Taylor hands down. She was perfect.

I did not like Samantha from Part 2. She was too short, dumpy and frumpy to be Dagny. Taylor from Part 1 was better. Dagny is tall, slender, young and beautiful.

I thought both women did a wonderful job, but I liked Taylor more so. If a third different actress is picked, yes I think she should have a grasp of the story. Many people play parts that they do not agree with, but an open minded artist would be able to do it I think. I hope a third is not chosen and one of the first two are able to stay.

Taylor from part one! Same for Hank, in my opinion.

I think Taylor could be good choice, but Ann Coulter would be better!

Taylor by far was much better suited for the story.

TAYLOR NO QUESTION, SHE STARTED IN PART 1, THEY SHOULD HAVE KEPT THE SAME ACTORS.

Taylor did an honest job portraying Dagny. I would love to have seen the Jolie-Pitts version but I think they would have succumbed to the "2 Hour Rule". Ayn Rand never wanted it cut...the cast of ASP1 had more synergy.

No disrespect to Ms Samantha nor to the other cast members of Part 2--but I LOVED the cast of Part 1, and would like to see them back. I guess because I watched Part 1, three times, it was truly a little tough to start all over with new characters. Ms Schilling really fits better for me. Sorry . . .

The cast of part1 were the best could not get into the cast of part 2
Doug

Taylor Schilling

The lead actors in Part 1 had chemistry! Part 2 was flat. Taylor and the original Hank and wife.

Taylor Schilling, Grant Bowler and the entire ASP1 cast

I have a hard time believing anyone actually thought Samantha did a better job, & I can't find anyone here that thinks so. I really liked the P1 cast - especially Taylor as Dagny. P2 was a bit of a disappointment, as Samantha just couldn't measure up (too old, worried, fat, - like "a stressed out mother" - as stated below.) Whoever you cast will be measured against Taylor, so why not just bring her back?

Taylor was much better in the role

Evangeline Lilly, Rachel Bilson , Jolene Blalock, Jennifer Garner, Jessica Alba her is just a few. I personally have married (2) two blue eyed blonds, but Dagny isn't blonde!!!!!!!

The question should be the cast, not just Dagny! The cast in Part one became the characters - I never felt the cast in Part 2 achieved that. PLEASE

The cast from part I was the best. Part 2 was weak- a bad francisco who mouthed the words only, a worse dagny who could have played one of the statists better than Dagny, a non believable Hank Rearden. YOu cant have a series based on a book with different actors from parts 1 thru 3. Just go back to the first batch

Taylor Schilling is my choice. She is really popular right now too thanks to Orange is the New Black. Please bring her back.

Definitely Taylor. If she isn't available, maybe
Angelina Jolie, Jessica Chastain, or Claire Danes.

Taylor part 1 best ... bring her back!!!

I'd like to base my answer on something other than my personal likes or dislikes.

Right now the only examples which I can use to judge an actress actually playing Dagney are those of Taylor Schiling and Samantha Mathis.

Taylor captured the drive.
Samantha captured the pathos.

I would be happy with either, but I would like to see others.

Is there any way that you can post videos of the readings done by other actresses who you are considering so we can judge and comment?

Also, comments from each possible actress of how they see the character of Dagney would be very helpful in making a determination.

I realize that these are unreasonable requests, but hey, I figured the only way it might happen would be for someone to ask.

My vote is for Taylor

Relative age of the characters is a factor. Rearden was in his early 50s, as were the other senior capitalists, while Dagny, James, Francisco, Eddie Willers, John Galt, Ragnar, et al, were of the ascending generation. If Dagny gets younger - Taylor Shilling over Samantha Mathis - then Eddie needs to lose a few years, also - Edi Gathegi versus Richard T. Jones. In fact, of the two, Gathegi had a stronger presence. In his confrontations with James Taggart in the book, Eddie's dialog is supported by narrative and background which the movie cannot deliver directly, but Gathegi did it well with body language and looks. He was quiet but very clear, very easy to read.

Hands down: Taylor.
The critics don't really want to see a superstar carry the Rand message in a successful movie. Go with Taylor!!!