Naomi Bennett – Private Practice

Dr. Naomi Bennett is a character on the Grey’s Anatomy spin-off Private Practice. She was portrayed by Merrin Dungey in a backdoor pilot Grey’s Anatomy episode, but was replaced by Audra McDonald prior to the show’s first season.

Reportedly, the switch was due to a lack of chemistry between Dungey and Taye Diggs, who played Sam, Naomi’s estranged husband. The recast was hard for executive producer Shonda Rhimes, who is close friends with Dungey.