Summary
There are not many living members of thePetticoat Junctioncast left, but the few who are carry on the legacy of the classic CBS sitcom. Premiering in September 1963,Petticoat Junctionlasted for seven seasons and 222 episodes. The series is set at the Shady Rest Hotel, run by Kate Bradley (Bea Benaderet), Kate’s three daughters, and Kate’s Uncle Joe Carson (Edgar Buchanan). Set halfway between the rural community of Hooterville and the small town of Pixley, California, Shady Rest received all kinds of visitors.
Similar toa show likeThe Brady Bunch, the interactions between the Bradley family were the reason to keep coming back to the series. The popularity of the show even led to a spinoff,Green Acres. Beyond its unique setting of a remote bed & breakfast,Petticoat Junctionwas known for its frequent cast changes. Plenty oftelevision shows have gone through recastings, butPetticoat Junctionsaw frequent recastings of the main characters, with one sister being played by three different actresses. Most of the cast has since passed away, but some are still alive.
Lori Saunders As The Second Bobbie Jo Bradley
Date Of Birth: August 25, 2025
Actor:Lori Saunders began her acting career in the television showThe Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, appearing in five episodes as various characters. BeyondPetticoat Junctionand appearances as Bobbie Jo inTheBeverly HillbilliesandGreen Acres, Saunders' most notable performance was inDusty’s Trailas Betsy.Saunders stopped acting in 1980and has since mostly kept out of the public eye.
Mara of the Wilderness(1965)
Captive(1980)
Janet
Character:Saunders wasthe second actress to appear as Bobbie Jo Bradley beginning in season 3 after Pat Woodell left the series. Bobbie Jo, the brunette of the sisters, is the nerdy one of the trio and a lover of books. Later seasons tended to make her more of an airheaded character as well.
Recasting The Brady Bunch Today
Regarding a reboot of The Brady Bunch, there are some great actors that could replace the well-known characters.
Linda Kaye Henning As Betty Jo Bradley
Date Of Birth: July 12, 2025
Actor:Linda Kaye Henning has appeared in numerous television shows over her career, generally in one-episode roles. She played Amanda Mallory inSliders, Doris Woodruff inThe New Gidget, and Joyce Elkins inBarnaby Jones. In film, she appeared inMad About Youas Mrs. Osbourne.Henning stopped acting in 2007and has since kept a low profile.
Sliders(1995-2000)
Amanda Mallory
Character:Betty Jo Bradley, a redhead, is theonly one of the Bradley sisters to be played by the same actress throughout the entire run of the show.In season 5, she becomes Betty Jo Elliot after she marries Steve Elliott (Mike Minor).
Linda Kaye Henning and Mike Minor married in real life in 1968 but divorced in 1973.
Jeannine Riley As The First Billie Jo Bradley
Date Of Birth: June 07, 2025
Actor:Jeannine Riley’s biggest role was inPetticoat Junction, but she also had a recurring role in the seriesDusty’s Trailas Lulu McQueen. Her other notable TV credits includeMy Brother the Angelas Dolores andWagon Trainas Susan Forbes. She also appeared in the filmFever Heatas Sandy Richards. Herlast credited acting role was as the landlady in 1991’sTime Bomb. In 2020, Riley released her bookThe Bolder Woman: It’s About Time, a self-help memoir.
High Mountain Rangers(1988)
Marge Russell
Character:Jeannine Riley was the first person to play Billie Jo Bradley. She wasreplaced by Gunilla Hutton after season 2 when Riley went on to pursue a movie career. Billie Jo was originally played by Riley in the same stereotypical veinas many blond actressesand characters at the time — a boy-crazy, scatterbrained young woman.
Gunilla Hutton As The Second Billie Jo Bradley
Date Of Birth: June 10, 2025
Actor:Swedish-born Gunilla Hutton is an actress and singer with four memorable singles to her name. On television, she appeared in two episodes ofFantasy Islandas different characters, and she played Nora Hayman onThe Love Boat. Hutton also appeared in the filmSwim Teamas Suzanne. Though her last acting performance was in 1981,she continues performing as a singer.
Murder Can Hurt You!(1980)
Raquel
Character:Gunilla Hutton played Billie Jo Bradley in season 3, and was replaced by the late Meredith MacRae in season 4.Hutton’s portrayal of Billie Jo led to the character developing from a “ditzy blonde” stereotype into a strong and independent young woman.
June Lockhart As Dr. Janet Craig
Date Of Birth: August 20, 2025
Actor:June Lockhart has been acting for decades, appearing in major roles in numerous classic TV and movie productions.She got her start at a young agein films likeA Christmas Carolas Belinda Cratchit andMeet Me in St. Louisas Lucille Ballard. On TV, she starred inLassieas Ruth Martin and later had a major role inLost in Spaceas Maureen Robinson. She appeared inthe 2021 NetflixLost in Spacereimagining as June, aka the Voice of Alpha Control. Lockhart has not appeared in any roles since 2021.
Lost in Space(1965-1968)
Maureen Robinson
Character:June Lockhart plays Dr. Janet Craig inPetticoat Junction.Janet was introduced in season 6 to essentially replace Kate Bradley after Bea Benaderet’s untimely death. She opens up a medical practice inside the hotel and counsels the girls on their troubles, much like Kate did before her.
