Absolutely!
Ellis Wyatt was better on the screen than in the book, both in the portrayal and the script.
Having a black Eddie was great, it could have been a masterstroke with some good scripting.
What I say is- get the philosophy across, do not agonize over correctness of physical appearance as in the book, nor strict following of plot lines.
Rand's book has a strong message and makes its appeal to higher level intellects (yes, self praise is no praise, but no apology). For a mini series, go for a bigger market.
Now, the book centered on the great minds, the top creative producers, and how attacking them causes all to suffer. That cannot be ignored but for a bigger market give emphasis to the great center, those who work with integrity and skill, who will refuse to steal, who match give and take, whose future relies on the great creatives, who also can be heroes.
There are already enough examples in the book, Eddie of course, Gwen Ives, Jeff Allen, Cheryl, .. Give these people central roles, make Miss Ives black- show the first meeting of her and Eddie, ..
Rand's story shows how it the middle especially that suffer from fake altruistic socialism, I would not cut this, but give the middle some hope, show how Eddie finds the trouble-shooting guide hidden in the loco and brings it in. Show how Gwen Ives reacts, heaving..
Do not divert messages with sex, enough already, let us have some romance to remember,
Each episode must have at least one good laugh, and a story to bring a lump in your throat or tears in your eyes.

Why have something to overcome, blonde hair, that is not necessary to overcome, and is directly addressed in the book.

The actor who played Ragnar wasn't what I expected either, but I believed him.

In AS 1, the actress who played Dagny had blonde hair, the actor who played Ellis Wyatt didn't look anything like in the book, and the actor who played Dr. Akston looked nothing like I had imagined, but all 3 of them nailed the characters and made them real. I think that's more important than one physical characteristic.
On the other hand, Francisco in AS 3 was just too old for it to work.