The Perfect 'Gilmore Girls' Cast if the Series Were Made in 2026

Published Oct 17, 2026, 9:33 PM EDT

Michael Block is a 14 time GLAM Award nominated writer, producer, and host of the podcast Block Talk. Throughout his time in the entertainment industry, he has worked on and off Broadway as a stage manager, written several produced plays, critiqued hundreds of theatrical performances, drag and cabaret shows, and has produced events randing from drag competitoons to variety concerts! 
On Block Talk, he interviews nightlife personalities, covers the wide world of entertainment through features, ranking episodes, and recaps ALL of Drag Race, as well as Dragula and Survivor. He has interviewed hundreds of RuGirls that span the globe at DragCon NYC, DragCon LA, and DragCon UK. 
In his free time, he makes one-of-a-kind jewelry and gift baskets with his mom. He is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. 

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It's been more than a quarter-century since Gilmore Girls made its debut on The WB. The comedy-drama from Amy Sherman-Palladino told the story of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, a mother-daughter duo living in the idyllic hamlet of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. Starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel, the seven-season series was so beloved that the original cast came back together for a four-part Netflix revival, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.

Though for many hardcore fans Gilmore Girls is perfect as it is, you can't help but ponder what the show might look like had it been made today. Even if you think it's a hands-off property, there are some extraordinary performers who would slip perfectly into the roles of the Stars Hollow denizens. Rather than diving deep into the run, our list is based on the start of the series with characters who were introduced in Season 1.

1 Lorelai Gilmore

Rachel Brosnahan

Image via 20th Century Studios

As one half of the main duo, Lorelai is the fast-talking, coffee-loving cool mom you wish was yours. Having Rory when she was only 16, she ran away from her strict, wealthy parents to start anew in Stars Hollow. A hard worker who eventually co-owns a bed and breakfast of her own, the Dragonfly Inn, Lorelai is known for her quick wit, independent streak, and fierce loyalty. A truly beloved character, Graham brought her to life perfectly. She effortlessly combined her comedic timing with deep emotional vulnerability and tackled Sherman-Palladino's dizzying dialogue with ease, crafting a fun, quirky, and truly sincere woman. She was relatable, which made us eager to go on the journey with her. The truth is, without an incredible emotional anchor like Lorelai, Gilmore Girls could never have succeeded. It's why Graham was perfect.

To play Lorelai, a new actress must bring the same traits to the character and be able to tackle Sherman-Palladino's text. So why not go with a brilliant performer who has a Sherman-Palladino credit already on her resume? Enter: Rachel Brosnahan. After an exceptional comedy masterclass in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Brosnahan could fill Lorelai's boots. With the same creative DNA in both roles, Lorelai would be an extension of Midge. Brosnahan masters the witty, independent woman who is deeply flawed but incredibly determined to right the wrongs. Brosnahan is incredibly charming, using humor as a shield. She has the strength to make you laugh out loud, then make you emotional in the next scene. The Sherman-Palladino multiverse has already alluded to this possibility, so let's will it into existence!

2 Rory Gilmore

Cailey Fleming

Image via Paramount Pictures

Now, to the other half of the dynamic duo, Rory. Raised by her single mother, Rory was the daughter every mother wished to have. She was a studious, book-loving darling who became valedictorian at Chilton Preparatory School and went on to graduate from Yale with an English degree. Played by Bledel, she brought a natural softness and innocence to the role. Even though she was an introvert, she had an intellectual charm that perfectly balanced her mother. Bledel brought emotional depth to Rory. With just a glance, Bledel brought you into Rory's mind. Of course, Rory wouldn't be a teenager without experiencing love, and Bledel had wonderful chemistry with the boys who played opposite her.

When Bledel was originally cast, the rising star had only an uncredited role to her name. She had a freshness that drew you in. While replicating that formula would be wonderful, for this list we have to go with an actress on the opposite side of things who still has Bledel's allure. That young star is none other than Cailey Fleming. Perhaps best known for her role as Judith Grimes in The Walking Dead or, more recently, as Bea in If, Fleming would get to embark on a journey in a mature role as Rory. Fleming is one of the most enigmatic rising stars, with a natural presence, range, and the right look for Rory. She possesses a sweet, wide-eyed innocence and has proven she can play with immense emotional range. She has the acting chops to handle Rory's heavy emotional beats. And let's face it, paired with Brosnahan, they look like they could be related!

