There are few things more satisfying when watching a film or television show than excellent lookalike casting; the type of casting that makes viewers certain the actors must be related, and forces viewers to troll the deep, dark depths of Wikipedia to prove it.
This type of casting is at its absolute best when actors are cast to play the younger versions of popular characters. Not only does it immediately make a flashback more enjoyable and worthwhile, but its believability adds to the viewer's love for the character. While younger castings can sometimes miss the mark, when it is done right it is nothing short of mesmerizing.
Updated on August 10, 2023, by Ryan Heffernan:
With new advancements a constant in these technological times, the way in which films and television shows are made is ever-changing. Needless to say, that fact has been the cause of some outcry, with the increasing use of de-aging effects and ongoing conversation about AI implementation in the industry proving to be a contentious topic. Proving some things truly are best done the old way, these examples of new actors portraying younger versions of famous characters offer emphatic proof that there is no substitute for genuine, unfiltered performance.
14 Jaidan Jiron as young Cece Parekh
'New Girl' (2011 - 2018)
A hit comedy from Fox, New Girl ran for seven seasons from 2011-2018, following a misfit mob of unlikely roommates as they navigate the trials and tribulations of life and romance. The series had a number of episodes that hearkened back to the younger days of the characters, and while some of the actors' childhood counterparts didn't quite hit the mark, the casting of Jaidan Jiron as a young Cece (Hannah Simone) was a stroke of genius.
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The resemblance sparked conversation among the fan base with many shocked at not only the likeness between the two actors but how perfectly Jiron portrayed a young Cece as well. From the brunette bangs, to the signature Cece smile, the show's casting directors struck gold when Jiron stepped on set.
13 Christa B. Allen as young Jenna Rink & Alexandra Kyle as young Lucy Wyman
'13 Going on 30' (2004)
2004's 13 Going on 30 featured an all-star cast and became a renowned cult classic rom-com because of its light entertainment value and its heartwarming narrative. However, it also has some of the best young casting calls in Hollywood history.
The look-alike factor alone between Alexandra Kyle and Judy Greer ensured Lucy "Tom Tom" Wyman would be an iconic character, with Kyle's delightfully wicked and bratty portrayal of the teenage antagonist nothing short of iconic. Christa B. Allen's casting as a young Jennifer Garner was a roaring success as well, with Allen portraying a young Garner again five years later in Ghosts of a Girlfriends Past.
12 Max Greenfield as young Sandy Cohen
'The O.C.' (2003 - 2007)
The O.C. was one of television's earliest soap hits of the 21st century, following a misfortune teenage boy as he is taken in by a wealthy, upper-class family and acclimatizes to the perplexing and often treacherous social landscape. One of the series' most prominent characters was Sandy Cohen (Peter Gallagher), the adoptive father and an idealistic public defender.
The thirteenth episode of season four allowed audiences to see what Sandy was like in his younger days, and the casting for the part could hardly have been any better. Max Greenfield played the iconic role and had an enormous impact on the show's fans with just one episode on account of his striking likeness to Gallagher while embodying his welcoming charm.
11 Jessica Keenan Wynn as young Tanya & Alexa Davies as young Rosie
'Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again' (2018)
A long-awaited sequel to the feel-good musical rom-com which became a huge hit in 2008, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again saw Sophie (Amanda Seyfriend) explore more of her mother's past life as she re-opens the family hotel. The film presented a number of flashbacks, with many of the characters being re-imagined with younger actors, including Lily James appearing as a young version of Meryl Streep's Donna.
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However, the two surprise standouts of the young cast members came from Jessica Keenan Wynd and Alexa Davies who played younger versions of Tanya (Christine Baranksi) and Rose (Julie Walters) respectively. While it would have been difficult to live up to the fun-loving cheekiness the original actresses showed with such ease, Wynd and Davies proved to be perfect choices.
10 Bill Heck as young Dan Chase
'The Old Man' (2022 - )
A dramatic thriller series from FX based on the Thomas Perry novel of the same name, The Old Man starred Jeff Bridges as Dan Chase, a former CIA operative and Vietnam veteran who goes into hiding after killing an intruder having spent 30 years living off the grid. The series is preoccupied with the elderly Chase’s journey as he is hunted by multiple interested parties.
Bringing the shadiness of Chase’s tormented past to life to the fore is Bill Heck, whose portrayal of a younger Jeff Bridges boasts not only a visual likeness, but a harsh squint and gruff persona that Bridges exudes as well.
9 Peyton List as young Jane Nichols
'27 Dresses' (2008)
This younger casting is often forgotten about, but one so good that it warrants a rewatch of the cheesy rom-com just to fully appreciate. Peyton List, in her acting debut, effortlessly stepped into the role of Katherine Heigl's Jane Nichols in 27 Dresses, not only opening the film, but setting up what would become a lifelong love affair with weddings for Jane's character.
In addition to being a cute intro to the film, List's part would be defining of Jane Nichol's life aspirations and dedication to her career. The film did well casting a young Tess Nichols (Malin Åkerman) as well with Charli Barcena playing the part well.
8 AnnaSophia Robb as young Elena Richardson
'Little Fires Everywhere' (2020)
A resounding success for Hulu, the streaming platform’s original miniseries Little Fires Everywhere proved to be a major hit with audiences. The family drama follows the seemingly perfect Richardson family which is gradually brought undone by an enigmatic mother-daughter duo as long-hidden secrets are bought to light.
