TV Shows That Race-Bent Heroes and Lost Original Fan Support

Television adaptations often introduce changes to the source material to create a fresh experience for the audience. One controversial method involves altering the racial identity of main characters from the original books or comics. These modifications frequently spark intense debates among longtime fans who value visual consistency with the source material. While producers often cite a desire for inclusivity some viewers feel these changes disrupt the established lore. This article lists various shows where race bending led to a measurable loss of support from the original fan base.

‘The Flash’ (2014–2023)

‘The Flash’ features Iris West as a Black woman which represents a departure from her typical depiction as a white woman in DC comics. This change was one of the first major examples of race bending in the modern superhero television era. While many fans embraced the performance others felt that the show should have remained faithful to the original character design. The discourse surrounding this casting choice persisted throughout the entire run of the series.

‘Supergirl’ (2015–2021)

James Olsen appears in this series as a tall and athletic Black man instead of the shorter white character seen in previous media. This version of the character eventually takes on the mantle of Guardian to help the titular hero. Some fans of the Superman comics found the transition difficult to accept because it changed a well known visual legacy. The show prioritized a new interpretation of the character to fit its updated narrative structure.

‘Titans’ (2018–2023)

Starfire is a prominent member of the team who is portrayed by a Black actress in this gritty live action adaptation. The character traditionally has orange skin in the comics which led to debates about how to best represent her alien heritage. Many fans voiced their concerns about the costume and hair choices during the early stages of production. Despite the initial backlash the portrayal became a central element of the superhero team dynamic.

‘The Witcher’ (2019–PRESENT)

‘The Witcher’ includes several diverse casting choices for characters like Triss Merigold and Fringilla Vigo. These decisions differed from the descriptions found in the original books by Andrzej Sapkowski. Fans of the book series and the video games often compared the television versions to the established source material. The resulting controversy highlighted the challenges of adapting beloved fantasy literature for a global audience.

‘Velma’ (2023–PRESENT)

‘Velma’ reimagines the titular character as South Asian and provides new ethnic backgrounds for the rest of the Mystery Inc gang. The series received significant pushback from audiences who felt the changes were unnecessary for such iconic figures. Many viewers expressed their frustration through low audience scores on various review platforms. The show leaned into these changes despite the vocal disapproval from the original fan base.

‘House of the Dragon’ (2022–PRESENT)

‘House of the Dragon’ features the Velaryon family as Black characters which is a change from their Valyrian descriptions in the books. Author George R.R. Martin supported the change but some fans argued it contradicted the established genealogy of the world. The series used the visual distinction to help viewers differentiate between the various noble houses. This creative choice remains a topic of discussion among enthusiasts of the fantasy epic.

‘The Wheel of Time’ (2021–PRESENT)

‘The Wheel of Time’ cast a diverse group of actors to play the youths from the Two Rivers which was traditionally seen as an isolated ethnic pocket. Characters like Egwene and Nynaeve were given different backgrounds than many readers had pictured for decades. Some fans felt this broke the internal logic of the world building regarding isolated villages. The production team focused on creating a cast that reflected a more global perspective.

‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ (2023–PRESENT)

‘Percy Jackson and the Olympians’ cast a Black actress as Annabeth Chase who is described as having blonde hair and gray eyes in the novels. This decision led to a wave of online criticism from readers who wanted a book accurate portrayal. Rick Riordan defended the casting by stating that the actress captured the spirit of the character perfectly. The show continues to move forward with this new vision of the heroic trio.

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ (2022–PRESENT)

‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ introduced diverse actors to play elves and dwarves which were historically depicted as white in the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Characters like Arondir and Princess Disa became points of contention for fans who value strict adherence to the author descriptions. The production team defended their choices by stating that the fantasy world should reflect the modern world. This disagreement created a divide between new viewers and traditionalist fans of the franchise.

‘Cowboy Bebop’ (2021)

‘Cowboy Bebop’ featured a live action version of Jet Black played by a Black actor which was a change from the original anime. While the performance was often praised some fans felt the adaptation overall failed to capture the essence of the source material. The show was canceled after only one season following lukewarm reviews and audience backlash. This serves as an example of how changing iconic character traits can impact the longevity of a reboot.

‘Fate: The Winx Saga’ (2021–2022)

‘Fate: The Winx Saga’ faced criticism for the casting of characters like Flora and Musa who were inspired by specific ethnicities in the original cartoon. Fans noticed that the live action versions did not reflect the diverse roots of the animated fairies. The production eventually introduced a more accurate version of Flora in the second season to address these concerns. However the initial disappointment from the fan base lingered until the series was discontinued.

‘Resident Evil’ (2022)

‘Resident Evil’ cast Lance Reddick as Albert Wesker who is traditionally a white villain in the video game series. Fans of the franchise were surprised by the change to such a legendary character in the survival horror genre. The show attempted to explain the change through its own unique plot involving clones. Despite the veteran actor strong performance the series struggled to retain the interest of longtime fans and was canceled.

