Dennis Weaver’s Initial Cast Selection for Gunsmoke

Ever pondered on the casting process for a TV show? Counter to what you might expect, casting the lead role first isn’t a set rule. Take Gunsmoke as an example, where the team initially placed their bets on Dennis Weaver, making him the first to formally join the cast. This unusual step was taken not by choice but due to the fact that James Arness, the intended lead, was preoccupied elsewhere.

The situation was a bit unconventional due to James Arness being tied up with filming commitments in the Bahamas. His involvement with another project led to a delay in formally accepting the pivotal role offered in Gunsmoke, which inadvertently placed Dennis Weaver at the forefront as the first official cast member on the payroll, setting a distinctive casting precedence for the show.