News
DARK SHADOWS Sequel In Development By CW
What would a re-imagined Dark Shadows look now in 2020? Well, the CW and Warner Bros Television have made a deal to develop the once uber popular ABC cult classic soap opera that aired from 1966-1971.
Now in development, the new Dark Shadows would be an hourlong. According to Deadline, the pilot will be written by Mark B. Perry (Revenge, Ghost Whisperer and Brothers & Sisters.), so he definitely knows how to write a solid twist and turn soap.
The new Dark Shadows will be a modern-day continuation of the strange, terrifying, and sexy saga of the Collins family of Collinsport, Maine — a mysterious, influential, publicity-shy group hiding a ghastly secret: For the past 400 years, they’ve lived under a curse that bedevils their blue blood with every imaginable supernatural creature and horror.
The most notable and identifiable character of them all, was of course, Barnabas Collins played by Jonathan Frid.
In a statement, Mark Perry said of bringing back Dark Shadows: “As a first-generation fan, it’s been a dream of mine to give Dark Shadows the Star Trek treatment since way back in the ’80s when Next Generation was announced, so I’m beyond thrilled and humbled to be entrusted with this resurrection.” He went on to say: “My plan is to take as few liberties as possible with the Dark Shadows canon, while bearing in mind a quote from a 1970s episode delivered by the inimitable Oscar-nominee Grayson Hall as Dr. Julia Hoffman: ‘The Collins family history is not particularly famous for its accuracy.’”
So excited to see an updated version of Dark Shadows? Who do you hope lands in the cast from the soap world? Comment below.
Just air the original!
All episodes of the original are available on Amazon Prime. They are offered in two segments. Dark Shadows: The Beginnings start from the first episode and run, 35 episodes/season for 6 seasons, up to the introduction of Barnabas. The remainder of the series–with the exception of a lost episode “recreated” with available video, stills, and narration delivered by Lara Parker–start with Barnabas’ introduction and go to the very last episode (25 seasons of 40 episodes each, and the 26th at 19 or 20 episodes). Most, if not all, are also available on Hulu, I think.
Kit. Thank you so much for pointing this out. As a pre-teen ABC was our go to network as soon as we ran down the path and home from school. Watching Meredith Lord die on that snowy balcony on OLTL was my first angry at a soap moment. But Dark Shadows had us truly enthralled and genuinely scared. For years I’d searched for the original first years and I never knew I could have been watching them all along. I remember those original stories veggie Barnabas appeared were enthralling. I liked them more than the time traveling and irritating Julia Hoffman LOL. I watch on Hulu but this is the true origin story for me. I also recently watched the CW unaired pilot. It was OK. Rushed story and some nonsense at the beginning with Victoria on the train I really didn’t like. I fear the story will be rushed here too. I think the best way to reboot is start with Barnabas back story and go to the present day. Much smarter. Thanks again.
Before. Not veggie Barnabas. LOL. Although he turned a lot of characters into vegetables.
I never quite got over Meredith’s death either. Very dramatic–and drawn out because it was in the middle of the Watergate hearings–, but I think it created a hole in the OLTL canvas that was never quite repaired. And I suspect Agnes Nixon did it out of respect for Lynn Benesch Chester, who I’m guessing was planning to leave anyway and move to the west coast. (Not sure if she and Colby Chester were married then or not; she didn’t start performing under the name Chester until later at least.) Much the same reason Mrs. Nixon killed off Jenny Gardner Nelson on All My Children. (Both the characters, Larry and Greg, were never quite as viable after that. Well, except maybe for Larry while married to Karen.)
Modernizing Dark Shadows is a Mistake.
It can not be duplicated nor imitated.
The original Dark Shadows owns its soul.
I believe there will be great disappointments.
It was way before my time but it lives on.
Neighbor purchased the entire series on Amazon $300??
She lent it to me..
I was addicted..
I would watch one episode and couldn’t stop, usually, I needed 4 at a time and looked forward to the next every time!
I was a bit disappointed when it became colorized, that sorta took the atmosphere away.
And!! no ending 🙁 that sucked!
0ooh -the Dark Shadows 2012 movie was a disgrace, it was horrible!!
It was an Insult to the greatness of Dark Shadows..
((will the modern version also be??))
su000…Since I haven’t seen it I won’t have anything to compare it to. But I’m always nervous on reboots. Hope they do it justice. And I agree, about when they colonize something like Dark Shadows. It has to stay b/w. Some of the best semi-horror movies I’ve seem on TCM were always in b/w.