‘Interview with the Vampire’ (2022–PRESENT)

‘Interview with the Vampire’ reimagines Louis de Pointe du Lac as a Black man living in early twentieth century New Orleans. This change allows the show to explore themes of race and power that were not present in the original Anne Rice novel. While critics praised the new direction some fans of the book felt the departure from the eighteenth century setting was too drastic. The series has managed to find a new audience while still debating its changes with the old one.

‘Shadow and Bone’ (2021–2023)

‘Shadow and Bone’ made the lead character Alina Starkov half Shu which is the equivalent of Asian in the Grishaverse. This change was intended to add depth to her journey as an outsider within her own country. Some readers felt the modification changed the core of the story in ways they did not expect. The series balanced these new elements with a heavy reliance on the original plot points from the books.

‘One Piece’ (2023–PRESENT)

‘One Piece’ changed the ethnicity of characters like Nojiko in the live action adaptation on Netflix. While the main cast was praised for their accuracy some side characters sparked debate regarding their visual representation. The creator of the manga was heavily involved in the production to ensure the spirit of the world remained intact. Most fans accepted the changes because the overall quality of the adaptation was high.

‘The Sandman’ (2022–PRESENT)

‘The Sandman’ featured a Black actress as Death which is a character traditionally shown as a pale goth woman. Neil Gaiman defended the casting by reminding fans that the Endless can take any form they choose. While the performance was widely celebrated a vocal minority of fans expressed disappointment over the visual shift. The show has successfully moved into its second season despite these early complaints.

‘Foundation’ (2021–PRESENT)

‘Foundation’ changed the gender and race of several key characters from the Isaac Asimov book series. Gaal Dornick and Salvor Hardin are both portrayed by Black women in the television adaptation. Many fans of the classic science fiction novels felt the show moved too far away from the original concepts. The production team argued that the updates were necessary to modernize a story written in the middle of the last century.

‘Troy: Fall of a City’ (2018)

‘Troy: Fall of a City’ cast a Black actor as Achilles which sparked a massive historical and mythological debate. Many viewers argued that the choice was not historically accurate for a story set in ancient Greece. Others pointed out that the Iliad is a work of fiction and allows for creative interpretation. The show received a significant amount of negative attention from audiences who preferred a traditional look for the legendary hero.

‘Vikings: Valhalla’ (2022–2024)

‘Vikings: Valhalla’ introduced Jarl Haakon as a Black woman who ruled over the Viking city of Kattegat. This was a significant departure from historical records which describe Haakon as a white male ruler. Fans of historical accuracy criticized the show for prioritizing diversity over the actual history of the Norse people. The series concluded its run after exploring this unique interpretation of the Viking era.

‘The Last of Us’ (2023–PRESENT)

‘The Last of Us’ cast a Black actress to play Sarah Miller who is the daughter of the main character Joel. While the role is relatively small it is pivotal to the emotional foundation of the story. Some fans of the video game noted the change but most were satisfied with the emotional weight of the performance. The show has been highly successful and continues to be a major hit for its network.

‘Charmed’ (2018–2022)

‘Charmed’ rebooted the story of the three sisters with a new Latina cast to provide a different cultural perspective. Fans of the original series were divided on whether the show should have followed the original Halliwell family. The reboot focused on modern themes and social issues that were not as prevalent in the nineties version. It managed to run for four seasons before coming to an end.

‘Smallville’ (2001–2011)

‘Smallville’ cast a Black actor as Pete Ross who is typically a white character in the Superman comics. This was an early example of modern television updating a character background for a more diverse cast. At the time some fans were surprised but the change did not cause the same level of digital backlash seen today. The character remained a part of the show for several years before being written out.

‘Nancy Drew’ (2019–2023)

‘Nancy Drew’ changed the race of Ned Nickerson to Black in this modern supernatural take on the classic mystery stories. The show also gave him a more complex backstory involving a criminal record which was a shift from his wholesome image. Some fans of the original books felt the changes to the core cast were too extensive. The series maintained a dedicated following for four seasons despite these early criticisms.

‘Riverdale’ (2017–2023)

‘Riverdale’ reimagined several Archie Comics characters including Josie and the Pussycats and Reggie Mantle. The show prioritized a diverse and edgy aesthetic that differed significantly from the wholesome comics of the past. While younger audiences enjoyed the new direction some older fans missed the classic look of the characters. The series became a pop culture phenomenon that leaned heavily into its reimagined world.

‘Gotham’ (2014–2019)

‘Gotham’ introduced a female version of Firefly and changed the backgrounds of various other comic book heroes and villains. The show was known for taking major liberties with the Batman mythos to create its own unique prequel story. Some fans were frustrated by the constant changes to established lore while others enjoyed the unpredictability. It successfully completed its planned five season arc.

‘Walker’ (2021–2024)

‘Walker’ introduced Micki Ramirez as one of the first female and Mexican American Texas Rangers in the franchise history. This was a change from the original series which focused primarily on the character played by Chuck Norris. Fans of the original show had mixed reactions to the new partner dynamic and the focus on modern policing issues. The series was a staple of its network for several years before its recent conclusion.