3 Luke Danes

Alden Ehrenreich

Image via Disney+

It's time to find out who's best suited to don the infamous flannel. With an endless stream of coffee, the cynical, sarcastic, and grouchy Luke Danes owns Luke's Diner. Luke has a huge heart and a deep loyalty to those he cares about. Of course, his major storyline revolved around his long-time on-again, off-again romance with Lorelai. If Lorelai was rapid-fire, Luke was low-key. Gravely and grounded, Scott Patterson was perfect as Luke. Patterson personified the curmudgeon with a heart of gold. He was instantly magnetic; it's no wonder he ultimately became the one. Patterson brought a genuine, blue-collar, world-weary authenticity to the part that made him feel perfectly real.

So, who should step into the signature look of a backward baseball cap and plaid flannel shirt? The best option would be Alden Ehrenreich. One of Hollywood's brightest stars, Ehrenreich has a knack for playing characters with grumpy-but-lovable charisma. Luke has a bit of an antisocial streak, and Ehrenreich has notoriously taken on those grumpy characters, including Han Solo in Solo: A Star Wars Story and Joe McGillicuddy/Zeke Stane in Ironheart. Luke needs an Everyman, and Ehrenreich has that trait. He has a vintage aesthetic that would make him believable in the part. Ehrenreich is the perfect actor you'd want to watch embark on a slow-burning romance. The pining in his eyes is exactly who Luke is.

Collider Exclusive · 8 Questions · 2 Minutes Which Iconic Fandom Should You Join? Harry Potter · Lord of the Rings · Star Wars · Star Trek

Eight honest questions about how you actually are: what you put on when you need cheering up, how deep you go into the things you love, what you argue about, what you keep on your shelf. Answer them and we will tell you where you belong. Four of the biggest fandoms on earth are taking new members, and they could not be more different from one another.

⚡Harry Potter(Wizarding World)

💍Lord of the Rings(Middle-earth)

⚔️Star Wars(A Galaxy Far Away)

🖖Star Trek(The Final Frontier)

FIND YOUR PEOPLE →

01

What do you put on when you need cheering up? Nobody is brave about this one.

AThe same thing I have watched a hundred times. BSomething long, slow and beautiful. CSomething big and loud with a great score. DOne clever episode of something hopeful.

NEXT QUESTION →

02

How deep do you go into something you love? There is no shallow end here, only different deep ends.

AI know every character and all the gossip. BI have read the appendices and studied the maps. CI have a ranked opinion on every instalment. DI want to know how the world actually works.

NEXT QUESTION →

03

What do you and your friends actually argue about? Every fandom has one argument it has been having for years.

AWhich one of us is which type. BWhether the adaptation got it right. CWhether the new stuff ruined the old stuff. DWhether the right thing was actually done.

NEXT QUESTION →

04

How do you feel about a room full of strangers? Every one of these comes with a very big room.

AGreat, and I will know everybody by the end. BFine, as long as they take it seriously. CBrilliant, especially if there is something to dress up for. DHappy, provided the conversation is interesting.

NEXT QUESTION →

05

Where would you rather spend a week? Pick on instinct rather than on budget.

AAn old castle somewhere rainy. BMountains, long walks, no phone signal. CA desert with an unbelievable night sky. DA city built around a university.

NEXT QUESTION →

06

What do you believe about people, mostly? All four of these stories have an answer, and they disagree.

AMost of them turn out better than expected. BThe smallest ones decide the biggest things. CAnybody can change, even very late on. DWe work it out if we keep talking.

NEXT QUESTION →

07

What is actually on your shelf? Look over at it before you answer.

AEverything I owned when I was twelve. BHardbacks, in order, read more than once. CFigures, posters, and a few things still boxed. DBooks about how things work, plus a model or two.

NEXT QUESTION →

08

What do you actually want from a story? Eight questions in, this is the one that picks your fandom.