Hopefully it’s better than the awful Twilight Zone reboot.
I have always been a Dark Shadows fan,my favorite character was Angelique played by Lara Parker.I will watch this .
I never saw the original, but have noticed some of MF commenters really liked it. So I’m looking forward to this reboot. Plus Mark Perry liked the comeback treatment of Star Trek my all time favourite.
Music to my ears, as long as it’s done right and not like the parody with Johnny Depp and produced by Tim Burton, a few years ago.
Omg can’t wait this will be so good!
I loved DARK SHADOWS as a kid but absolutely hated Tim Burton’s movie version. The NBC remake got staked in the heart all too soon, so I hope the CW gives this incarnation a chance to bewitch us.
@Rodd….Even though I had very little exposure to the daytime series, I vividly recall the NBC weekly version…it was a properly moody, spooky, evocative primetime soap and I was disappointed when it was cancelled as I thought it had wonderful possibilities! Happily, I never subjected myself to that heinous Burton DS Deppfest, since I cannot stand the actor and all of his innate weirdness, both onscreen and off…However, if a new version would remain loyal to the original show without any of the modern revisionism that seems to afflict all current-day Hollywood reboots, then it could work. How about Michael Easton as the 2020 incarnation of Barnabas Collins??? We already know he can carry off vampire roles with great aplomb!
Hope it’s not awful like the CW version of Dynasty.
As long as we are not subjected to OTT revisionist overhauls of beloved DS characters into modern-day, politically-correct entities, then a reboot could be fun. Given that the CW’s complete hatchet job on the original Dynasty concept was so egregious, I found myself totally turned-off to the 2.0 version before I even turned it on. In other words, it was thanks, but no thanks. Glad I gave it an instant pass and never bothered with it….
OMG! For Satan’s sake, you took the words right out of my mouth!
Loved the original series. It was weird & quirky and the flubs only enhanced it. I still have the Dark Shadows album (vinyl) and the complete set of paperback books based on the series.
Hopefully, this reboot will not tarnish the original. Th Depp movie was just plain horrid. Hated every moment of it.
Michael Easton definitely as Barnabas Collins. He was great as Caleb in Port Charles.
Watched Dark Shadows as a child. Jonathan Frid was creepy and the best Barnabas! Good luck with new casting and I think I would go with 1/2 hour show. But please make a better product than the recent movie by Tim Burton with Johnny Depp. Depp as Barnabas – no way!
cant beat the original. i hope to god they don’t try another ghastly version like nbc did in 1991 with ben cross! that was a sexed up. Wikipedia says it was “a re-imagining” I’ll say. it was dreadful. It only ran Jan- March. it was so good.
The original is best, same for the movies. The original two movies are far superior to the Johnny Depp debacle.
Quit trying to make it something else!
“it was so good” Sarcasm!!
I would love to see a reboot continuation of Dark Shadows starring Ben Cross and the cast.. I really enjoyed this version. The ending was left unfinished. The characters and plots were so engaging.
News
Jensen Ackles to Make His ‘Tracker’ Debut
This Sunday, May 12th, (9pm ET/8pm PT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+), Jensen Ackles (ex-Eric Brady, Days of our Lives, ex-Dean Winchester, Supernatural) makes his first on-screen appearance in his new TV role on Tracker.
Jensen was cast as Russell Shaw, the brother to Justin Hartley’s (ex-Adam Newman, Y&R and Fox Crane, Passions) Colter Shaw.
In the episode entitled “Off the Books”, Colter is forced to team up with his estranged brother, Russell, who enlists his help to track down a former army buddy who’s gone missing after several weeks of paranoid behavior. The investigation takes the brothers into the world of Special Forces missions, shady off-the-books programs and conspiracy theories, all while they contend with their family’s past.
Photo: CBS
Colter’s past with Russell is one of the main themes of the freshman season of Tracker which has been picked up for a second season. Ackles appearance comes in the penultimate episode of season one.
Photo: CBS
Hartley revealed in a post on Instagram two weeks ago that Ackles was coming to Tracker as his brother and he was the perfect person for the part.
Check out a sneak peak of Sunday night’s episode of Tracker below.
So, looking forward to seeing Jensen and Justin together as on-screen brothers on Tracker? Comment below.
