Actress Bonnie Morgan, recognized for her chilling portrayal of Samara in "The Ring," recently shared a surprising story on the "Pod Meets World" podcast. She revealed that she was initially cast as Topanga Lawrence in the beloved 90s sitcom "Boy Meets World," a role that ultimately went to Danielle Fishel.
Morgan described a rigorous audition process, with multiple callbacks and evolving scripts that seemed to incorporate elements from her conversations with the casting team. The character's hippie upbringing resonated with her own background, and the name Topanga held personal significance, linked to her parents' history. She felt a strong connection to the role and was confident after her agent informed her that show creator Michael Jacobs was impressed.
However, Morgan recounted a challenging first day on set, marked by strained interactions with the adults and playful teasing from Ben Savage, who played Cory Matthews, that unnerved her. She described feeling increasingly anxious and struggling with a line reading, ultimately receiving specific direction from the director, David Trainer, to deliver the line with exaggerated sweetness.
Despite the difficult day, Morgan left feeling optimistic about returning the following week. Her hopes were dashed the next morning when her father delivered the shocking news: she had been fired. According to Morgan, the director cited her inability to take direction, a claim her agent immediately disputed. Morgan revealed that her agent soon learned the real reason for her dismissal: the director didn't find her attractive enough for the role.
Morgan described the experience as devastating, leaving her feeling shattered. She only watched the pilot episode when the show aired. The role of Topanga ultimately launched Danielle Fishel's career, who continued to play the character in the series and its 2014 reboot, "Girl Meets World."
In a separate discussion on the same podcast, Fishel shared her own experiences of being sexualized as a young actress on "Boy Meets World," highlighting the inappropriate attention she received from adult men within the industry. She recounted instances of men commenting on her appearance and expressing anticipation for her 18th birthday, underscoring the uncomfortable dynamic she faced as a teenager navigating the entertainment world.
