Before Betty Draper, January Jones almost played Peggy Olson in Mad Men. But here's where it gets controversial... While Jones ultimately landed the iconic role of Betty Draper, she initially auditioned for the part of Peggy Olson, a character that went to Elisabeth Moss. In an interview, Jones revealed that she went out for the role twice, but series creator Matthew Weiner had other plans. He told her, 'Well, there's another role, but I don't really know what's going to happen with her.' This role, of course, turned out to be Betty Draper, who became a central figure in the show's storyline. The expansion of Betty's role in the pilot script was met with some pushback from the studio, as they initially wanted to keep the focus on the office politics. But Weiner fought for the inclusion of Betty's domestic life, which became a key element in the show's thematic depth. This decision proved to be a turning point, as it allowed the show to explore the fraught suburban home life of Don Draper and other characters, adding a layer of complexity to the narrative. And this is the part most people miss... The casting of Elisabeth Moss as Peggy was a brilliant move, as her initial waifishness gave way to one of the greatest character arcs in modern TV history. Both actresses were nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards for their performances by the time Mad Men came to an end. So, while January Jones almost played Peggy, the show's creators made the right choice by casting her as Betty Draper, a role that became a cornerstone of the series' success.