‘Roswell, New Mexico’ (2019–2022)

‘Roswell, New Mexico’ updated the lead character Liz Parker to Liz Ortecho to reflect the Latinx heritage of the border town. This change was closer to the original book series but differed from the popular nineties television show. The series used this change to explore relevant political and social themes regarding immigration. Some fans of the first show found it difficult to connect with the new version of the characters.

‘True Blood’ (2008–2014)

‘True Blood’ changed Tara Thornton from a white character in the books to a Black character in the series. The show also gave her a much larger and more tragic role than she had in the source material. While the performance was a standout for many some fans of the novels were unhappy with the direction her character took. The show remains a landmark of the vampire genre despite these creative deviations.

‘Perry Mason’ (2020–2023)

‘Perry Mason’ reimagined the character Paul Drake as a Black police officer struggling with the systemic racism of 1930s Los Angeles. This was a major shift from the original books and the classic television series where the character was white. The new version added a layer of historical realism and tension to the investigative process. Some traditional fans preferred the simpler dynamic of the original show.

‘The Umbrella Academy’ (2019–2024)

‘The Umbrella Academy’ cast a diverse group of actors to play the Hargreeves siblings who are more visually similar in the original comics. Allison Hargreeves is played by a Black actress which added new dimensions to her character arc as a celebrity. Fans of the graphic novels mostly supported the changes due to the quirky and surreal nature of the show. The series has become one of the most popular offerings on its streaming platform.

‘Batwoman’ (2019–2022)

‘Batwoman’ featured several race bent characters from the DC universe including Luke Fox and various villains. The show focused heavily on representation and modern social issues within the context of Gotham City. This approach led to a polarized response from the superhero fan base on social media. Despite the debates the show explored many unique corners of the DC world during its three seasons.

‘The Boys’ (2019–PRESENT)

‘The Boys’ changed the race of A-Train from white in the comics to Black in the television series. This change allowed the show to explore the commercialization of race and identity within the corporate superhero world. Most fans appreciated the change as it added more depth to the character motivation and conflicts. The series is widely considered one of the best comic book adaptations currently airing.

‘Preacher’ (2016–2019)

‘Preacher’ cast a Black actress as Tulip O’Hare who is a white blonde woman in the original graphic novels. The showrunner argued that the actress captured the volatile and energetic spirit of the character better than anyone else. Some fans were initially skeptical but the chemistry between the lead actors helped win over many viewers. The series concluded its run after four seasons of supernatural mayhem.

‘American Gods’ (2017–2021)

‘American Gods’ expanded the roles of various characters and changed their backgrounds to fit a more modern setting. The show dealt with the concept of gods being shaped by the people who believe in them which justified various casting choices. Some fans of the Neil Gaiman novel felt the show lost its way during the later seasons. The series was eventually canceled before it could complete the full story.

‘The Watch’ (2021)

‘The Watch’ was a loose adaptation of the Discworld novels that changed the race and gender of several iconic characters. Sybil Ramkin and various members of the City Watch were reimagined in ways that fans of Terry Pratchett found unrecognizable. The show faced an uphill battle with a fan base that felt the spirit of the books had been ignored. It did not return for a second season following the negative reception.

‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)

‘Game of Thrones’ featured Xaro Xhoan Daxos as a Black man from Quarth instead of the pale character described in the novels. This was a relatively minor change compared to later fantasy shows but it still noted by readers of the series. The show frequently modified character descriptions to fit the diverse cast they assembled for the global production. Most viewers were focused on the larger political drama of the Seven Kingdoms.

‘Masters of the Universe: Revelation’ (2021)

‘Masters of the Universe: Revelation’ introduced a Black version of the character Andra who was originally a white character in the comics. The show also shifted the focus away from He-Man for a large portion of the story which upset many longtime fans. This combination of changes led to a significant amount of online backlash against the series creator. The show continued with a second part that attempted to address some fan concerns.

‘Cursed’ (2020)

‘Cursed’ reimagined the Arthurian legend by casting a Black actor as Arthur and focusing on the Lady of the Lake. This fresh take on the classic mythology was intended to appeal to a younger and more diverse audience. Some viewers felt that the changes to such a foundational British legend were unnecessary. The show was canceled after its first season on the streaming platform.

‘The Letter for the King’ (2020)

‘The Letter for the King’ adapted a famous Dutch novel and changed the ethnicity of several main characters to be more inclusive. The show moved away from the traditional medieval European setting to a more fantasy oriented world. Fans of the original book were often disappointed by the changes to the plot and character dynamics. The series did not manage to capture a large enough audience for a renewal.

‘Bridgerton’ (2020–PRESENT)

‘Bridgerton’ uses a colorblind casting approach to reimagine Regency era London as a diverse and integrated society. Characters like the Duke of Hastings and Queen Charlotte are portrayed by Black actors in a move that departs from historical accuracy. While the show is a massive hit some fans of historical fiction found the alternate history difficult to enjoy. The series continues to be one of the most successful romantic dramas on television.

Please share your thoughts on these casting changes and how they impacted your favorite shows in the comments.