Playing a minor though pivotal part in unveiling that murky history was AnnaSophia Robb, who portrayed a younger Elena (Reese Witherspoon) in two episodes of the miniseries. Not only is there a noticeable likeness between the two actresses, but Robb plays the part with a great tonal resonance as well, depicting Elena’s tightly-wound intensity and perfectly her speaking patterns to a tee.
7 Sophia Lillis as young Camille Preaker
'Sharp Objects' (2018)
Based on the debut novel by crime writer Gillian Flynn, HBO’s Sharp Objects has become an overlooked miniseries that flaunts many of the network’s trademark qualities, from its gritty and dramatic tone to its exceptional acting. It stars Amy Adams as Camille Preaker, an alcoholic crime reporter with a history of psychiatric issues who returns to her hometown to investigate the murders of two young girls.
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The homecoming brings with it intense flashbacks to her complicated youth, with Sophia Lillis expertly portraying the young Camille with meticulous precision. With a prosthetic nose, the similarity between Lillis and Adams was uncanny. Lillis’ breakout role in 2016’s It also saw her portray a young version of a famous actress with Jessica Chastain cast as an older Beverley Marsh in It: Chapter Two.
6 Emily Carey as young Alicent Hightower & Milly Alcock as young Rhaenyra Targaryen
'House of the Dragon' (2022 - )
A prequel to HBO's epic fantasy hit Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon was well received upon release with its ambitious first season transpiring over decades as the origin of House Targaryen's civil war unfold. With its ambitious scope, the series began with Emily Carey and Milly Alcock in the two major roles of Alicent Hightower and Rhaenyra Targaryen, parts that would go on to be played by Olivia Cooke and Emma D'Arcy respectively.
The conniving political landscape of King's Landing doesn't permit much in the way of sentiment or compassion, and as the two young girls begin to mature, the lure of the throne and the nobility of sworn birthrights see them come at odds with one another. While D'Arcy and Cooke both put in sublime performances, it was the groundwork laid by Carey and Alcock that gave the characters' bitter rivalry such a vibrant and tragic platform to launch from.
5 River Phoenix as young Indiana Jones
'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' (1989)
The use of de-aging technology in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny raised a few eyebrows for moviegoers, especially considering the character had been recast with rousing results earlier in the franchise. In a flashback prologue at the start of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, it was River Phoenix who portrayed Indy in his teenage years.
Phoenix was picked out by Harrison Ford for the role, and his brief though memorable performance was bolstered with Ford training him to play Jones right. The end result made for a distinct opening to the film which revealed important aspects of Indy’s back-story.
4 Kyra Adler as young Cassie Howard
'Euphoria' (2019 - )
Kyra Adler's portrayal of Euphoria's Cassie Howard is another in a list of castings so perfect they simply must be the same person. And although the show's other flashback castings were brilliant, with an honorable mention going to Keilaini Arellanes' portrayal of the iconic Maddy Perez, Adler's casting takes the cake.
It is impossible to picture someone else capturing the fan-favorite Cassie Howard's perfect, girlish charm, and Adler is so sweet in her role that it almost makes it difficult to believe that same girl would go on to scream "I have never ever been happier" in her high school bathroom or drunkenly dance to Sinead O'Connor's "Drink Before the War".
3 Ben Savage as young Jason Gideon
'Criminal Minds' (2005 - )
Criminal Minds is one of the longest-running live-action series of any genre, and over its staggering 16 seasons (and counting) it has featured no small number of iconic characters. One of the most striking of which was Jason Gideon (Mandy Patinkin), an astute criminal profiler who was one of the show’s major leads in its earliest seasons and continued to have an impact long after Patinkin departed the series.
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Portraying a younger version of Gideon, Ben Savage joined Criminal Minds for the season 10 episode “Nelson’s Sparrow” before reprising the role in season 15. In addition to having a certain resemblance to Patinkin, Savage also executed the original Gideon’s mannerisms and facial expressions with such accuracy that fans were calling for him to star in a prequel spin-off to the series.
2 McKenna Grace as young Sabrina Spellman
'Chilling Adventures of Sabrina' (2018 - 2020)
From playing younger versions of characters in everything from horror series like The Haunting of Hill House to Oscar-winning dramas like I, Tonya and even superhero epics in Captain Marvel, McKenna Grace has established herself through a range of acclaimed performances. Not many though have been so absolutely perfect for her as Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
With Kiernan Shipka in the starring role, Grace portrayed a younger version of Sabrina and the resemblance between the two stars was uncanny. When Grace made her first appearance in the series, fans were quick to take to Google to see if there was any relation between her and Shipka as they were so alike, something that was further enforced with Grace's performance meticulously matching Shipka's mannerisms and expressions.
1 Bailee Madison as young Snow White
'Once Upon a Time' (2011 - 2018)
Blending fairy tale fantasy adventure with elements of real-world drama and romance, Once Upon a Time quite understandably became a television hit that garnered a sizable following throughout the 2010s. It is set in a small town that is actually home to characters of fairy tale legend who were transported from their home world and had their memories wiped.
Among them is Snow White, portrayed in the series by Ginnifer Goodwin with young actress Bailee Madison quite memorably portraying the character as a child. Madison appeared in five episodes across the series' tenure, with her striking resemblance to Goodwin helping her make her time on screen full of presence.
