Up until recently, the name MacGyver called to mind an '80's show full of mullets and jean jackets - but thanks to a new revival series, made by the same team behind the original, MacGyver has been rebooted for a whole new generation.
MORE: The reason behind George Eads’ MacGyver exit
But how similar is the cast of CBS's MacGyver to the 1980's series? Keep reading for a side-by-side comparison of the original cast of MacGyver and their modern counterparts...
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Angus MacGyver
In the original series, Angus MacGyver was played by actor Richard Dean Anderson, who is also known for his roles in Stargate SG-1 and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
The reimagining from CBS saw Lucas Till cast as the main character and follows a younger, twentysomething Angus 'Mac' MacGyver as he gets recruited into the clandestine Phoenix Foundation. Before landing the role, the 30-year-old actor starred in the Hannah Montana: The Movie, The Spy Next Door and the X-Men franchise. Viewers might also recognise him from his leading role in the Taylor Swift music video for You Belong with Me.
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Jack Dalton
In the original series, MacGyver's friend Jack Dalton was an aviator with a weakness for get-rich-quick schemes and played by Bruce McGill. In the 2016 reboot, he was reimagined as an ex-soldier turned CIA operative and was played by George Eads, before his surprise exit in season three.
Pete Thornton / Patricia Thornton
One of the biggest changes between the original 1980s series and the CBS reboot is the character of Mac's boss. While in the 1980s show, Dana Elcar played the character, named Pete Thornton, in the new series the character has been gender-swapped and is now Patricia Thornton, played by British actress Sandrine Holt.
Wilt Bozer
While in the original series Wilt Bozer only appeared in a handful of episodes and was played by Robin Mossley, in the new series his character has been given a much bigger role.
As Macgyver's best friend and roommate with a talent for prosthetic makeup, Justin Hires' Wilt ends up getting recruited by the Phoenix Foundation to help create lifelike masks and facial prosthetics.
Dennis Murdoc
Assassin Dennis Murdoc was played by Michael Des Barres in the original series and David Dastmalchian in the reboot. In both portrayals, Murdoc is a master of disguise, creative and highly skilled in the use of booby traps, and fond of weapons.
Fans of the original will have spotted that actor Michael Des Barres actually also appears in the reboot, playing Murdoc's mentor, Nicholas Helman.
Billy Colton
Bounty hunter Billy Colton was played by Cuba Gooding Jr in the original series, just years before his breakthrough role as Tre Styles in Boyz n the Hood. In the new series, he is played by Lance Gross, best known for his role as Calvin Payne on sitcom Tyler Perry's House of Payne.
James MacGyver
In the original series, Angus' dad James MacGyver was played by the late actor Martin Milner. For the reboot, his character was rewritten slightly to be Angus' long lost father. After the death of Angus' mother, he abandoned his family and left the young Angus in the care of his grandfather. He is played by Tate Donovan, who is best known for playing Jimmy Cooper, Marissa's dad in The OC.
Nikki Carpenter
Elyssa Davalos joined the cast of the original MacGyver in the third season as Phoenix Foundation agent Nikki Carpenter. While she and MacGyver often clashed, the two eventually came to respect each other as professionals.
In the 2016 reboot, the character is played by Tracy Spiridakos and is more than just a friend of Mac's: the two are actually exes.