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General Hospital
Dee Wallace to Play the Late Jackie Zeman’s On-Screen Sister on ‘The Bay’
The Daytime Emmy-winning streaming series,The Bay, has revealed some major casting news. Former General Hospital guest star, Dee Wallace (ex-Patricia Spencer), who is best known for her roles in the blockbuster films ET and Cujo, is joining the show for its ninth season.
Wallace will take on the role of Charlotte Grace, who in story, happens to be the sister of Sofia Madison, played by the late Jackie Zeman (ex-Bobbie Spencer, GH).
In an intriguing twist, Dee came to General Hospital as the older sister of Luke (Tony Geary) and Bobbie. Patricia was key to the plot in the “Fluke” storyline where GH played out the harrowing backstory that Luke killed both his parents to protect himself and his siblings.
Photo: JPI
Dee was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 2016 for Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series for her work on GH.
Additional casting news from The Bay for season 9 includes: Mack Wilds, best known for his role as Dixon on 90210, joining the show as a recast Will Campbell. The character was last seen in season 3.
Photo: Oliviadabonet
In addition, Olivia d’Abo who played Karen Arnold on the the sitcom, The Wonder Years joins the show in the role of Felicia “Fifi” Garrett-Martin, the daughter of Lex Martin played by Tristan Rogers.
What do you think of Dee Wallace playing the on-screen sister, once again to the late Jackie Zeman on The Bay? Comment below.
American Idol
ABC Renews ‘American Idol’ for Season 8 and ‘The Bachelor’ for Season 29
While Katy Perry is exiting her gig at the judges table on American Idol at the end of this season, that will not stop the show from continuing on. The popular reality-singing competition had been renewed for its 8th season on ABC and its 23rd season overall.
American Idol started on Fox and was given new life at ABC seven years ago. The announcement of the renewal comes ahead of its Season 22 finale set to air on Sunday, May 19th.
As for Perry, she revealed back in February that she is stepping away from the show to pursue other career interests. The show is actively looking for the right chemistry and person to sit alongside judges and music superstars, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, who will be back next season, as will longtime host, Ryan Seacrest.
Photo: ABC
In other renewals, The Bachelor will be back following Joey Graziadei’s ratings winner of a season. The reality-dating competition will serve up its 29th season.
There is no premiere date set, but as has been in the past, the series usually premieres in January of the new year. While ‘Bachelor Nation’ will need to await, just who will be the next ‘Bachelor’, that person will most likely be selected from Jen Tran’s season of The Bachelorette, which is currently in production.
Photo: ABC
Jen’s journey to find love as the lead in The Bachelorette, marks that shows 19th season. It’s set to premiere this summer on July 8th and will again be hosted by Jesse Palmer.
Glad to hear “Idol” is coming back? Who should replace Katy Perry? Are you over ‘The Bachelor’ or did the last season featuring Joey as the lead, reinvigorate your interest in the show? Comment below.
Jensen Ackles to Make His ‘Tracker’ Debut
Dee Wallace to Play the Late Jackie Zeman’s On-Screen Sister on ‘The Bay’
ABC Renews ‘American Idol’ for Season 8 and ‘The Bachelor’ for Season 29
GH’s Adam J. Harrington Reveals the Behind the Scenes Story of Becoming John “Jagger” Cates
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Victor to Jordan: “You’re a Delusional Vicious, Bitch!” But, Is He About to Sic Her on Jack?
John J. York Back at General Hospital
Y&R’s Zuleyka Silver Gets Engaged
Giovanni Mazza Joins General Hospital as Brook Lynn’s Cousin
GH’s Adam J. Harrington Reveals the Behind the Scenes Story of Becoming John “Jagger” Cates
General Hospital Alum Chloe Lanier to Guest Star on ‘Law & Order’
Jensen Ackles to Make His ‘Tracker’ Debut
(INTERVIEW) Y&R’s Peter Bergman Deconstructs Jack’s Desperate Move to Sober Up Nikki, the Repercussions Ahead, and the Loss of TV Mom, Marla Adams
(INTERVIEW) Adam Huss Talks on His Latest GH Return, Maura West, Nicholas Chavez, and Being a Swiftie
Richard Simmons Recalls His Time On General Hospital and Meeting Tony Geary, Genie Francis, Rick Springfield and More
(WATCH) B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang and Annika Noelle Talk Lead Actress Emmy Nominations and Brooke and Hope’s Mother/Daughter Relationship
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