'' is an
American Prime Time television
Soap Opera that aired on
ABC from
January 12 1981 to
May 11 1989 . The series revolved around the
Carringtons , a wealthy
Oil family living in
Denver ,
Colorado .
Created by
Richard and
Esther Shapiro , the working title for ''Dynasty'' was ''Oil'', and the starring role originally went to
George Peppard . In early drafts of the pilot script the two main families featured in the series, the Carrington and Colby families, were written as Parkhurst and Corby respectively.
Peppard, who had difficulties dealing with the somewhat unsympathetic role of Blake,. In the final production drafts the names Parkhurst and Corby were changed to Carrington and Colby, and their rivalry was written to emulate the
Montague s and
Capulet s of ''
Romeo And Juliet '', that is, crossed in love and war.
The first season, filmed in 1980, was delayed by animosity between the networks and the partnership of the
Screen Actors Guild and the
American Federation Of Television And Radio Artists , which caused a strike. Many new shows were delayed for months, and ''Dynasty'' did not see the light of day on ABC until the first weeks of 1981.
As the series opened, tycoon
Blake Carrington (Forsythe) was about to marry
Krystle Jennings (
Linda Evans ), a younger woman whom he met when she took a job as a secretary at his company, the monolithic Denver-Carrington.
Krystle was young, beautiful and vulnerable, described by Esther Shapiro as "an American Aphrodite." She found a hostile reception in the Carrington household — the staff patronised her, Blake's daughter
Fallon (
Pamela Sue Martin ) resented her, and her husband was too preoccupied with his work. Krystle's only ally in the Carrington house was her stepson, the sexually ambivalent
Steven (
Al Corley ). The young adults of the Carrington dynasty had their own problems. Steven was uneasy about fitting into the mold cast for him as Blake's successor and was constantly in conflict with his father, who refused to accept his son's
Homosexuality . The decadent, ruthless Fallon was Blake's natural heir but unable to enter the Denver-Carrington boardroom because she was a woman; she channelled her energies into toying with various male suitors, such as the Carrington chauffeur
Michael Culhane (
Wayne Northrop ), and being unfaithful to her husband
Jeff Colby (
John James ), whom she had only married as part of a business deal with Jeff's uncle
Cecil (
Lloyd Bochner ).
The first season also heavily featured
Matthew Blaisdel (
Bo Hopkins ), Krystle's first love, who worked for Blake Carrington as a geologist and was unhappily married to the emotionally fragile
Claudia (
Pamela Bellwood ), who had recently spent time in a psychiatric hospital.
The first season was not highly rated, and ABC demanded substantial changes in the show's format; the Shapiros promised this with the appearance of a mysterious witness against Blake during his trial for the murder of Steven's boyfriend
Ted Dinard .
joined the cast]]
In the first episode of the second season, titled "
Enter Alexis ," the mysterious surprise witness from the previous season's finale removed her sunglasses to reveal
British actress
Joan Collins as a dynamic new arrival to the series. Collins'
Alexis Carrington blazed a trail across the show and its storylines; the additions of Collins and the "formidable writing team" of
Eileen and
Robert Mason Pollock are generally credited with ''Dynasty'' 's subsequent rise in the
Nielsen Ratings .
Schemering, Christopher . ''
The Soap Opera Encyclopedia '',
September 1985 , pg. 80-81, ISBN 0-345-32459-5 (1st edition) By the end of the 1981-1982 season ''Dynasty'' entered the Top 20, and eventually hit #1 in 1985. The Pollocks "soft-pedaled the business angle" of the show and "bombarded viewers with every
Soap Opera staple in the book, presented at such a fast clip that a new tragedy seemed to befall the
Carrington Family every five minutes."Schemering, C. ''The Soap Opera Encyclopedia'', pg. 81 With ''Dynasty'' 's popularity soaring, former
President Gerald Ford guest-starred as himself in 1983 along with wife
Betty and
Henry Kissinger .
With Alexis settled as Krystle's implacable nemesis, stepmother and stepdaughter Fallon settled their differences, forging a bond which riled the displaced and resentful Alexis even further.
Collins would become the most celebrated female television star of the 1980s, and Alexis its most infamous
Clotheshorse . The on-screen adversarial chemistry between Collins and Linda Evans, most evident in the early seasons, set tongues wagging very quickly; 'Alexis and Krystle' would become metaphorical for women, opposite in nature, battling over a man, a bank-balance, a legacy.
