Casting M*A*S*H If It Were Made In 2026: All 11 Main Roles

Published Sep 9, 2026, 7:00 PM EDT Shealyn Scott is a Senior Writer at Screen Rant. She has been writing for the site since 2024, focused on network, reality, streaming, and classic television. A creative writer, journalist, and lover of the written word in all its forms, Shealyn enjoys deconstructing scenes from her favorite shows, using context clues and historical precedent to predict major plot points (which, due to her successful track record, has sparked rumors of clairvoyance). As an award-winning student journalist, Shealyn spent her college years advocating for the humanities while studying English Literature. Her love of storytelling propelled her to expand her degree with minors in Writing and History, believing life to be a mere collection of stories that can be framed in as many ways as a movie scene. As a Senior member of the TV Team, Shealyn treats the series she covers like books, analyzing every line, camera angle, and lighting choice. Thankfully, her personal mission statement lines up perfectly with Screen Rant: every creative work deserves just as much thought from the viewer as it received from its creator. M*A*S*H consistently made history throughout its original run, but a 2026 version could introduce an entirely new generation to the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. From broadcasting the highest-rated episode of television in history to seamlessly blending clashing genres like medical drama, sitcom, and war, it's safe to say that M*A*S*H changed TV for good. Nevertheless, a show that's half a century old is bound to have problematic moments and storylines that aged poorly. Be it a too-close-to-home dramatic shift or a misogynistic aside, there are aspects of M*A*S*H that are difficult to watch. Regardless, the seminal classic was surprisingly progressive for its time, and a return to its one-of-a-kind brand of humor would undoubtedly be a breath of fresh air for modern audiences. Dylan O’Brien as Captain Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Originally Played By: Alan Alda Brook Rushton / © Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection Beyond being the heart and soul of M*A*S*H, Captain Benjamin "Hawkeye" Pierce is one of the most iconic TV characters of all time. Although there were dozens of soldiers, doctors, nurses, and peripheral military personnel throughout the show's 11 seasons, many were drafted without a choice— which explains why Hawkeye was the poster child of irreverence. Each episode, his disobedience often presents as pranks and wily schemes, but the character remains immensely endearing nonetheless. Very few actors would be able to toe the line between Hawkeye's sarcastic sense of humor and profound inner musings, but Dylan O'Brien would be a perfect fit. As the frontman of the 4077th, O'Brien would bring a timeless charm to the insolent Captain, no doubt different but just as lovable as the original iteration. Ayo Edebiri as Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan Originally Played By: Loretta Swit Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan may be the character who changes most drastically throughout M*A*S*H, going from a sexualized side character to a bona fide bruiser with an untouchable sense of confidence. As the lone woman in the main cast, Houlihan unquestionably held her own and grew more intriguing with each passing season. Plenty of actresses may resemble Loretta Swit physically, but Ayo Edebiri is the comedic powerhouse of her generation. Aside from helming one of the funniest movies in recent memory, Edebiri has proven her range is immeasurable. Granted, Houlihan would be unlike any role she's had before, but Ayo Edebiri could steal the spotlight on any show— and, selfishly, I think she should. ​​​​​​ Joe Keery as Corporal/Sergeant Maxwell Klinger Originally Played By: Jamie Farr Meanwhile, Corporal (later Sergeant) Maxwell Klinger is M*A*S*H's most contentious character, yet he is also, ironically, one of the most celebrated. The soldier's defining characteristic is his desperation to be sent home via a Section 8 psychiatric discharge. Klinger attempts to trick higher-ups with increasingly ridiculous plots, but his penchant for wearing dresses and jewelry leaves a sour taste in the mouth of modern viewers. Of course, a 2026 version would easily fix the issue by either removing the physical gag altogether or expanding it into a storyline about Klinger's gender non-conforming (GNC) tendencies. Thanks to his roles in Spree and Stranger Things, Joe Keery would effortlessly channel M*A*S*H's acclaimed dramedy elements, whether he's dealing with Klinger's estranged wife and "boy cried wolf" crises or eating ten Lebanese salamis in an effort to escape.​​​​​​ Rahul Kohli as Father Francis Mulcahy Originally Played By: William Christopher Every character in M*A*S*H is hilarious, but Father Francis Mulcahy is arguably the most serious. Obviously, the First Lieutenant (later Captain) is tethered to his religion, but he never comes across as overzealous or domineering. Rather, Father Francis is shockingly tender and kind to everyone he meets, from his coworkers to his wartime enemies. Admittedly, Rahul Kohli has mainly been in major horror projects in the past decade— most notably appearing in multiple Mike Flanagan miniseries— but he would ground the Chaplain's character beautifully. Plus, we're due for a new gorgeous religious figure to follow in the footsteps of Fleabag's Hot Priest and Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery's Father Jud.