The iconic Gothic soap opera Dark Shadows is being reanimated. Literally.
The ’60s TV show with a massive cult following is being brought back to life by Warner Bros. Animation as an adult animated series that will focus on vampire Barnabas Collins and his dysfunctional family. The Hollywood Reporter broke the news on June 26.
The project is still in its early stages, but before Dark Shadows returns from the grave once again, here’s a look at everything we know about the series, as well as a look at the franchise’s many past lives.
When will Dark Shadows premiere?
The series is in early development, and there are no details on when it will premiere. Please check back here for updates.
What is this Dark Shadows about?
According to the publication, the official log line reads, “Blending gothic, horror, and supernatural genres, this coming adaptation promises all the dark twists and romantic intrigue that defined the transformational series across its 1200-plus episode run.”
Who is behind Dark Shadows?
Lisa Holdsworth will executive produce and be the showrunner on the series. Other exec producers include Cathy Curtis, Tracy Curtis, Eric Homan, Kevin Kolde, and Fred Seibert.
What was the original Dark Shadows about?
Created by Dan Curtis, the original Dark Shadows ran from 1966 to 1971. The soap opera originally followed the wealthy, drama-laden Collins family of Collinsport, Maine, before introducing Barnabas Collins (played by Jonathan Frid) in Episode 211, when a greedy caretaker opened his tomb and unleashed the vampire upon the unsuspecting townsfolk — and the Nielsen ratings.
Originally intended as a temporary character to boost ratings, the centuries-old Barnabas quickly became the show’s breakout star. Driven by his search for his lost love, Josette, Barnabas terrorized the town by kidnapping coffee shop waitress Maggie Evans (Kathryn Leigh Scott) in an attempt to make her his bride. Over time, however, he evolved from a monstrous villain into a tragic antihero and ultimately became the series’ protagonist.
What were the other incarnations of Dark Shadows?
In 1970, there was House of Dark Shadows, a theatrical reimagining of Barnabas Collins’ (starring Frid) introduction and his search for a cure. It was followed by a sequel in 1971, Night of Dark Shadows.
In 1991, there was an attempt to bring back Dark Shadows to nab the Twin Peaks audience, with Ben Cross as Barnabas, Joanna Going as Victoria, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as David Collins. But sadly, it only lasted about a dozen episodes before it met the sun.
In 2012, Tim Burton tried his hand at adapting the property into a movie with his favorite actor of all time, Johnny Depp, in the role of Barnabas Collins. Set in 1972, this Barnabas is a cursed 18th-century vampire who is accidentally unearthed in the ’70s to save his dysfunctional descendants from a vengeful witch. Fans and critics did not care for the remake.