In the seasons that followed, the rivalry between Blake Carrington's current and former wives became a driver for the melodrama. Alexis resented Krystle's supplanting of her position as mistress of the Carrington household and tried to undermine her at every opportunity.
Alexis caused Krystle's miscarriage and tried repeatedly to ruin her marriage, most notably by finding Krystle's former husband (Samuel) Mark Jennings (
Geoffrey Scott ) and proving that their divorce was never finalized (and that, consequently, Krystle's marriage to Blake was invalid).
They had many verbal confrontations. On one occasion Krystle overheard Alexis gossiping about her in an adjoining cubicle at the beauty parlour. Krystle appeared and announced that she too could "throw mud", and tossed a bowl of face mud over Alexis.
But their rivalry is best remembered in a handful of trademark '') in a fashion studio. The verbal spars between Krystle and Alexis also marked one of the first times the word "
Bitch " was used on US television; the series made the use of the word more socially acceptable.
'Krystle and Alexis' would quickly become perhaps the ultimate classic feminine television rivalry, fueled by the crackling anti-chemistry between actresses Linda Evans and Joan Collins.
In the television special ''Dynasty Reunion: Catfights & Caviar'', Joan Collins noted that all of her stunt work, including the fight sequences, was done by a body-double.
Perhaps the most memorable aspects of the series, outside the high-
Camp scripts from the Shapiros and the Pollocks, were a stream of infamous
Cliffhanger storylines.
The second season cliffhanger saw Blake left for dead on a mountain after a fight with Nick Toscanni (
James Farentino ), the third involved Alexis and Krystle being lured to Steven's cabin one night and locked inside while the cabin was set ablaze by an unseen arsonist (later revealed to be Joseph, the butler and Kirby's father). The fourth saw the disappearance of Fallon just before her second wedding to Jeff (to accommodate the departure of Pamela Sue Martin from the series) and Alexis being accused of murder and imprisoned in a cell full of "ladies of the night".
The most famous ''Dynasty'' cliffhanger is the so-called "Moldavian massacre", when Blake's youngest daughter
Amanda Carrington (
Catherine Oxenberg ) married
Prince Michael Of Moldavia (
Michael Praed ) on the eve of a military revolution in his country. Although the massacre itself (arrived at by writer Camille Marchetta, who had devised the wildly-successful 'Who Shot J.R.?' scenario on "Dallas" five years earlier) had superb production qualities and became the most talked-about episode of any TV series during the calendar year of 1985, it is nonetheless largely remembered for its disappointing resolution four months later.
Nearly every character was in attendance at the royal wedding in the season's final episode which aired in May
1985 . At the conclusion of the wedding, revolutionaries stormed in, apparently gunning down everyone in the chapel. The final scene of the episode, with nearly every character on the ground appearing lifeless, gave the impression that anyone could have died, and in the summer that followed many magazines published stories speculating about which characters would survive the massacre.
When the series resumed in the fall viewers quickly learned the outcome of the fifth season finale. The underwhelming resolution disenchanted fans who felt the storyline had built to nothing, and it is frequently cited as the moment when the series "
Jumped The Shark ". In the 2006
CBS special ''Dynasty Reunion: Catfights & Caviar'', Gordon Thomson reiterated that it was the ''follow-up'' that was the letdown, not the cliffhanger itself. Joan Collins had been conspicuously absent from the season six opener; she was in a tense contract renegotiation with the show, seeking an increased salary. As a result, the first episode had to be rewritten to explain her absence and many scenes were abandoned or given to other characters. Collins' demands were met (she reportedly signed a $60,000 per episode contract) and she returned to the series in the season's second episode, though a planned storyline to make her Queen of Moldavia was scrapped.
Aside from the glamour and campy drama, the show's later years were remembered for the controversy surrounding a storyline involving former matinee idol
Rock Hudson as Daniel Reece, a character who enjoyed a romantic interaction with Krystle Carrington. Hudson's scenes required him to kiss Linda Evans and, as news that he had contracted
AIDS broke, there was speculation Evans would be at risk. (Miss Evans, as it would turn out, was fine).
The lackluster reaction to the 1985 Moldavian conclusion at the onset of season six, combined with a poorly-received dual role for Evans (as Krystle and as Rita, an actress impersonating Krystle for 11 episodes) that same year, the difficult recasting of key character Fallon (now played by
Emma Samms ), and excessive time spent introducing characters to be spun off onto ''
The Colbys '', instigated a ratings slump.