​​​​​​ David Corenswet as Captain B.J. Hunnicutt Originally Played By: Mike Farrell Captain B.J. Hunnicutt didn't appear until M*A*S*H season 4, but the talented surgeon instantly became a vital member of the core ensemble. Hunnicutt functions as Hawkeye's partner-in-crime, balancing the episodic adventures and antics with a secret soft side. In contrast to Hawkeye's earlier accomplices, Hunnicutt is slightly more mature and far more empathetic, which proved to be a winning formula for the fan-favorite late addition. David Corenswet may be most renowned as the face of Superman's newest era, but the actor has appeared in plenty of projects that show off his humorous side. With his filmography ranging from Twisters to The Politician to Ryan Murphy's Hollywood, it's clear Corenswet could handle the nuances of Hunnicutt's character, playing mischievous just as well as playing magnanimous. ​​​​​​ Peter Krause as Colonel Sherman T. Potter Originally Played By: Harry Morgan Similarly, Colonel Sherman T. Potter was introduced as the 4077th's new Commanding Officer in season 4, and his arrival marked a pivotal turning point for the series. Prior to Potter's assignment, Hawkeye successfully cultivated a fairly laissez-faire working environment at the MASH. Though Potter quickly whipped his crew into shape, he knew that leniency and breaking chain-of-command were sometimes necessary. Furthermore, he encouraged Hawkeye's hijinks as a morale boost, turning the stern Colonel into a de facto father figure for the hospital staff. Peter Krause feels like the obvious choice, as his last major role— Bobby Nash in ABC's 9-1-1— already bears many similarities to Potter. Sadly, Krause's fire captain became one of the most infamous network TV deaths of the decade in 2025, which would make his casting as Potter all the more appealing for modern viewers. Jesse Plemons as Major Charles Emerson Winchester III Originally Played By: David Ogden Stiers Despite appearing in season 6, Major Charles Emerson Winchester III left an indelible mark on M*A*S*H. The seemingly snobbish surgeon hid his deep-seated fear of dying in duty behind a lofty air of pompousness, though the facade gradually began showing its cracks as the late arrival grew closer to the rest of the MASH. Though it would somewhat play against type, Jesse Plemons would be able to keep up with Winchester's entitlement without sacrificing his humanity. If anything, Plemons would find a way to make Winchester an even more sympathetic character. Moreover, as the sad streak of Plemons' Oscar snubs rages on, him joining a 2026 version of M*A*S*H would have irrefutable Emmy equity. Charlie Bushnell as Corporal Walter "Radar" O'Reilly Originally Played By: Gary Burghoff Corporal Walter "Radar" O'Reilly is by far the youngest member of the 4077th MASH, and that often makes him feel like the unofficial little brother of the group. Of course, the character undergoes major development while being involved in the Korean War, to the point where he leaves his cherished teddy bear behind when he leaves. Nevertheless, there's a naivety and sense of otherness that makes Radar feel incredibly relatable to the viewer. Charlie Bushnell is still paying his dues as a rising star, but the acting chops he's shown on Disney's Percy Jackson and the Olympians is nothing short of excellent. Additionally, Bushnell appears noticeably younger than the rest of the cast, which would serve Radar's character well as a visual reminder of his youth and inexperience.​​​​​​ James McAvoy as Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake Originally Played By: McLean Stevenson Before Potter joined the 4077th, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake was M*A*S*H's first Commanding Officer. Though he was kind and loyal to his underlings, Blake was, for all intents and purposes, a wildly ineffective leader. Despite his shortcomings and rampant indecisiveness, however, Blake was a beloved member of the team, making his shocking death all the more rattling for the characters and audience alike. M*A*S*H was adapted from Richard Hooker's 1968 novel, which was first turned into a 1970 film. While it would be a marked departure from McLean Stevenson's portrayal, James McAvoy would bring a much grittier energy to Henry Blake. The decorated soldier would still be a source of comedic relief, but McAvoy could add a darkness to Blake to highlight the already existing shadows of the character. ​​​​​​ Austin Abrams as Captain John "Trapper" McIntyre Originally Played By: Wayne Rogers Likewise, Captain John "Trapper" McIntyre was an original M*A*S*H character who had a premature— but far less tragic— exit. Initially, Trapper plays second fiddle to Hawkeye's pranks, but he palpably lacks BJ's charisma. Instead, Trapper is prone to bouts of infidelity, immaturity, and, at times, aggression. Still, he was a foundational member of the 4077th whose departure dramatically changed the series. Austin Abrams wouldn't have to work hard to make Trapper more likable in the 2026 version; truthfully, there's an inherent softness to Abrams' screen presence that makes most of his roles easy to root for. That will certainly come in handy in the upcoming Resident Evil movie, but it would also likely make the 2026 version of Trapper a fan-favorite figure despite his many flaws.​​​​​​