Who should have been cast as Lady Ashley?

[grant jennings]

Do we all agree that Ali McGraw was horribly miscast as Lady Ashley Mitchell?

[SnarkyOracle!]

Do we all agree that Ali McGraw was horribly miscast as Lady Ashley Mitchell?
Who do you think should have been cast instead?

Raquel Welch
Ann-Margret
Jaqueline Bisset
Jaclyn Smith
other

My understanding is that Raquel Welch, Angie Dickinson and Candice Bergen were all offered the part and turned them down.

[kevibabes]

I would have preferred Ann Margret - she had the old Hollywood look about her. She could play as bitchy as Alexis and as sweet as Krystle with her aslmost whisper of a voice.

[Ked]

I still think it would have been funny if Ashley, after Blake breaks off with her to get back with Krystle, says, "Love means ALWAYS having to say you're sorry." XD Stupid, I know, but still...

[ronald mascot]

Probably Jaclyn Smith. I think Raquel Welch and Ann-Margaret would have tried to imitate Alexis, and Diahann Carrol was already doing that, so it would have been too many on the show trying to be the same person.

The refreshing thing I like about Ali McGraw is that she doesn't come across as another Joan Collins. The funny thing is, I don't think that was on purpose, I think she TRIED to act like Alexis but FAILED so miserably, it came across as nothing like her, so through no fault of her own, she came across as different. She was still terrible, but the acting was so off-kilter, it was almost as if she wasn't even in the same scene as the people she was talking to- so that made it unusual- she almost kept you guessing there was some reason for the madness, even though there wasn't.

[gonebananas]

I voted for other.

I would have liked to see someone like Isabella Rosellini take on the role of Lady Ashley.

For those not in the know, she's Ingrid Bergman's youngest daughter. She played the part of that kinky witch in 'Death Becomes Her', and was really OTT.

Since Dynasty was known for OTT characters, she would have fit in perfectly.

[witchboy]

I voted for Raquel Welch, but really, I think that Lady Ashley was a pretty pointless character, They should have just not had the character at all imo.
Possibly a different actress could've won me over there. I feel sick just hearing the character's name I hate her so much

[AdamCarrington]

I agree, the character was pointless... They did that a lot on Dynasty. Created characters that they didnt know what to do with.

I picked Bisset, because she was and still is an incredible beauty AND a good actress! Her look is a bit like Kate O'Mara's... very cat-like.

[LukeFuller]

I would prefer... Ali McGraw. It was fun to have her on the show. Lady Ashley as a main character was more important and interesting than Lindsay, Walter Lankershim, Sarah Curtis, Tracy Kendall, Garrett Boydston, Brady Lloyd...

[Colbyco]

I voted Raquel Welch... but I would have prefered Stefanie Powers. Maybe she was too well known for her part as Jennifer Hart on "Hart to Hart" ...?

[SnarkyOracle!]

I would prefer... Ali McGraw. It was fun to have her on the show. Lady Ashley as a main character was more important and interesting than Lindsay, Walter Lankershim, Sarah Curtis, Tracy Kendall, Garrett Boydston, Brady Lloyd...

Oh, I disagree. Perhaps because MacGraw, though a nice lady by reports, simply wasn't an actress.

[witchboy]

I voted Raquel Welch... but I would have prefered Stefanie Powers. Maybe she was too well known for her part as Jennifer Hart on "Hart to Hart" ...?

I do love Stephanie Powers. She might've even managed to make that wretched role interesting. At the very least she was gorgeous to look at.

[It Was All A Dream!]

Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman,she could have dodged the bullets at the Moldiva Massacre with her braclets!

[ronald mascot]

Stefanie Powers would have been wonderful- she had so much "it" factor- loved her. She would have been perfect for one of the nighttime soaps- I guess Hart to Hart was still airing- or maybe had just finished and the by the time the nighttime soap era had ended, it was never convenient for her or she had no interest.

[willie oleson]

The whole Lady Ashley character just screamed "Lauren Hutton", no matter who played her.
I just can't escape the feeling that this part was initially written for her, or at least with Hutton in mind.

Speaking of guest stars/models: I can totally see Madleen Kane as Dexter's ex-wife.
Her face AND name would have looked fabulous in Dynasty's famous opening credits.
Actually, some people should ONLY guest-star in the opening credits.

[grant jennings]

The whole Lady Ashley character just screamed "Lauren Hutton", no matter who played her.
I just can't escape the feeling that this part was initially written for her, or at least with Hutton in mind.

Speaking of guest stars/models: I can totally see Madleen Kane as Dexter's ex-wife.
Her face AND name would have looked fabulous in Dynasty's famous opening credits.
Actually, some people should ONLY guest-star in the opening credits.

Madleen Kane?! "Forbidden Love" Madleen Kane?! Fashion model turned disco diva Madleen Kane?! I like this idea.

Speaking of fashion models turned disco divas, what about Grace Jones? She would have been a trip!

[grant jennings]

Stefanie Powers would have been wonderful- she had so much "it" factor- loved her. She would have been perfect for one of the nighttime soaps- I guess Hart to Hart was still airing- or maybe had just finished and the by the time the nighttime soap era had ended, it was never convenient for her or she had no interest.

YES!!! Stefanie Powers seems like Blake's "type", she would definitely pose a threat to Krystle. Stefanie would have brought so much more to the show than Ali McGraw.

[alexis]

Ali McGraw seems a nervous wreck on DYNASTY. When I think of lady Ashley I always think of a perscription medicated woman in out of her depth with a china cup and saucer in her hand desperately trying not to clink the china with her shaking as she nervously says her pointless doped up dialogue. All while Joan, Linda and Diahann shine.

Well shine as brightly as they possibly could in season 5.

[witchboy]

Ali McGraw seems a nervous wreck on DYNASTY. When I think of lady Ashley I always think of a perscription medicated woman in out of her depth with a china cup and saucer in her hand desperately trying not to clink the china with her shaking as she nervously says her pointless doped up dialogue. All while Joan, Linda and Diahann shine.

Well shine as brightly as they possibly could in season 5.

That's pretty much my take on things too. Ali seemed out of her depth in the part. I don't understand why she was even acting if it was that hard for her, or why she was getting work.
Those pics of Stephanie Powers are gorgeous,and she could've made the character shine.

[MildredEvans]

Oh, I disagree. Perhaps because MacGraw, though a nice lady by reports, simply wasn't an actress.

Ali MacGraw could have worked well on Dallas or even Knots Landing for that matter, but she was a total foreigner on Dynasty I have to say. And I dont like to hate on Sarah Curtis...those scenes with her finally accepting Cathy's death in the cemetery brought some tears to my eyes