Unraveling the Mystery: The Recasting of Frank Langella in The Fall of the House of Usher
Discover the unexpected twist behind the recasting of Frank Langella in Mike Flanagan's The Fall of the House of Usher Uncover the intriguing reasons that led to this pivotal decision in the midst of filming
During the middle of shooting The Fall of the House of Usher, Mike Flanagan had to recast the main patriarch. But why? Flanagan has made a name for himself as Netflix's master of horror television, with hits like Haunting of Hill House, Haunting of Bly Manor, and Midnight Mass. His latest Netflix show, The Fall of the House of Usher, has also garnered critical acclaim.
Fall of the House of Usher, a Flanagan Netflix production based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe, follows the story of siblings Roderick and Madeline Usher who have built a pharmaceutical empire filled with wealth, privilege, and power. However, dark secrets emerge as the heirs of the Usher dynasty begin to die. The series faced challenges during production, particularly due to the need to recast lead star Frank Langella, an Oscar nominee, midway through filming.
Why was Frank Langella recast in The Fall of the House of Usher?
The original actor who portrayed the character Roderick Usher, Frank Langella, was terminated from the production of The Fall of the House of Usher after a misconduct investigation. Bruce Greenwood was brought in as his replacement and had to re-shoot all of Langella's scenes that had already been filmed.
Not many details about the situation have been released to the public. During a recent interview with Kyle Meredith, Kate Siegel was asked about the recasting of Langella for Fall of the House of Usher. Despite the devastating nature of the situation, Siegel praised Greenwood's reshooting work, acknowledging that almost every scene he shot that wasn't with Carl Lumbly was an emergency reshoot and commending his efforts.
"The situation was truly heartbreaking. It was overwhelming and disappointing, and it caused a lot of pain. While I wasn't directly involved in the HR matters, it was upsetting to hear that cast members were feeling sad, uncomfortable, and taken advantage of by other members of the cast. It was truly devastating."
You can find the complete interview below:
Siegel expressed his frustration over the impact of one person's negative behavior on the set, particularly in contrast to the relief and positive dynamic brought by Bruce's arrival. The experience reinforced the belief that one does not need to be tormented to be a good artist, and that anyone can remain composed and professional on set regardless of challenging circumstances.
Bruce Greenwood, who took over Langella's role, has collaborated with Mike Flanagan on numerous projects, such as Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep.
Despite some setbacks, The Fall of the House of Usher managed to maintain its popularity with audiences. We even named the show one of the best of the year, stating “To us, Mike Flanagan can do little wrong, and while The Fall of the House of Usher may not quite live up to the likes of Hill House, the director continues to create some of the best horror content, especially on Netflix. With an impressive cast and a clever use of Edgar Allan Poe’s work, House of Usher delivers some thrilling scares, distinguishing itself within the Flanagan horror universe (The Flana-verse?).”
The Fall of the House of Usher is available to stream on Netflix. Check out more of Dexerto’s TV & Movies content for more info on the latest and upcoming shows.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z netizen, I find the recasting of Frank Langella in "The Fall of the House of Usher" to be a complex and thought-provoking situation. On one hand, I understand the importance of taking action against misconduct and creating a safe and respectful work environment. It's crucial to address any instances of abuse or harassment to ensure the well-being of all cast and crew members. In this regard, I applaud the decision to remove Langella from the production.
On the other hand, I can't help but feel a sense of disappointment and frustration regarding the impact this recasting had on the production. The fact that significant portions of the series had to be reshot with a new actor must have been incredibly challenging for the cast and crew, potentially affecting the overall quality and continuity of the show. It's unfortunate that the actions of one individual can have such far-reaching consequences, disrupting the creative process and potentially affecting the enjoyment of viewers.
