10 Gender-Flip Castings That Turned Out Great

Casting the right actor in an important role is one of the most important decisions that a movie or TV show can make. How this actor brings the character to life and their chemistry with the other actors is just as important as the story they’re telling. Over the years, the film industry has been more open to gender-flipped casting, which sees performers of different genders take on roles initially written for or acted by someone of a separate identity. In some cases, gender-swap recasts improve upon the original movie or TV show, creating exciting opportunities for the story.

Most gender-swapped casting in movies and TV involves women stepping in to play roles traditionally portrayed by men.

Most gender-swapped casting in movies and TV involves women stepping in to play roles traditionally portrayed by men. While there are some exceptions, more often than not, the history of cinema, and art in general, sees men being given more complex and high-profile roles while female characters are secondary. It’s exciting to see more women be cast in prominent projects and make these characters their own, it reminds audiences and filmmakers that what the industry needs is more original roles written explicitly for women and gender-non-conforming actors. However, it still can be fun to see gender-swapping playing out onscreen.

10 Katee Sackhoff As Starbuck – Battlestar Galactica (2004–2009)

This imposing warrior becomes a complex character due to Sackhoff

The original Battlestar Galactica only aired for a single season in 1978, but the 2004 revival proved to be a worthy successor. Though the visual effects needed updating, there was plenty more that the recent Battlestar Galactica expanded upon. Most of the recurring characters in the series were part of the crew of the military ship that represented the last of humanity’s hope against the Cylons. Starbuck, a Lieutenant and later Captain of the ship was originally played by a man in 1978, but Katee Sackhoff was the perfect choice to revitalize the role.

Starbuck was played by Dirk Benedict in 1978, but it didn’t take long for the new series to realize that diversity in casting and storytelling was necessary for the new version of the story.

Starbuck was played by Dirk Benedict in 1978, but it didn’t take long for the new series to realize that diversity in casting and storytelling was necessary for the new version of the story. Sackhoff brings Starbuck’s character to new levels, as the 2004 iteration gave the role more to do and incorporated storylines about her importance in the crew finding Earth and saving the human race. This character was often defined by their abilities and fearsome attitude. However, Sackhoff brings new depth to this archetype.

9 Lucy Liu As Watson – Elementary (2012–2019)

Watson remains Sherlock’s partner in crime in this updated casting choice

There have been many adaptations of the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his iconic crime-solving duo, Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. More often than not, two men have always played these roles in the books, but the network crime TV show Elementary flipped the script by casting Lucy Liu as Watson. She’s joined by Johnny Lee Miller as Sherlock, and the pair have strong chemistry. However, Watson is frequently the hero of the day, saving Sherlock from himself and providing valuable insight with her medical expertise.

The new Young Sherlock TV show is confirmed, but Watson won’t initially be a character in the stories that the series is adapting. However, it will incorporate some gender-swapped casting as Natascha McElhone will play Moriarty. This is similar to Elementary, as the series also cast a woman in Moriarty’s role, Natalie Dormer. Liu makes the character of Watson her own in the series, and she holds her own against the changeable Sherlock and aligns with the show’s modern setting.

Jude Law and Martin Freeman play Watson in other adaptations.

8 Judy Dench As M – The James Bond Franchise

Dench was so iconic in her role, it’s difficult to imagine another M at MI6

The first movie that featured Dame Judi Dench in the role of M, the head of MI6, was Goldeneye, with Pierce Brosnan playing Bond. However, it was even more revolutionary to see her in Casino Royale, the first film during Daniel Craig’s tenure as Bond, as she’s one of the few actors who have maintained their role across multiple eras. Of course, it would have been inconceivable to waste Dench on just one film, as her turn as M has become the defining performance of the recent Bond iterations.

For a long time,
Bond
films were defined by their sexism and terrible treatment of women, and while casting Dench didn’t erase this history, it was a step in the right direction.

After Dench’s M was killed in Skyfall, Ralph Fiennes stepped in to take over, but the absence of Dench was felt in both Spectre and No Time to Die, which would be Craig’s final film. Seeing women in prominent positions of power is hugely important in cinema and even more crucial in a franchise like James Bond. For a long time, Bond films were defined by their sexism and terrible treatment of women, and while casting Dench didn’t erase this history, it was a step in the right direction.

7 Helen Mirren As Prospera – The Tempest (2010)

Shakespeare adaptations have been known to play with gender in casting for many years

In the Shakespearean age, plays like The Tempest wouldn’t have included any female actors on stage, as it was illegal for a woman to perform in the theater. Though much has changed since that time, the fact that Shakespeare was already playing with the dynamics of gender in his works lends itself to gender-swapping in modern adaptations. In plays like Twelfth Night, Shakespeare has the characters disguise themselves as different genders. However, the 2010 The Tempest expands on this by casting Helen Mirren as Prospero, now Prospera.

Mirren easily steps into the traditionally male role, imbuing it with renewed passion and anger. Prospera’s life and titles are ripped from her because of her position as a woman. This also deepens the dynamic between Prospera and her daughter, Miranda, who later falls for the son of Prospera’s usurper. There are few actors, regardless of gender, who are as well-equipped to take on a film iteration of Shakespeare, and Mirren proves that Prospera is just as compelling as Prospero.

6 Rosalind Russell As Hildy – His Girl Friday (1940)

Romance and witty banter make Russell the perfect foil to Cary Grant

Though Cary Grant was known for his movies with Katharine Hepburn, his collaboration with Rosalind Russell in His Girl Friday is one of the definitive screwball comedies of its time. However, in the original play and early film version, The Front Page, the character of Hildy isn’t Watler’s ex-wife but his friend and ally in the newspaper business and a man. Fortunately, the story of The Front Page works even better with Hildy as a woman because it adds a never-before-seen layer to the relationship.