Other factors perhaps account for the fast ratings decline. These include the revival of
Situation Comedy series, especially on NBC, whose ''
Cosby Show '' took the number one position from ''Dynasty'' in the 1985-86 season. Another comedy, ''
Cheers '', which was consistently in the top ten from 1985 until 1993, aired opposite ''Dynasty'' in the 1988-89 season after ''Dynasty'' was moved to a new Thursday night timeslot. The late 1980s also saw realistic, low-key dramas such as ''
Thirtysomething '' gaining favor.
After the characters returned from Moldavia, Blake spurned Alexis and in retaliation she found his long-departed brother Ben (
Christopher Cazenove ) and they swindled Blake out of his fortune. An enraged Blake tried to strangle Alexis to death at the Carrington mansion (which now belonged to Alexis) as the season cliffhanger, just as the hotel La Mirage burned down, killing Claudia. In an interesting turn, the fire at La Mirage caused Amanda to fall into the pool outside the hotel, and when she was pulled out in the next season opener, she was suddenly played by a different actress, and no longer spoke with a British accent. (Oxenberg had left the show after failed contract negotiations.)
During the seventh season, Blake recovered his money, but was rendered an amnesiac in an explosion. Alexis found him and convinced him they were still married, but felt guilty and told him the truth. Blake and Krystle also had to deal with their daughter Krystina (
Jessica Player ) being kidnapped. Other stories in that season featured Adam's romance with Dana Waring (
Leann Hunley ), Sammy Jo's doomed marriage to Clay Fallmont (
Ted McGinley ) and reconciliation with Steven (who had recently broken up with closeted politician Bart Fallmont (
Kevin Conroy ). Also, Amanda suddenly vanished from the show mid-season. A letter left by her explained that she went back to London, and her character was never heard from again. (In reality, Karen Celini, the actress who replaced Catherine Oxenberg, was dismissed from the show due to a poor fan reaction to the new actress playing the role, and the producers did not want to recast the role for a second time in less than a year.) The season ended with Matthew Blaisdel and a gang of gun-toting South American guerillas gatecrashing Adam and Dana's wedding reception and taking the family hostage; while Alexis drove her car off a bridge into a river.
When ''
The Colbys '' was cancelled, Fallon and Jeff returned for the 1987-1988 season. Steven killed Matthew, revealing his "dark side." Alexis was rescued by Sean Rowan, a mystery man whom she later married. Blake and Alexis each ran for governor of Colorado (they both lost to a third-party candidate); Alexis suffered at the hands of Sean (
James Healey ) (who planned to kill her due to her part in the death of his father, Joseph, the former Carrington butler); and Steven's reconciliation with Sammy Jo collapsed due to her affair with drug-addicted football player Josh Harris (
Tom Schanley ). The 8th season ended with Sean and Dex fighting in Alexis's penthouse when a shot rang out (it would be Sean who died); Sammy-Jo accepting Jeff's proposal while Fallon hid in his bedroom; and Blake returning home to find his bedroom trashed and Krystle missing.
In the 9th and final 1988-1989 season, despite the introduction of a new executive producer who rejuvenated the show and a team of writers who improved the story quality arguably for the first time in years, the ratings plummeted for good. Linda Evans departed the series within a few weeks; Krystle Carrington was sent to
Switzerland for emergency surgery, where she fell into a coma, with the door left open for Evans to return at a later stage. In a money-saving move, Joan Collins was contracted for only 13 out of the season's 22 episodes. Former ''Colbys'' cast member,
Stephanie Beacham , was brought in to reprise her role as firecracker Sable Colby (
Tracy Scoggins also returned to her role as Sable's daughter Monica), written into ''Dynasty'' as a new antagonist for Alexis to battle against. Beacham's performance won praise and caused many to deem the final season as the best of the series' later years.
Joan Collins and Michael Nader both announced that they would leave ''Dynasty'' at the end of the ninth season while it was rumored that Diahann Carroll was asked to return to the series for a potential tenth season. But after moving the series to a new Thursday night slot which proved unsuccessful, ABC pulled the plug in 1989. Fittingly, the show ended on a cliffhanger, with both Blake and Alexis in mortal peril (Blake being shot in the chest and Alexis and Dex Dexter(
Michael Nader ) falling off a hotel balcony when the guardrail protecting them broke) and the rest of the cast in similar life-threatening situations.