AA place I can go back to whenever I need it. BA world complete enough to get lost in. CSomething huge I can share with everybody. DAn idea that changes how I think.

REVEAL MY FANDOM →

Membership Confirmed Your Fandom Is…

Four of the largest communities on the planet, and four completely different reasons to belong to one. Here is yours, what it would give you, and the argument you would be having within a week.

Harry Potter

You belong to the fandom that is really about comfort. Hogwarts works on people because it is a place rather than a plot, and the pull is not the wizard war so much as the corridors, the food, the weather and the sense that somebody is expecting you.

• You are drawn to belonging, which is why this fandom sorted itself into houses within about five minutes and has never stopped.
• This is the most social of the four, and the one most likely to know which type every single person in your life would be.
• The books are built to be reread rather than analysed, and rereading is exactly what you do with things you love.
• The new HBO series is bringing the whole thing back one book at a time, which means the arguments are about to start all over again.

Lord of the Rings

You belong to the deepest fandom on this list, the one where somebody has always read further than you and is quietly delighted to say so. Middle-earth rewards patience more than any other world in popular culture.

• You like the sense that the story you are reading is only the visible part of something enormous, which is precisely how Tolkien built it.
• This fandom takes adaptation seriously to a degree that other fandoms find slightly alarming, and it has good reasons for that.
• Your favourite thing about the books is probably the bit that is not action at all, which is the walking, the songs and the long goodbyes.
• Nobody here thinks heroism belongs to the powerful, and the whole story exists to make that argument.

Star Wars

You belong to the loudest and largest tent of the four, the one where three generations are all watching the same thing and none of them agree about any of it. That disagreement is not a flaw in this fandom, it is the main activity.

• You want something you can share with absolutely everybody, from a six year old to a grandparent, and this is the only one on the list that really does that.
• Nobody argues like Star Wars fans argue, and the argument has been running since roughly 1980 with no sign of resolution.
• The pull here is sensory before it is narrative, since it is the sound design, the score and the look of a used and dented galaxy.
• You would be first in the queue, in costume, with strong opinions and a genuinely good time.

Star Trek

You belong to the thinking fandom, the one that turns up for the argument rather than the explosion. Trek has always been a series of ethical problems in space, and the people who love it love being asked what they would have done.

• You are an optimist in a way that is currently unfashionable, and this is the only major franchise still willing to say the future might be better.
• The best episodes are the ones where nobody fires anything, which is a sentence that makes perfect sense to this fandom and to nobody else.
• Starfleet Academy brought the franchise back to a classroom in 2026, which is appropriate, because Trek has always been a bit of a seminar.
• You would want the conversation afterwards more than the episode itself, and here you will always find somebody willing to have it.

↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ

4 Emily Gilmore

J. Smith-Cameron

Image via SundanceTV

The brilliance of Gilmore Girls is the multi-generational story. It might be surprising that they were of the same lineage, but Emily Gilmore was the high society matriarch of the Gilmore family. A typical wealthy housewife, Emily is sharp, prideful, sophisticated, and fiercely protective of the Gilmore reputation. Hence the strained relationship with her daughter. Emily and Lorelai have had a tense, complicated relationship ever since Lorelai ran away to raise Rory alone. But when she needs monetary support for Rory's prep school, their relationship rekindles with standing Friday night dinner appointments. With sharp comedic timing, innate theatricality, and a richly lived-in sensibility, Kelly Bishop mastered the part. Instead of making Emily an antagonist in her daughter's narrative, Bishop layered her with complexity.

Before Gilmore Girls, theater lovers knew Bishop from her Tony-winning performance as Sheila in A Chorus Line. As a stage veteran, Bishop's theater background was perfect when bringing Emily to life. Another theater-based performer turned screen star would be exceptional, so the right pick would be J. Smith-Cameron. Though many fans know her for her pitch-perfect performance as Gerri Kellman on Succession or Kathy Vance on Hacks, Smith-Cameron has the range to give Emily her own flair. Gerri was outwardly fierce, while Kathy was inherently sensitive and internally lonely; it's the exact mix of emotions Emily needs. When she needs to engage in no-nonsense sparring, she delivers. She has grace and poise and can offer a wealth of storytelling through a single glance. Smith-Cameron is one of stage and screen's most robust and steadfast players, so Emily would come naturally.

