We all remember the iconic Dean-Rory meet-up at Stars Hollow High, when Rory’s pile of books falls and Dean helps her pick them up. It’s one of those classic ‘Gilmore Girls‘ moments that instantly makes you smile; the shy glances, small talk, and the beginning of Rory’s first love story.
But did you know that exact scene was first filmed with a different actor before Jared Padalecki ever stepped in? That too, with 45 retakes! So, what really went wrong?
The ‘Dean’ You Never Saw On ‘Gilmore Girls’
Before ‘Gilmore Girls‘ premiered in 2000, creator Amy Sherman-Palladino and her team filmed an early version of the pilot. This version featured a very different Dean, Nathan Wetherington, who is now known for smaller TV roles, including a part in ‘True Detective.’
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Wetherington filmed the same book-dropping scene that would later become one of the show’s most loved moments. In an interview, he shared that they shot the scene about 45 times, trying to get it just right. Still, something about it didn’t quite fit. When The WB reviewed the pilot, the network felt that the tone and Dean’s character needed a change.
So, when ‘Gilmore Girls‘ was officially picked up for a full season, the creators decided to rework the pilot. That meant rewriting a few scenes, changing the tone, and, yes, recasting a few roles, including Dean.
How Jared Padalecki’s Dean Became Rory’s First Love Interest
At first, Dean was written as a more “alternative” kind of guy, someone a bit edgier, perhaps a little mysterious. They needed Dean to fit the soft, small-town charm of Stars Hollow, where everyone knew each other and life moved at a slower pace. That’s when Jared Padalecki entered the picture.
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Only 18 at the time, Padalecki had a kind, boy-next-door personality that matched perfectly with Rory’s shy, bookish nature. And instantly, Padalecki’s chemistry with Alexis Bledel felt natural right from the start, exactly what the show needed. Soon after, the new Rory-Dean meet-up was shot, and instantly, it came out to be perfect!
What Happened To The Original Actor?
As for Nathan Wetherington, losing the role was obviously disappointing. But it wasn’t the end of his career. He continued to act in small roles and even auditioned for major projects. Interestingly, he was once in the running to play Anakin Skywalker in ‘Star Wars: Attack of the Clones.’ Though he later decided to withdraw from the process, he regretted the choice.
While most of his version of Dean never saw the light of day, there are still short clips from the unaired pilot floating around online. For long-time fans like us, it’s fascinating to think what could have happened if Nathan ended up being the ultimate Dean? But can we really picture anyone else confessing his love for Rory, or building her a car in his garage? Maybe not.
Rory And Dean’s Romance And Split
Even though television recasts are absolutely common, Jared’s role as Dean gave us some of the sweetest ‘Gilmore Girls‘ moments we keep rewatching. That caring, patient, and grounded vibe, and exactly the kind of first boyfriend we all could root for.
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Sure, Rory and Dean didn’t have their ‘forever,’ and Rory went on to be with Jess and Logan, and Dean got married eventually. But in the ‘Gilmore Girls: A Year in Life,’ we again got to meet Dean. And believe it or not, the duo still had that spark somewhere. And, something in us can’t help but think, is Rory’s mystery baby Dean’s?
We may never know the answer. But what we do know is that ‘Gilmore Girls‘ wouldn’t have been the same without Jared Padalecki. Sometimes, the smallest changes behind the scenes can shape the heart of an entire show. And in this case, it gave us the Dean we’ll always remember.