A spin-off, ''
The Colbys '', debuted in 1985 as Fallon "returned from the dead" and ex-husband Jeff followed her to
Los Angeles , where they became embroiled in the family intrigues of Jeff's wealthy
California relatives. Pamela Sue Martin had been asked to reprise the role of Fallon, but declined; the unpopular show lasted for just two seasons, ending in 1987, and both Fallon and Jeff returned to ''Dynasty''.
A miniseries, '''', aired in October 1991. Billed as a wrap-up for the dangling plotlines left by the series' abrupt cancellation 2 1/2 years earlier, ''The Reunion'' wasn't produced by the same team as the final season and created more loose ends.
The cable channel
SOAPnet aired repeats of all nine seasons. In
January 2004 , creator Esther Shapiro participated in a marathon of the show's episodes, called "Serial Bowl: Alexis vs. Krystle", giving behind-the-scenes tidbits and factoids.
On ). Furthermore, the TV movie made no reference at all to long-running characters Fallon Carrington, Adam Carrington, Jeff Colby, and Claudia Blaisdel.
On . It assembled for the first time all the original actors who played the Carrington children (Pamela Sue Martin, Al Corley, Gordon Thomson, and Catherine Oxenberg), who reminisced about making the show with other former cast members, including John Forsythe, Joan Collins and Linda Evans. The special was filmed at the
Filoli mansion. It was the first time Martin and Oxenberg, as well as Corley and Thomson, shared screen time.
as Blake]]
;
Blake Alexander Carrington (
John Forsythe (), 1981-1989; 1991)
:Patriarch of the
Carrington Family and self-made CEO of monolithic Denver-Carrington, oil tycoon Blake's marriage to Krystle Grant Jennings brings his adult children Fallon and Steven home to Denver. The later reappearance of first wife Alexis Morell Carrington further complicates his life. Initially a ruthless man in both business and family matters, the character soon softens into a more benevolent figure due to the influence of actor Forsythe.
as Krystle]]
;
Krystle Grant Jennings Carrington (
Linda Evans (), 1981-1989; 1991)
:The new wife of Blake Carrington, and one-time lover of
Matthew Blaisdel , a married geologist who works for Denver-Carrington. At first given an icy reception by Blake's daughter Fallon, Krystle later gains a fierce nemesis in Alexis, Blake's first wife.
as Alexis]]
;
Alexis Morell Carrington Colby Dexter Rowan (
Joan Collins , 1981-1989; 1991)
:Blake's first wife and mother to his four eldest children. A former socialite turned businesswoman, her schemes to destroy Blake, undermine Krystle and control her children drive much of the action over the series' run.
as Fallon]]
;
Fallon Carrington Colby (
Pamela Sue Martin (), 1981-1984; then
Emma Samms , 1985, 1987-1989, 1991)
:The eldest daughter of Blake and Alexis, the wife of Jeff Colby and the mother, with Jeff, of Blake Carrington Colby (known as LB) and Lauren Constance Colby. As a young woman, she was famously indiscreet and enjoyed affairs with chauffer ''. That series was cancelled after two seasons, and Fallon and Jeff were returned to ''Dynasty'' in 1987. In the storyline, Jeff found Fallon unconscious in the desert (after being dropped off by a
UFO ), and they returned to Denver where Fallon fought with Sammy Jo over Jeff before dropping Jeff for good and becoming involved with cop John Zorelli (
Ray Abruzzo ) who helped her unlock her memories of Roger Grimes' murder. Samms was unpopular with many viewers, due in some part to the writing, which presented Fallon at this time as a teary-eyed, put-upon victim. In the show's final season, Fallon was written more like the feisty original character, and Samms rose to the challenge.
as Steven]]
;
Steven Daniel Carrington (
Al Corley (, 1981-1982, 1991; then
Jack Coleman , 1983-1988)
:The sexually confused, third born, and younger son of Blake and Alexis who, despite his conviction that he was homosexual, married-at times, happily-Sammy Jo Dean and Claudia Blaisdel. With Sammy Jo, he fathered Steven Daniel Carrington (known as Danny). At different times, the lover of Ted Dinard (who Blake accidentally killed), Luke Fuller (who died in the Moldavian massacre) and Bart Fallmont. He was accused of having an affair with his friend, lawyer Chris Deegan (
Grant Goodeve ), but their relationship was never clarified. (And Steven denied it.) The role was recast during the series run, and the change of appearance was explained by plastic surgery after an oil rig explosion. Steven eventually ended up with Bart Fallmont in the reunion movie.