5 Richard Gilmore

John Slattery

In a world of quirkiness, no one had such vibrato as Richard Gilmore. The patriarch of the Gilmore family, Richard began the story as an insurance executive before eventually becoming a professor at Yale. He is a dignified, old-fashioned man of status. He struggles with independent life choices, but he steps in to support his granddaughter. The two connect through their shared intellect, love for literature, and having achievable ambitions. Played by the late Edward Herrmann, he gave Richard the right amount of traditional presence without ever being too much of a caricature. A stage and screen veteran, Hermann brought a necessary tenderness that made him lovable. Herrmann and Bishop had impeccable chemistry, anchoring Gilmore Girls' upper-class world.

It might be impossible to replace Herrmann, so veering into a slightly different direction would be the best choice for Richard. Though they have quite different physical presences, the perfect successor to Herrmann would be the illustrious John Slattery. Hermann always delivered sharply, bringing a calm composure that commanded the room. Slattery has just that. Slattery knows how to play sophisticated with ease. Just look at his run on Mad Men. He looks the part, always bringing poise and polish to tailored suits with a country-club style swagger. Slattery is a master of dialogue. When he speaks, you listen. Richard is a deeply layered character, but there is a warmth within him. His exterior is bound by tradition, but inside, he has the capacity to adjust. No other actor plays sophisticated quite like Slattery.

6 Sookie St. James

Natasha Rothwell

Image via HBO

Everybody needs a best friend, and for Lorelai, it was Sookie St. James. A core part of the Stars Hollow world, Sookie is the lovable, wildly creative, and clumsy chef. From the Independence Inn to the Dragonfly Inn, Sookie brought a chaotic, accident-prone style to every kitchen she stepped into. One of television's greatest friendships, Sookie served as a necessary confidante and sounding board for Lorelai. Of course, a major reason Sookie was so beloved was Melissa McCarthy's breakout performance. McCarthy brought a unique blend of physical comedy and warmth to Sookie that made you want her in your corner. McCarthy's genius came in her smooth transition from clumsy caricature to confident business owner, wife, and mother.

McCarthy is a lighting-in-a-bottle type of performer, and trying to replicate her exact brand of charm is literally impossible. So, for this new version, we'll keep the warmth and heart and task the incomparable Natasha Rothwell to play the part. Best known for her two seasons on The White Lotus, Rothwell has the perfect mix of innate comedy and drama. Her physical comedic skills and expressive reactions were on full display as the bestie on Insecure. That experience would seep well into Sookie. Having made a mark as Belinda on The White Lotus, Rothwell proved that leading with heart is one of the greatest weapons in her acting arsenal. It would help as the ultimate ride-or-die on Gilmore Girls.

7 Dean Forester

Ashby Gentry

Image via Netflix

You will always remember your first love, and for Rory, that boy was Dean Forester. Arriving as the new kid from Chicago who captured Rory's eye, Dean was the perfect first boyfriend. He begins his journey as the sweet, polite, handy, and patient partner, famously remembered for building a custom car for Rory. Of course, their picture-perfect romance faced a rocky road when newcomers entered the scene, leading to multiple breakups. Playing the tall, handsome, wholesome boy next door, Jared Padalecki became everyone's first crush long before Supernatural. With All-American charm, Padalecki's earnest aura was the perfect energy next to Bledel's Rory. Padalecki grew with Dean, bringing that dramatic moodiness all teenagers face.

As it just so happens, we are living in the heyday of young adult romantic dramas. With nearly every streamer having at least one, choosing a new Dean was easy. Though he may not have Padalecki's height, Ashby Gentry has the exact energy needed to portray Dean. As one-third of the love triangle in My Life with the Walter Boys, Gentry masters the archetype of a brooding boyfriend with a heart of gold. Gentry exudes a seamless romantic, nerdy side that sparks the right chemistry with Rory. He's got the nice-guy edge that's alluring. Gentry could be the compelling, polarizing, foundational figure in town, making audiences root for Rory to pick him when trouble arrives in the love triangle with Jess Mariano. Only then might he bring out the insecurity and jealousy seen in Alex Walter on the hit Netflix series. Gentry is already a romantic heartthrob; Dean would simply be another notch on a rising career.

