There's been a huge amount of buzz surrounding Netflix's four-episode Gilmore Girls revival, with fans jumping with joy at every casting announcement and new theory. Everyone wants to know which beloved characters will return to that crazy corner of Connecticut, because Starfield is filled with unforgettable characters who will be sorely missed in the reboot. However, while it's known that all three of Rory's exes will be returning, as are Michelle and Ryan, what about some of the Gilmore Girls actors who played both characters? Will the alter egos of one or both of these actors return to Stars Hollow?
If you're a fan of Gilmore Girls , you may have noticed that the show features many actors who had small or minor roles before becoming famous, such as Adam Brody and Jon Hamm. If you're a die-hard fan, you've probably noticed that there are a few instances of the same actor playing two characters across several seasons (most notably Shailene Fenn as Anna Nardini and Jimmy's girlfriend - more on this below). This may seem weird, but hey, weirder things happen in the world of television. But what other familiar faces will fans see in dual roles on Gilmore Girls ? Here are nine actors who play two characters in the show.
1. Sherilyn Fenn as Sasha and Anna
Finn is also known for her role as glamorous teen Audrey Horne on Twin Peaks, where she also played Anna Nardini (Luke's baby mama) and Sasha (Jimmy's girlfriend). While fans loved Sasha in Jesse's backdoor pilot "Here Comes My Son," I think viewers will agree that they're less interested in a second part with Finn, who's a part of Gilmore Girls history One of the most disliked characters ever: April Nardini's mother.
2. Alex Borstein as Drela and Ms. Celine
Alex Borstein was originally cast as Sookie and was married to Jackson Douglas (aka Jackson Belleville) in real life. While the role of Sookie was eventually played by Melissa McCarthy, Borstein went on to play two characters on the series: Drela, the harpist at the Inn at the Independent, and Miss Celine, Emily Gilmore's stunning stylist. Bonus: In the episode where Jesse gets soaked in the sprinkler, Borstein also voices the scary wife on the answering machine of Lorelai's overly familiar new neighbor.
3. Sean Gunn plays Kirk and Mick
When "Guardians of the Galaxy " filmmaker James Gunn's brother Sean Gunn first appeared in the series' second episode, "Stars Hollow," his name was Mick, a DSL installer. Late in the first season, he transformed into Kirk, going from a Duce employee who had no idea who Miss Patty was to a Stars Hollow regular with a full history.
4. Marion Rose as Gran & Cousin Marilyn
TV legend and Happy Days mom Marion Ross memorably plays Richard's mother Lorelai and her niece Cousin Marilyn, a thief who Cousin Marilyn specializes in stealing family heirlooms. This double casting left many viewers a bit confused, especially during the funeral.
5. Riki Lindhome stars in Hollow High School and Juliet
Riki Lindhome, of Garfunkel and Oates fame, plays a nosy girl at Stars Hollow High who asks Roland in Season 3. Lelei asked a series of personal questions about her teenage pregnancy. Lindholm later returned as Juliet, a privileged Yale girl who never seemed to eat anything. The character she named stayed on for much longer — a full four episodes.
6. Samantha Shelton as a newlywed and bridesmaid
Samantha Shelton played bottle-toting debutante Libby in Season 2's "Introducing Lorelei Gilmore" and reprized her role as Logan's at Horner's Wedding in Season 6 Walker, one of the bridesmaids. The actor also had roles in "Bones" and "Conviction," and had a double role in "Bob's Burgers," voicing multiple characters.
7. Seth MacFarlane as Zach (The Graduation) and Bob Merriam
Lorelai's graduation geek, Zach, is the first live-action character from Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane. There's an interesting connection here; Amy Sherman-Palladino's husband, Daniel Palladino, is a writer, producer, and director on the show, as well as a showrunner on Family Guy . MacFarlane also voiced Emily Gilmore's lawyer Bob Merriam in "I Solemnly Vow" and appeared as a folk singer in the season four episode "Die, Bastard", but did not Appears in the cast.
8. Lance Barber as Hugo and the Man in the Hotel
Spotted by Reddit user Pretend Kendra, 'Young Sheldon's' Lance Barber, 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' and 'The Comeback' star in Season 2 to help set up mother-daughter fashion show The Stage Man, who later played Hugo, the online magazine editor, Rory Writes Because, in season seven.
9. Mary Lynn Rajskub as Random Actor and Troubadour
Reddit user apohermion noticed that 24 star Rajskub plays a dual role in the show. Maybe the actor in Kirk's short film and the bard looking for his big break in Stars Hollow (both played by Mary Lynn Ledjescu) are the same person? who knows? Thanks to Ms. Patty, she could be a triple threat.
Sure, you could count all of these double-takes as continuity errors, but when it comes to Gilmore Girls , I think the more the merrier.
This article was originally published on March 18, 2016. Updated on August 28, 2019. Additional reporting by Sage Young.