as Adam]]
;
Adam Alexander Carrington (
Gordon Thomson , 1982-1989; later
Robin Sachs , 1991 only)
:First born, kidnapped at birth and raised as Michael Torrance in Billings, Montana, Adam Carrington did not learn of his true identity until adulthood, at which point he returned to the Carrington home. Married to Claudia Blaisdel and Dana Waring, he was a ruthless schemer — constantly plotting to enhance his position in the dynasty. His only lasting relationship was with Kirby Anders. The character of Adam was not seen nor mentioned in the first season of ''Dynasty'', and was introduced in the third season as a replacement son for Blake and Alexis to squabble over after the character of Steven was written out of the series. Steven was later returned to the storyline, though the character of Adam had proved to be a success and was retained in the series until its close. Adam was also featured in the 1991 ''Dynasty'' reunion movie, however the role was recast as Thomson could not get out of his contract with ''
Santa Barbara ''. Adam reunited with Kirby.
as Amanda (with
Michael Praed )]]
;
Amanda (Bedford) Carrington (
Catherine Oxenberg , 1984-1986; then
Karen Cellini , 1986-1987)
:Amanda was not seen or heard-of in the series until the fifth season; the character was devised as a replacement for the departing Fallon. Amanda was the second daughter (last born of four) of Blake and Alexis, raised in
London as Amanda Bedford by Alexis' cousin Rosalind Bedford (
Juliet Mills ). She was hidden from her father Blake out of spite by Alexis, who discovered she was pregnant after she separated from her husband. Married to Prince Michael of Moldavia, and onetime lover of Dex Dexter (on whom she had a crush), Clay Fallmont and chauffeur
Michael Culhane (again played by
Wayne Northrop ). The role was re-cast after Oxenberg left the series when her demands for a payrise were not met, and no on air explanation was given for Amanda's change in appearance. The replacement actor, Karen Cellini, proved to be unpopular and partway through Cellini's first season in the role the character was abruptly written out of the series; Amanda was never heard from again. In Soap Opera Digest dated December 16, 1986, Cellini revealed that killing off Amanda was planned, although the scene was never shown.
as Jeff]]
;
Jeffrey Broderick Colby (
John James (), 1981-1985, 1987-1989; 1991)
:The nephew and protege of Cecil Colby. Born to Philip and Francesca Colby, he was raised by Cecil on the Colby estate in Denver, Nine Oaks (which neighbored the Carrington estate) because his father died before coming into his inheritance. Married to Fallon Carrington and briefly to Kirby Anders, he was the father of Blake Carrington Colby (known as LB) and Lauren Constance Colby. At different times, he was involved with Nicole Simpson (
Susan Scannell ), Lady Ashley Mitchell (
Ali MacGraw ).
as Claudia]]
;
Claudia Barrows Blaisdel Carrington (
Pamela Bellwood (), 1981-1986)
:The emotionally fragile wife of Matthew Blaisdel, mother of Lindsay, and at one time a close friend of Krystle. ''Dynasty'' creator Esther Shapiro felt Blaisdel was the "everywoman" of the show. When introduced, Claudia had recently been released from a psychiatric hospital. She befriended Steven and they soon had an affair. Forced to confess on the stand at Blake's murder trial, Matthew left her. She married Steven, but when she found out her daughter Lindsay had died, she became unhinged and was sent off to a hospital again. She returned and resumed her relationship with Steven. Eventually the marriage ended over Steven's sexual confusion and Claudia became involved with and married Adam. After that marriage fizzled, Claudia became unhinged again and died in a fire she accidentally set at Fallon's hotel, La Mirage.
as Sammy Jo]]
;
Samantha Josephine "Sammy Jo" Dean Reece Carrington Fallmont , (
Heather Locklear , 1981-1989, 1991)
:Greedy, trouble-making yet beautiful niece of Krystle Carrington, wife of Steven Carrington and Clay Fallmont, and mother of Danny Carrington. It is later revealed that she is the daughter of Daniel Reece, played by
Rock Hudson . The show's secondary villainess for much of the show's run, Sammy Jo is an amateur compared to the far more polished Alexis. Locklear split her time between ''Dynasty'' and another Spelling-produced series, ''
T.J. Hooker ''.
as Dominique]]
;
Dominique Deveraux (
Diahann Carroll , 1984-1987)
:Successful and wealthy chanteuse; illegitimate daughter of
Tom Carrington and Laura Matthews and thus half-sister to Blake and
Ben Carrington .
