Grant Show play against one of his former co-stars. Daphne Zuniga, who played Jo Reynolds and dated Show’s Jake Hanson on Melrose, hasn’t appeared in a television role since 2015’s Hindsight. Given her past work as Jo and as Brooke Davis’ tough mother on One Tree Hill, Zuniga is the perfect fit for a Carrington foil.

3. Marcia Cross

Who better to take over Alexis duties from Nicollette Sheridan than her Desperate Housewives co-star Marcia Cross? There’s a chance this bit of pipe dream casting could poke at some unspoken behind-the-scenes tension from Wisteria Lane, but an actress who once blew up a building is the whole vibe we’re looking for with a post-Alexis villain. As you’ll remember, Cross also starred with Show in Melrose Place, on which she played the unhinged Dr. Kimberly Shaw. Aside from the various connections, Cross is the undeniable TV icon of Sheridan’s caliber Dynasty needs.

4. Kelly Rutherford

You know what, just bring her back! Rutherford, who starred in Schwartz and Savage’s Gossip Girl and co-starred with Show in the fifth season of Melrose Place, recurred as the scheming Melissa Daniels in the first and second seasons of Dynasty. Even though she’s currently appearing in Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists, the future of that series isn’t set in stone. Melissa could return with secrets, have an evil twin, reveal a secret relation to Alexis — I don’t know, I’m just spitballing here. But no one has mastered the art of supporting a CW soap quite like Kelly Rutherford.

5. Elizabeth Hurley

Fans have thrown names like Madeleine Stowe into the ring for Sheridan’s successor, and while the erstwhile Victoria Grayson would fit flawlessly into the Carrington fold, her time’s take up by Netflix’s upcoming series Mixtape. However, Elizabeth Hurley, who played the fierce and feisty Queen of England for four seasons on E!’s The Royals, would make a stunning Carrington queen. On the royal drama, Joan Collins — the original Alexis Carrington — played her mother. Also, Hurley recurred on Gossip Girl in its fifth season. This one is a surefire no brainer.

Which actress do you think should be Nicollette Sheridan’s successor? Leave your picks and dream castings in the comments!

Dynasty returns on Friday, March 15 at 8/7c on The CW. Season premieres this fall.