Hit television shows that take the world by storm do not come around often, and when they do, every performer is both happy and a bit jealous when they see those in the lead roles. Some shows, like The Office and Friends, are able to take relative unknowns and turn them into household names after becoming a huge success.

Annie Murphy is a known commodity now, but back before she landed the role of Alexis Rose on Schitt’s Creek, she was a struggling actress who was on the brink of leaving the profession behind entirely. Thanks to a bit of luck, Murphy was able to land the job of a lifetime.

Let’s take a look at some of the luck that went into Murphy getting the gig!

Abby Elliott Initially Had The Job

It is virtually impossible to predict how a show will turn out on the small screen, but this does not diminish the opportunity that comes with the landing a lead role on an upcoming show. Before Annie Murphy was able to get the job as Alexis Rose on Schitt’s Creek, Abby Elliott actually had the job.

Prior to getting the role of Alexis Rose, Abby Elliott had already put in years on the small screen, most notably on the legendary Saturday Night Live. According to IMDb, Elliott was a cast member from 2008 to 2012 and had appeared in 81 episodes of the famed show, giving her a fan base and an established name.

Not only had Elliott more than held her own on Saturday Night Live, but she had also taken part in other successful projects on the big and small screen alike. Elliott appeared on projects like How I Met Your Mother, 2 Broke Girls, and the film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. These were in secondary roles, so we can only imagine that she was champing at the bit to get a starring gig.

Even though she had Schitt’s Creek in the bag, Elliott wound up leaving the show after deciding to pursue another project on the small screen. This opened the door for other actresses to get the job, including Annie Murphy, who was in dire financial straights at the time.

Related: Here’s Why Dan Levy Stopped Watching Reality TV

At The Time, Murphy Only Had $3 To Her Name

Annie Murphy may be a popular name now, but before Schitt’s Creek, she was not exactly a known commodity. She had been able to land smaller roles, but there was a noticeable gap in work prior to getting the role of Alexis Rose. This was something that put a financial strain on the performer, as she had $3 in her bank account. Not only that, but her apartment had also recently burned down.

When speaking with Kelly Clarkson, Murphy would say, “I had just found myself crying in the Pacific Ocean, a very snotty cry, and the universe was like, ’Don’t do this anymore. This is not for you.”

That’s right, Murphy was on the verge of quitting acting altogether before Dan and Eugene Levy made her the offer of a lifetime. Sure, there was absolutely no way of knowing what the show would turn into, but actors who have been out of work for a few years would be nuts to turn down an offer to star on a show.

In an interview with Marie Claire, Murphy would acknowledge her luck with Elliott dropping out of the job, saying, “Thank God she was a successful actress who had other things to do. I owe my career to Abby’s career.”

Related: Schitt’s Creek Cast: Current Ages, Relationship Statuses, & Net Worths

Schitt’s Creek Changes Everything

Schitt’s Creek is a rare example of a show that only grew in popularity as time went on. Not too many Canadian shows blow up in the states, but low and behold, the great storytelling and characters from Schitt’s Creek wound up winning over audiences in the states once it hit Netflix and was a few seasons in.

Annie Murphy turned out to be a perfect choice to play Alexis Rose, and she shined brightly, especially as the show went on. Many people came to love the character development that Alexis underwent, and Murphy’s comedic timing helped turn a number of lines into ones that fans quote on the regular.

After playing Alexis Rose from 2015 to 2020, Annie Murphy now finds herself in a position to really cash in from other projects. She is not some unknown performer anymore. Instead, she is now someone who was a star and an integral part of a major show’s success, making her exceptionally valuable.

Related: The Unique Inspiration Behind ‘Schitt’s Creek’

It was an unconventional road to get the job, but Annie Murphy stuck it out and changed her life.

Next: Who Was Dan Levy Before ‘Schitt’s Creek’?