;
Farnsworth "Dex" Dexter (
Michael Nader , 1983-1989)
:Alexis' third husband, and arguably the second great love of her life, after Blake. Dex carries on a brief affair with Alexis' daughter Amanda, which strains the relationship between mother and daughter and ultimately ends his marriage.
;
Dana Waring Carrington (
Leann Hunley 1986 - 1988)
:Blake's beautiful and loyal assistant at Denver-Carrington. She and Adam fall and love and marry, but dark secrets, Adam's struggle with alcohol and their struggle to have a child strains their marriage irrevocably.
;
Benjamin "Ben" Carrington (
Christopher Cazenove , 1986-1987)
:The vengeful brother of Blake, who was cut off by Blake after the death of their mother. Alexis brings him to Denver to stir up trouble and help her destroy Blake.
as Sable]]
;Sabella "Sable" Scott Colby (
Stephanie Beacham , 1988 - 1989)
:The ex-wife of Colby Enterprises magnate
Jason Colby and the cousin of Alexis. Sable leaves Los Angeles and comes to Denver, where she supports Blake after Krystle's departure to a Swiss clinic. Sable becomes a formidable opponent of Alexis by getting her hands on the Carlton Hotel, Alexis' oil tankers and her former husband Dex (and even becoming pregnant with his child). Former top bitch of ''Dynasty'' spin-off, ''The Colbys'', Sable was written into the final season of the series due to the great popularity of the character. It is also later revealed that her twins Miles and Monica are the product of a rape suffered soon after she had married Jason Colby. She passed the children off as Jason's; Alexis found out, and decades later betrays her cousin's trust and reveals the truth. This results in a vicious public catfight.
;Monica Scott Colby (
Tracy Scoggins , 1988 - 1989)
:The half-sister of Jeff Colby and the daughter of Sable, Monica follows her mother to Denver, helping her in her efforts to fight Alexis. Monica had previously been a character on ''The Colbys''.
;
Leslie Saunders Carrington (
Terri Garber , 1987 - 1988)
:Daughter of Ben Carrington and Melissa Saunders. During her short stay in Denver, she managed to become the lover of Dex Dexter,
Michael Culhane , Jeff Colby,
Sean Rowan and
Clay Fallmont .
;
Matthew Thomas Blaisdel (
Bo Hopkins (), 1981; 1987)
:Denver-Carrington geologist and former love of Krystle Carrington. Married to the emotionally fragile Claudia, with whom he shares a teenaged daughter,
Lindsay .
;
Cecil Baldwin Colby (
Lloyd Bochner (), 1981-1982)
:The uncle of Jeff Colby, Cecil is a longtime friend and business rival of Blake Carrington.
;
Michael Culhane (
Wayne Northrop (), 1981; 1986-1987)
:Blake Carrington's shady chauffeur, secretly having an affair with Fallon.
;
Joseph Arlington Anders (
Lee Bergere (), 1981-1983)
:The Carringtons' longtime
Majordomo . Staunchly loyal to Blake Carrington, Joseph takes an immediate dislike to his new bride Krystle.
;
Lindsay Blaisdel (
Katy Kurtzman (), 1981)
:The sensitive teenaged daughter of Matthew and Claudia.
;Walter Lankershim (
Dale Robertson (), 1981)
:Veteran wildcatter, friend to Matthew Blaisdel and in conflict with Blake Carrington.
;
Dr. Nick Toscanni (
James Farentino , 1981-1982)
:Psychiatrist and surgeon, out for revenge against Blake Carrington. He romances Fallon and eventually leaves town after leaving Blake to die at the bottom of a cliff.
;
Kirby Alicia Anders Colby (
Kathleen Beller , 1982-1984, 1991)
:The daughter of Joseph Anders, the Carrington major-domo. Schooled in Europe at Blake Carrington's expense, she returns to Denver in 1982. She marries Jeff but is pregnant with Adam's baby; Alexis' meddling later prevents her from marrying Adam. Kirby leaves town, but returns in ''Dynasty: The Reunion'' and reunites with Adam.