8 Christopher Hayden

Jack O'Connell

Image via MGM+

There had to be a "bad guy" to shake up the idyllic Stars Hollow. That individual was Lorelai's high school boyfriend and Rory's biological father, Christopher Hayden. Charming and chronically immature, Christopher opted out of early hands-on parenting. Drifting in and out of Rory's life, he made grand promises but offered little consistency, though he did help fund Rory's college years. He was present to be the ultimate "what-if" of temptation for Lorelai, but it was never going to be the overgrown man-child over the epitome of homegrown perfection. Played by David Sutcliffe, he shared the same quick-witted DNA with Graham that was fun to watch on screen, but from a character perspective, it was never going to happen. Sutcliffe made him a meandering lost soul that you genuinely hoped would evolve, but never could.

Christopher embodied the road not taken. He was a ghost of the past, but haunted Lorelai's present. Perhaps someone with an eerily perfect ease at haunting individuals would be the perfect pick: Jack O'Connell. Though he is most recently a modern scream king thanks to his roles in Sinners and 28 Years Later, O'Connell brings a trademark charm. He's quite a magnetic performer. O'Connell could weaponize his bad-boy charm while bringing the burden of underlying resentment from the past. He could add weight to the deadbeat-dad trope of someone who views fatherhood as a hobby. There's a pain in his performance that would bring a new side to the inability to live up to the Hayden name.

9 Kirk Gleason

Lauren Lapkus

Image via Universal Pictures

Every town has a lovable oddball. In Stars Hollow, that individual was Kirk Gleason. Famously working dozens of different absurd jobs around town throughout the show's run, Kirk was the epitome of quirky towniness. From grocery store clerk to swan delivery, the endless job-slaught made him one of the most unique characters in the bunch. A regular at Luke's diner, he frequently irked and amused Luke with a barrage of questions, wild requests, and the occasional necessity for life advice. Sean Gunn played the jack-of-all-trades with such conviction. With a brilliant blend of deadpan innocence and utter commitment to the bit, Gunn was perfect.

Looking at a new iteration of the show, a bold move might be gender-swapping the role. To do so, an actress of the same pedigree is required. Look no further than Lauren Lapkus. She possesses the exact same cocktail of chameleon-like performance prowess that made Gunn perfect in the part. Known for her deadpan sincerity and wild physical humor, Lapkus could channel the proper energy needed for the oddball. With an extensive comedy resume, Lapkus has proven her worth by slipping into a new "uniform" for each role. That's exactly who Kirk is.

10 Lane Kim

Momona Tamada

Image via Paramount+

To close it out, we end with Rory's best friend, Lane Kim. The music-loving, fiercely loyal bestie was spunky, creative, and deeply passionate. Raised in a traditional household, Lane evolved from a fearful teenager into an independent young woman. Keiko Agena played Lane with incredible comedic timing, nervous energy, and deep emotional authenticity. Known for keeping her rock CDs under the floorboards and sneaking out for Hep Alien band practice, Agena allowed Lane to be a beautifully endearing character. As one of the few Asian-American characters of the era, Lane was important for visibility, and Agena did a resounding job. Lane sadly didn't get the same overall adoration as many of the core characters.

In a reboot, we would get justice for the underserved Lane, so a young actress who would be dynamite in the part is crucial. The 2026 version could be played by rising star Momona Tamada. Widely recognized for her breakout role as Claudia Kishi in The Baby-Sitters Club, she knows how to tackle a richly passionate young woman with a double-life dynamic. In the Netflix series, Tamada was known for snappy banter and high-energy chemistry with her co-stars. That same energy would translate seamlessly to the Sherman-Palladino project. Tamada would capture the modern sensibility to make Lane not just a sidekick, but rather a fully rounded individual navigating generational strife.

Gilmore Girls