His Girl Friday
pushed boundaries in the way Hildy was characterized as just as talented and important to the newspaper business as Walter.

The fresh dynamic is full of tension and longing between Walter and Hildy and makes the witty dialogue of the screwball all the more entertaining. His Girl Friday pushed boundaries in the way Hildy was characterized as just as talented and important to the newspaper business as Walter. Seeing a woman in a newsroom was unusual for 1940, but Russell was an amazing choice, as her dominating presence justifies her position. The movie remains a classic of the genre and one of Grant and Russell’s best-remembered works.

5 Parker Posey As Dr. Smith – Lost In Space (2018–2021)

Indie-darling Posey takes on the sci-fi genre in this rebooted TV show

When Netflix rebooted Lost in Space in 2018, the streamer promised that the new story would differ from the 1960s TV series of the same name that it’s based on. Not only were better visual effects and interesting new storylines included, but a new actor embodied the role of Dr. Smith. Parker Posey made her name on smaller indie films like Party Girl and Best in Show, typically taking on comedic roles. However, she was an ideal candidate to take over as Dr. Smtih in the Netflix Lost in Space.

In the original show, Dr. Smith was played by Jonathan Harris, and both Harris and Posey brought unique perspectives to the role. However, Posey’s Smith has the added layer of stealing the identity of Dr. Smith while still being the reason that the Robinsons are sent off course. Though it only ran for three seasons, Lost in Space was part of the sci-fi renaissance on TV and allowed Posey to expand into further genre work.

4 Tanner Buchanan As Cameron – He’s All That (2021)

Based on the 1990s classic rom-com, He’s All That makes important updates

She’s All That, the 1999 rom-com starring Freddie Prinze Jr. and Rachael Leigh Cook, served as the inspiration for He’s All That, a gender-bent teen comedy with a similar premise. However, in the recent version, the popular jock guy doesn’t makeover the shy outcast girl, but just the opposite. Addison Rae plays Padgett, the queen of her high school who falls from grace and takes on Cameron, Tanner Buchanan, as her latest project, convinced she can rebrand him into prom king material.

Most of
He’s All That
unfolds the same way as
She’s All That
, with Padgett and Cameron growing closer and their connection hitting a rough patch when Cameron finds out he’s the source of a bet.

Most of He’s All That unfolds the same way as She’s All That, with Padgett and Cameron growing closer and their connection hitting a rough patch when Cameron finds out he’s the source of a bet. While it’s refreshing to see a woman in a position of power in a teen movie, the rom-com still adheres to many of the same tropes as the original. However, both Rae and Buchanan proved themselves as rising Hollywood stars and worthy successors of the first film’s legacy.

3 Masali Baduza As Michaela – Bridgerton (2020–Present)

This change opens new doors for Bridgerton to tell an exciting new love story

Audiences will have to wait a little longer before the next installment of Francesca’s love story unfolds in Bridgerton season 4. Fans of the book know that Francesca marries John Stirling only for him to pass away and for her to form a connection with his cousin, Michael. However, Bridgerton has set up an important change by altering the character to be Michaela, played by Masali Baduza. Though they had only recently met, sparks were flying between Francesca and Michael, hinting at good things ahead.

There will still be parts of Francesca’s book story that Bridgerton keeps despite the Michaela gender swap, but it’s crucial that Bridgerton incorporates this LGBTQ+ story into the narrative. While it remains unknown how the show will handle the change, it’s already a good plan because the series has been criticized for shying away from including diversity in sexuality and gender in its narratives. Having Francesca discover her true feelings for Michaela in the coming seasons will be just as lush and romantic as every other love story.

2 Aya Cash As Stormfront – The Boys (2019–Present)

One of the comics and TV show’s primary antagonists became even more sinister

The Boys gender-swaps several characters from the comics, including Stormfront, played by Aya Cash in the show. In the comics, Stormfront has the same evil ways and terrifying powers but is a man named Klaus Risinger. Seeing a woman in an antagonist role in The Boys is a refreshing change, as the biggest villain of the series is Homelander, but the secondary villains are just as important to the development of the show. While she doesn’t end up being as difficult to defeat as Homelander, she opens the characters’ eyes to the true evil of Vought.

Making their dynamic a partnership rather than a rivalry added more intrigue to the show.

While there are plenty of great female characters in The Boys, the story predominantly focuses on men, as the title suggests. Making small changes in the gender of more minor roles, like Stormfront, subtly alters the character dynamics in the show, especially because Stormfront has a romantic relationship with Homelander. Making their dynamic a partnership rather than a rivalry added more intrigue to the show. It made their relationship unique since most characters are trying to take Homelander down.

1 Scott Patterson As Luke Danes – Gilmore Girls (2000–2007)

Had Luke’s character not been changed, Gilmore Girls would be unrecognizable

It’s difficult to imagine Gilmore Girls without the gruff diner owner with a heart of gold, Luke Danes. Played by Scott Patterson for all seven seasons and the revival, A Year in the Life, Luke was Lorelai’s primary love interest and a father figure for Rory over the years, proving himself to be a good, if flawed, guy many times over. Patterson easily kept up with the lightning-fast quips and pace of Gilmore Girls while being a grounding force for the titular Gilmores throughout the show.

Amy Sherman-Palladino originally wrote Luke’s character as a woman named Daisy, which would have changed the dynamic of the series completely (via EW). Gilmore Girls is a rare case in which the TV series was already full of strong and complex female characters, leaving room for an additional male role in Luke. The theoretical Daisy and Lorelai likely would’ve had strong comedic chemistry, but since the show rarely incorporated LGBTQ+ characters, none of the romantic tension would have blossomed between them the way it did for Luke and Lorelai.