Which actress turned down the role of Robin before Cobie Smulders was cast?

Jennifer Love Hewitt turned down the role of Robin before Cobie Smulders was cast on How I Met Your Mother.

The creators initially approached Hewitt, who was already a recognizable television star. She declined the part because she chose to continue with Ghost Whisperer, which premiered in 2005 and became her next major series role.

The production then cast Cobie Smulders, who was comparatively unknown to American television audiences at the time. That choice helped make Robin feel like a fresh discovery to viewers, mirroring Ted's immediate fascination with her in the pilot.

Robin Scherbatsky was not the Mother, despite Ted's early attraction to her. The pilot establishes that distinction quickly, avoiding a prolonged will-they-or-won't-they mystery modeled too closely on Friends. Smulders ultimately played Robin throughout all nine seasons, while Hewitt's other career path became one of the show's best-known casting what-ifs.