Casting for a movie or TV series is a complex task. You have to find an actor who can play the part and fit within the parameters set by the director and the plot. It gets even more complicated with on-screen families. If they are relatives, they have to look alike.
Often, casting teams take a talent-over-looks approach, and we end up with family members who have nothing in common. But sometimes the stars align, and the combination of resemblance and talent gives us perfect parent-child duos.
Here are five striking examples.
Ben Mendelsohn & Owen Teague
Danny & Nolan Rayburn in Bloodline
The black sheep of the family, Danny Rayburn, and his long-lost son, Nolan, looked so much alike that people thought Netflix had a time machine to get Mendelsohn's younger version. Teague even addressed this in his interviews, admitting that he understands why people think Mendelsohn is his real-life dad. No wonder, the actor played young Danny in flashbacks.
Alistair Petrie & Connor Swindells
Michael & Adam Groff in Sex Education
Viewers had to check a few times before they believed the actors who played the Groffs in Sex Education weren't related in real life. The principal of Moordale Secondary School and his son Michael not only share many physical traits, they also have similar mannerisms and speech patterns. There is even a rumor that Petrie was cast primarily because of his resemblance to Swindells.
Jeff Goldblum & Nick Kroll
Rupert & Rodney Ruxin in The League
Rodney Ruxin and his father Rupert are the gold standard for parent-child casting. If anything, Goldblum looks exactly like a well aged Kroll.
'Jeff Goldblum is playing my father on #Theleaguefx,' Kroll once joked on Twiitter (X). 'I wish there was more of a resemblance.'
Ashley Johnson & Bella Ramsey
Anna & Ellie in The Last of Us
The casting of Ashley Johnson as Ellie's mother Anna is perfect for two reasons. First, she is the voice of Ellie in the video game that became the basis for the series, so it is a way for the show to pay tribute to the original fans. Second, the actresses really do look alike. This is certainly a casting match made in heaven.
John Ritter & Zach Braff
Sam & J.D. Dorian in Scrubs
Seriously, the Dorian father-son duo in Scrubs look like they could be one person from different time periods. Just put their young photos side by side. Zach Braff looks more like John Ritter than his own sons, Jason and Tyler, who are also actors. Not to mention that Tom Cavanaugh, who plays J.D.'s older brother Dan, fits right in with the family. Way to go, Scrubs casting crew!
Source: X.