From Meredith to McDreamy, who would play the main characters of grey's Anatomy if it was made in the UK? Here are the top contenders.
Though British TV likes its fiction outings to be pithy and really values early exits, it could take some notes from American shows like Greys Anatomy or The Big Bang Theory which not only have had historic runs but have also generated quite a lot of cash for its makers. British television has had its share of medical shows, but what if Greys Anatomy was ever remade for the English audiences?
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Wholl play Meredith? Someone from Game of Thrones or someone from the powerful female-led roster of The Crown? Also, whod play McDreamy and McSteamy? Heres re-casting the characters for the long-running medical drama, if it was remade in the UK.
Casting Meredith for the shows British remake could be tricky because her character is so intricate and complex, but The Crown star Claire Foy really should be the go-to British actor to be cast in the main lead.
By now Foy has garnered a reputation for making each role her own, especially the characters that have room for adaptability. In The Crown, for instance, she never gets carried away by what the popular opinion about Queen Elizabeth II is and devises her own techniques of emoting. In Greys AnatomyMeredith needs to be played by an actor who wont be too affected by what has already been done on American TV.
Fans and critics would probably unanimously vote in the favor of casting Idris Elba in the role of McDreamy, but its not all about his looks. Elba excels in drama-led roles and he would be able to channel the dilemmas that are part of Derek Shepherds character.
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Its also important to note that Dereks arc gets quite poignant and complex as the show progressed but it never gets tired or overwrought, so the British remake of the show would essentially need someone who has prior experience with carrying dramatic outings on their own shoulders.
Cristina Yang is one of the most interesting characters American television has ever witnessed; Sandra Ohs dazzling performance as Cristina was the reason why the role became so much more than just a best friend/ sidekick.
Owing to her popularity, the writers of the show had to slot in almost equal screen time for both the heroines on the show. And I May Destroy You star Michaela Cole is the obvious choice for playing Cristina in the British version of the show. Theres a lot of texture, angst, and volatility in the role and Coel is no stranger to playing gritty, realistic, and earthy protagonists who can hold their own in spite of not being the primary lead.
It could be hard scoring the Get Out star to sign up for a TV show -- no matter how promising -- but hed be the perfect pick to play the fan-favorite character, Jackson Avery. Jackson is primarily a great friend and ally, especially to Meredith, and they both bond over having to deal with the legacy of their parents.
But theres also a pleasant breeziness about him that makes Avery so charming and socially adaptable; if Kaluuya took up the role, fans could get a glimpse of a somewhat grittier version of the character, perhaps more drama-led.
Addisons character was one of the most well-written roles in the entire show; in fact, her character was designed to subvert the trope of the toxic ex so she was never upheld as a nemesis to Meredith. This is not to say that Addison had no flaws or personal hang-ups but the role was quite nuanced.
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Gemma Arterton would be an ideal pick to play the role of Dereks ex-wife Addison who still has feelings for her estranged husband. Arterton has proved her mettle with restrained dramatic performances and after her indie successes, would probably be up for a mainstream project.
Its pretty obvious that if George O Malleys character was written for British audiences it would be a comically driven one; the British George would perhaps be hilarious to be with and somewhat sarcastic and socially awkward. And no one plays this blend better than IT Crowd star Richard Ayoade.
The actor is known for his biting wit and comedy performances in fiction shows and panel outings and is also the director of the beloved coming-of-age film Submarine. Lets just hope the British George wont be killed off this heartlessly this time around.
The British McSteamy could really be the next big heartthrob and Homeland star Damian Lewis should probably get the role, considering hes already equipped to deal with the wide fan base. Interestingly, if a character like Mark Sloane is written for British audiences, it would probably feature some muted dark shades or an element of mystery to it.
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Lewis usually only opts for roles that are ethically ambiguous or curious and he definitely matches up to Erik Danes looks, so its win-win.
The Penny Dreadful star has a fantastic range and has explored almost every other genre from horror to sci-fi to comedy. Andrew DeLucas role has a lot of room for adding interesting textures; his struggle with mental health is already realistic and sharply portrayed.
DeLucas role isnt exactly like Dereks character, especially pertaining to their relationship with Meredith since Andrew has quite a few personal hang-ups that he is coping with simultaneously and it would be interesting to observe how Latif plays each aspect of this character.
The actor found a lot of acclaim for her role as Mustapha Mond in Hulus Brave New World and her stint in Criminal: UK was also superbly captivating.
Sosanya can really command a lot of attention on and off-screen and as interesting as Miranda Baileys role is in Greys Anatomy, British fans would probably want to see more edge to the character since shes a woman with quite a lot of influence and has often been the ethical yardstick for her colleagues.
The actor stunned audiences with his portrayal of Prince Phillip in season 4 of The Crown; though fans had presumed he had been cast to unlock some grey shades in the role, his portrayal was surprisingly compassionate, grounded, and even engaging.
Menzies usually excels in negative characters, or in morally dubious roles. Itd be interesting to see how he would play the role of Alex because Alex was introduced to be somewhat of a foil to Meredith and was the sore thumb, although not a villain in any sense. He evolves into someone really earthy and interesting who fans could relate to, and post The Crown, Menzies chances for the role look really good!
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