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.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.
Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.
The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.
Photo: NBC
There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.
The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.
In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.
Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.
Photo: NBC
Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”
As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”
The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.
So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.
Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?
Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
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THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick Confesses His Drug Problem to Victor; Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, Eric Braeden Bring the Newman Bond
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside
DAYS Stephen Nichols Remembers Drake Hogestyn as the ‘Most Vital, Enthusiastic, Committed Man I Ever Knew’ Ahead of the PanCan PurpleStride Walk
DAYS Stephen Nichols and Co-Stars Walk in Honor of Drake Hogestyn at PanCan PurpleStride LA, ‘I Felt Him With Us’
Brandon Barash Granted Restraining Order Against ‘General Hospital’s’ Kirsten Storms
‘Days of Our Lives’ Rob Scott Wilson Talks ‘Turning Heel’ as Necktie Killer, Ben Weston
Paige Herschell Marks One-Year as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jacinda Bracken
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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
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