When Bewitched made its debut in 1964, fans fell in love with sweet witch Samantha Stephens (Elizabeth Montgomery) and her mortal husband Darrin (Dick York). But five seasons into the beloved sitcom, York left the series due to medical issues. Producers replaced him with Dick Sargent, with no explanation to the audience.
In a 2025 interview with People magazine, Erin Murphy, who played the Stephens’ young daughter, Tabitha, on the series, said she loved working with “both” actors who played her dad. “They were wonderful guys,” she said.
But there have been long-standing rumors that co-star Agnes Moorehead (Endora on the show) wasn’t a fan of the new Darrin. In the book Twitch Upon a Star: The Bewitched Life and Career of Elizabeth Montgomery, TV historian Herbie Pliato wrote that Sargent was greeted with “edgy hostility” when he joined the cast of the ABC sitcom in 1969. “Set in her ways, Moorehead was not at all pleased with his presence,” Pilato wrote, adding that the legendary actress had been very “fond” of York. It was also alleged that at the first table read with Sargent, Moorehead announced, “I am not fond of change!”
Murphy, who is one of the only living cast members remaining from Bewitched, addressed the casting switch in a December 2025 interview on the Media Path podcast.
When asked if it was true that Moorehead did not initially take to Sargent when he replaced York as Darrin, Murphy, 61, replied, “I know that people kind of play that story up more than what I experienced.”
“I've heard there was one quote where she said, ‘I don't like change,’” Murphy said. “She was such a perfect, wonderful, professional, lovely person. She was perfectly kind to Dick Sargent, and the feeling on set didn't change. Dick Sargent was a different Darrin. I as a kid acting with him noticed that he played the part differently. It was not the same. But she was always nice. I think it's one of those things people take a comment and run with it. … So yeah, take it with a grain of salt.”
Erin Murphy Talked About Working With Paul Lynde
Bewitched featured a long list of recurring guest stars during its eight-season run. One of the most memorable was Paul Lynde, who played wacky warlock Uncle Arthur in 10 episodes.
In a past interview with Bewitched.net, Murphy admitted that she didn’t “remember Paul Lynde that much because he really didn't like kids.” “I don't really remember him paying any attention to me particularly,” she added.
Murphy elaborated during the Media Path interview. “He was one of those people… everyone loved Paul Lynde. I do as someone watching television and films, I enjoy Paul Lynde very much,” the Bewitched star said. “But he wasn't really necessarily that friendly. He was one of those ‘works with kids and animals’ kind of guys, but he was maybe a little bit of a drinker in retrospect, and just... he was fine. I liked the episodes he was on a lot. He certainly… you know, we exchanged Christmas cards, but I wouldn't say we were close. I mean, I was young when I saw him.”
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