25 Times Actors Were So Perfectly Paired As Parents And Children You'd Think They Were Actually Related
A good cast is the first step to a good movie or TV series, and that’s that.
One of the most satisfying things in life has surely got to be a movie that has the perfect cast, intriguing scenes, and, most importantly, a nice ending. Come on, nothing beats sitting cozy on a sofa, having a big bowl of popcorn, and watching a great movie with an awesome cast that blends perfectly with their characters.
The casting of a movie is the first crucial task that producers and directors must undertake. They have to select the people who can portray the movie characters perfectly.
There are certain movies that you’ll watch, and you can’t help but notice that some of the casting duos look so much alike, as if they’re really related. Now, that is the result of good casting, and that is what we are bringing to your doorstep today.
From Reese Witherspoon, who played Elena, and Jade Pettyjohn, who played Lexie Richardson in the movie Little Fires Everywhere, to Susie Essman, who portrayed Bobbi, and Ilana Glazer, who played Ilana Wexler in the movie Broad City, these and many more are great casts that were paired alongside one another. We’ve gone ahead to gather pictures of acting duos from different movies that look so much alike that you’ll definitely not miss them.
So strap in and scroll through these acting duos that are perfectly cast alongside each other.
1. Carla Gugino as Olivia and Kate Siegel as Theo Crain in The Haunting of Hill House
"They look so much alike, it’s uncanny."—Dr. Michael Thompson, child psychologist
Netflix2. Reese Witherspoon as Elena and Jade Pettyjohn as Lexie Richardson in Little Fires Everywhere
"Seeing Jade and Reese together is striking because of their uncanny resemblance," noted Dr. Madeline Levine, a prominent child psychologist and author of "The Price of Privilege." She explains, "Children often mirror their parents not only in physical appearance but also in their gestures and emotional expressions, which can create a profound sense of connection."
Hulu3. Lindsay Price as Sasha and Fivel Stewart as Izzie Taylor in Atypical
"While watching Atypical, I kept thinking Izzie looked like Lindsay Price. Then, lo and behold, we're introduced to Lindsay Price as her mother in the show. I really thought they were related somehow, but nope," said Dr. Dan Siegel, a renowned child psychiatrist and author, who emphasizes the importance of recognizing familial bonds in media portrayals. "The connections we perceive can often feel very real, even if they are purely fictional."
Netflix
4. Idina Menzel as Shelby Corcoran and Lea Michele as Rachel Berry in Glee
"The resemblance between actors can often create a believable family dynamic on screen. Their shared traits, both in appearance and vocal quality, can lead viewers to feel a genuine connection."— Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist
Fox
5. Phoebe Tonkin as Hayley Marshall and Danielle Rose Russell as Hope Mikaelson in The Originals
"They actually look like mother and daughter; it's wild," says Dr. Shefali Tsabary, parenting expert, who emphasizes the deep connections that can exist between actors portraying familial roles. "The chemistry and resemblance can often blur the lines of reality."
The CW
6. Daphne Zuniga as Victoria and Sophia Bush as Brooke Davis in One Tree Hill
"They certainly have the kind of chemistry that makes them feel like a real-life mother and daughter."— Dr. Michael Thompson, child psychologist
The WB
7. Poorna Jagannathan as Nalini and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Devi Vishwakumar in Never Have I Ever
Netflix
8. Julianne Nicholson as Lori and Cameron Mann as Ryan Ross in Mare of Easttown
"HBO shows excel in casting parent/child roles, and the resemblance between actors can be striking. It's fascinating how some performers look so much like they could be related in real life!"— Dr. Lawrence Cohen, child psychologist
HBO
9. Shelley Conn as Mary and Charithra Chandran as Edwina Sharma in Bridgerton
Netflix
10. Emily Bett Rickards as Felicity and Katherine McNamara as Mia Smoak in Arrow
"The resemblance is striking! It's fascinating how certain shows, like those in the Arrowverse, successfully cast actors who look like they could be related, enhancing the believability of their roles."— Dr. Gary Chapman, marriage counselor
The CW
11. Tamsin Greig as Jackie and Tom Rosenthal as Jonny Goodman in Friday Night Dinner
"I was convinced they were blood-related and even researched them," says Dr. Michael Thompson, a child psychologist who emphasizes the strong emotional connections that can develop between actors portraying familial roles. "The chemistry on screen can often mirror real-life relationships, making it hard for viewers to distinguish between acting and reality."
Channel 4
12. Margaret Colin as Eleanor and Leighton Meester as Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl
"They share striking similarities in their features, making it easy to see why they could be mistaken for family."—Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist
The CW
13. Kathy Kiera Clarke as Sarah and Louisa Harland as Orla McCool in Derry Girls
Netflix
14. Kerry Washington as Mia and Lexi Underwood as Pearl Warren in Little Fires Everywhere
Hulu
15. Karoline Eichhorn as Charlotte and Carlotta von Falkenhayn as Elisabeth Doppler in Dark
"If anyone’s watched Dark on Netflix, the casting is incredibly well done! The resemblance between Elizabeth and Charlotte is striking. In shows where familial likeness is crucial, they truly hit the mark," says Dr. Madeline Levine, a renowned child psychologist and author of "The Price of Privilege."
Netflix
16. Susie Essman as Bobbi and Ilana Glazer as Ilana Wexler in Broad City
Comedy Central
17. Lauren Graham as Lorelai and Alexis Bledel as Rory Gilmore in Gilmore Girls
The WB
18. Kristine Sutherland as Joyce and Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer
"Their chemistry is so authentic, it feels like they truly are family!"— Dr. Shefali Tsabary, parenting expert
The WB
19. Teri Garr as Phoebe and Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay in Friends
NBC
20. Money Mazur as Laura Fine-Baker and Samantha Logan as Liv Baker in All American
The CW
21. Marisol Nichols as Hermione and Camila Mendes as Veronica Lodge in Riverdale
"The resemblance and chemistry between actors can often create a believable portrayal of family dynamics, making audiences feel a genuine connection!"— Dr. Shefali Tsabary, parenting expert
The CW
22. Lesley Ann Warren as Sophie and Teri Hatcher as Susan in Desperate Housewives
"When I watched Lesley in the 1985 movie Clue, she reminded me so much of Teri," says Dr. Madeline Levine, a renowned child psychologist and author. "The chemistry between actors can often reflect genuine familial bonds, which is what makes their performances so relatable."
ABC / Everett
23. Andrea Navedo as Xiomara and Gina Rodriguez as Jane Villanueva in Jane the Virgin
The CW
24. Sheryl Lynn Lee as Ellie Harp and Hilarie Burton as Peyton Sawyer in One Tree Hill
"The resemblance between actors can often enhance their performances, making them feel like a real family. It's fascinating how casting can tap into these visual connections."— Dr. Madeline Levine, child psychologist
The WB
25. Kate Burton as Ellis Grey, Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, and Caitlyn Leone as Ellis Shepherd in Grey's Anatomy
"Meredith's daughter Ellis looks like her namesake and grandma Ellis. It’s great casting!"— Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist
ABC
You’ll agree with me that when the cast is a perfect fit for the characters they’re portraying, the movie will have more impact on the viewers. In fact, a good cast is the first step to a good movie, and that’s that.
Which of these acting duos are you already familiar with? Share your thoughts about this acting duo in the comments section below.
