Just when things seemed to be going so well for the 'How I Met Your Mother' franchise, whose penultimate installment "The End of the Aisle" finally had us primed for Ted to meet his dream girl and close out the series, sequel-spinoff project 'How I Met Your Dad' has a new snag. 'Smash' star Krysta Rodriguez exited her regular role before shooting could begin, but what will 'How I Met Your Dad' do in her place?

Via Deadline, Rodriguez was to play the role of Juliet, successful fashion blogger, a sexy, flamboyant force of nature and best friend to Greta Gerwig's Sally before her departure. Apparently, the character underwent changes following the pilot episode's table read, and Rodriguez left the project behind as a result. Previously, we'd also heard Eliza Dushku to be reading for the part, though it isn't clear if the role will be recast or altered altogether.

Apart from Gerwig, Andrew Santino as gay brother Danny, Drew Tarver's role as his husband Todd, 'Masters of Sex' vet Nicholas D’Agosto as potential love interest Frank, and 'Workaholics' star Anders Holm as Sally's soon-to-be ex-husband Gavin, the role of narrating future Sally is still uncast. Where first it was thought that we’d meet at least some of the new cast in the final episodes of ‘How I Met Your Mother,’ worth noting is that ‘How I Met Your Dad’ will in fact film its own pilot independent of any of the established characters. ‘Up All Night’ creator Emily Spivey will head up the show creatively with ‘HIMYM’ producers Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, with Gerwig likely taking on writing duties, as well.

We were looking forward to seeing what Rodriguez did with the role, but what say you? Does 'How I Met Your Dad' seem to be in trouble already, or does the evolving script suggest a genuine attempt to get it right? Tell us what you want to see from the 'How I Met Your Mother' spinoff in the comments!

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