Recast Roles In Film And TV You Didn’t Know Happened

Batman And The Strange Case Of The Catwomen

Photo Credit: ABC

In 1966, Batman premiered on ABC with a bizarre and campy take on the caped crusader. For three years (and a movie), Catwoman was one of the main villains. The problem was the show refused to let any actress make the role their own. Lee Merriweather was the first Catwoman, followed by Julie Newmar, then Eartha Kitt.

Moving from Merriweather to Newmar made sense. A movie was shot with Merriweather before the show debuted. Newmar was recast for the television show. Two years later Eartha Kitt became Catwoman. The odd thing was that Newman continued to make guest appearances on the show as other characters!