Complex sentence: Askwith was not the original choice for the lead role in the "Confessions" films, he was the fourth choice after the role was turned down by the three previous candidates for it, Richard Beckinsale, Richard O'Sullivan and Dennis Waterman.
Split into simpler sentences: Askwith was not the original choice for the lead role in the "Confessions" films. He was the fourth choice after the role was turned down by the three previous candidates for it, Richard Beckinsale, Richard O'Sullivan and Dennis Waterman.