;
Samuel "Mark" Howard Jennings (
Geoffrey Scott , 1982-1984)
:Handsome tennis pro and former husband of Krystle Carrington is brought to Denver due to the machinations of Alexis, who wishes to break up Blake and Krystle's marriage. He romances both Alexis and Fallon, but later dies after being pushed off Alexis' balcony.
;Tracy Kendall (
Deborah Adair , 1983-1984)
:Public relations employee of Denver-Carrington. Scheming and ambitious, Tracy seeks to advance her career either by subterfuge or by sleeping her way to the top. She acts as a spy for Alexis, but is dismissed after she is exposed.
;Peter De Vilbis (
Helmut Berger , 1983-1984)
:Devilish playboy who seduces Fallon while trying to exploit the Carringtons for his own financial advantage. He dies in an offscreen helicopter crash.
;Brady Lloyd (
Billy Dee Williams , 1984-1985)
:Husband of Dominique Deveraux who follows her to Denver. After growing tired of his wife's schemes against the Carringtons, he leaves town and divorces her.
;Daniel Reece (
Rock Hudson , 1984-1985)
:Wealthy businessman and the real father of Sammy Jo. He has a past with Krystle, and later dies offscreen in a military operation, leaving his fortune to his daughter.
;Lady Ashley Mitchell (
Ali McGraw , 1984-1985)
:American-born widow of British diplomat Lord Maynard Mitchell and renowned photographer for World Finance Magazine. Ashley has has romantic feelings for Blake Carrington and assists him in battling Alexis for the control of valuable South China oil leases.
;
Prince Michael Of Moldavia (
Michael Praed , 1985-1986)
:The heir to the (fictional) European kingdom of Moldavia, Michael becomes romantically involved with Amanda Carrington, whose mother Alexis schemes for them to wed.
;Joel Abrigore (
George Hamilton , 1985-1986)
:Film director who plots with Sammy Jo to arrange the kidnapping of Krystle. After the scheme is exposed, he skips town.
;Garrett Boydston (
Ken Howard , 1985-1986)
:Lawyer for the Colby family (and a regular on ''The Colbys''). He has a romantic past with Dominique.
;Miles Andrew Colby (
Maxwell Caulfield , 1985-1986, 1991)
:The spoilt, hot-headed son of Jason and Sable Colby and twin brother of Monica Colby. Miles is a major character on the spin-off series ''The Colbys''.
as Caress]]
;
Cassandra "Caress" Morell (
Kate O'Mara , 1986)
:The manipulative sister of Alexis. Rescued from a South American prison by Dex Dexter, she is reunited with her sister in Denver.
;
Clay Fallmont (
Ted McGinley , 1986-1987)
:The son of Senator
Buck and
Emily Fallmont , Clay engages in affairs with Amanda, Sammy Jo and Leslie Carrington.
;Sarah Curtis (
Cassie Yates , 1987)
:Friend of Dex Dexter, whose husband and daughter die in a car crash. Sarah is persuaded to allow her daughter's heart to be transplanted into Blake and Krystle's critically ill young daughter Krystina. She becomes obsessed with Krystina and kidnaps her, later returning the girl and leaving town to get help.
;
Sean Rowan Anders (
James Healey , 1987-1988)
:Handsome stranger who saves Alexis from drowning after a car accident, and becomes her fourth husband.
;
Jeanette Robbins (
Virginia Hawkins , 1981-1989; 1991)
:The Carrington housekeeper.
;
Gerard (
William Beckley , 1981-1989; 1991)
:The Carrington butler.
;
Hilda Gunnerson (
Betty Harford , 1981-1989; 1991)
:The Carrington cook.
;D.A. Jake Dunham (
Brian Dennehy , 1981)
:Prosecutor who tries Blake's case regarding the death of
Ted Dinard .
;
Ted Dinard (
Mark Withers , 1981)
:Steven's boyfriend, accidentally killed by Blake.
;Ray Bonning (
Lance LeGault , 1981-1982)
;Rashid Ahmed (
John Saxon , 1982-1984)
;
Congressman Neal McVane (
Paul Burke , 1982-1984; 1987; 1988)
;Morgan Hess (
Hank Brandt , 1982 - 1988)
:Private investigator who pops up from time to time, usually working for Alexis.
