Babylon 5 changed lead actors between seasons one and two with actor Michael O’Hare stepping down as Jeffrey Sinclair and being replaced by Bruce Boxleitner as John Sheridan.
For twenty years, the creator and producer of Babylon 5, J. Michael Straczynski has been mum on the details of why O’Hare decided to step away from the franchise. But at this weekend’s Phoenix Comicon’s 20th anniversary celebration, JMS revealed why O’Hare left.
According to JMS, O’Hare suffered from delusions and paranoia due to mental illness.
That was the real reason he left the show after only one season. Straczynski explained how O’Hare struggled, how he was barely able to come back for a two-parter to close his character’s story, but above all, that O’Hare wanted people to know the truth after his death.
And the most important truth of O’Hare’s struggle with mental illness is that he loved the fans, that they were what sustained him during the difficult times in his life.
In case you missed the panel that reunited many of the actors from the beloved space opera, we’ve got it for you below.
Wow. I really wish I was there. It brought tears to me eyes. The parts I could hear of coarse. But That whole sit down was great. Beautiful and wonderful. This is and was the best television show ever. And the people who made it did a damn good job. So much so much so that they can move us when they talk about real life. I love them and I love this show. It would have a huge joy to meet them.
Very interesting, funny thing my wife called it last year when she watched the series with me, she works in mental health and said she could see when they changed his meds on him due to how he acted. Especially when he came back later.