;Gerald Wilson (
John Larch , 1982-1988)
:ColbyCo employee.
;Tony Driscoll (
Paul Keenan , 1982-1984)
:The Carrington groundsman.
;Dr. Jonas Edwards (
Robert Symonds , 1982-1987)
;Chris Deegan (
Grant Goodeve , 1983-1987)
:Gay lawyer friend of Steven's.
;Gordon Wales (
James Sutorius , 1984-1988)
;
Luke Fuller (
Billy Campbell , 1984-1985)
:During his marriage to Claudia, Steven finds himself attracted to coworker Luke.
;Dean Caldwell (
Richard Hatch , 1984-1985)
;Nicole Simpson (
Susan Scannell , 1984 - 1985)
:Ex-wife of Peter De Vilbis. Marries Jeff Colby her, but her lies strain their relationship and she eventually leaves town.
;
King Galen Of Moldavia (
Joel Fabiani , 1985 - 1986)
:Prince Michael's father and old friend of Alexis Colby.
;Nick Kimball (
Richard Lawson , 1985 - 1986)
:Romances Dominique and convinces her to leave town with him.
;
Bart Fallmont (
Kevin Conroy , 1985-1986)
:Clashes with Steven on environmental issues with Denver-Carrington, but the two cannot ignore their attraction.
;Elena, Duchess of Branagh (
Kerry Armstrong , 1985-1986)
:Former flame of Price Michael.
;Jonathan Lake (
Calvin Lockhart , 1985-1986)
;Jackie Deveraux (
Troy Beyer , 1986-1987)
:Daughter of Dominique.
;
Emily Fallmont (
Pat Crowley , 1986)
:Bart and Clay's mother, it is revealed she had an affair with Ben Carrington years ago, raising the question of Clay's parentage.
;
Buck Fallmont (
Richard Anderson , 1986-1987)
:Senator Buck Fallmont disapproves of his son Bart's homosexuality and later disowns his son Clay after he finds out about his wife's indiscretion.
;Karen Atkinson (
Stephanie Dunham , 1987-1988)
;Jesse Atkinson (
Christopher Allport , 1987-1988)
;Josh Harris (
Tom Schanley , 1987-1988)
;Sgt. John Zorelli (
Ray Abruzzo , 1988-1989)
:John is a cop who becomes involved with Fallon. He is investigating the murder of Roger Grimes, whom Fallon accidentally killed.
;Joanna Sills (
Kim Terry , 1988-1989)
;Rudy Richards (
Lou Beatty Jr. , 1988-1989)
;Virginia Metheny (
Liza Morrow , 1988-1989)
;Father Tanner McBride (
Kevin Bernhardt , 1989)
;Captain William Handler (
John Brandon , 1988-1989)
:The crooked cop who shoots Blake in the series finale after his schemes are exposed.
The mansion that appeared as the Carrington mansion in the opening credits, establishing shots and some outdoor scenes is not actually in Colorado, where ''Dynasty'' was set; it is the
Filoli estate in
Woodside ,
California . The mansion can be seen with the same decor as it had in ''Dynasty'' in
Warren Beatty 's
1978 film ''
Heaven Can Wait ''. Many exterior shots of the Carrington mansion (including the Lily Pond catfight) were shot at a house called Arden Villa. It has also been used in films, television series, and music videos.
John Forsythe was the only cast member to appear in all 220 episodes of the series, and both Forsythe and John James were the only two original cast members to appear in the final episode. Linda Evans appeared in the next highest number of episodes, for a total of 204 of the 220 episodes. She missed two episodes from the 1981-1982 season, and appeared in only six episodes of the ninth season before leaving the series.
''Dynasty'' has inspired a rash of parodies, imitations and homages. A sequence in the mid-1990s the sitcom ''
The Nanny '' featured Fran (
Fran Drescher ) and her rival CC (
Lauren Lane ) as Alexis and Krystle with Maxwell Sheffield (
Charles Shaughnessy ) as Blake. This scene quickly degenerated into a catfight between the two women. Collins herself appeared in another episode as Maxwell's stepmother, a maid who had married her boss with hints she may have been somewhat of a gold-digger. The sitcom ''
Roseanne '' featured a storyline about a prince from Maldavia (played by
Jim Varney ) who dated Jackie for a while. Joan Collins would also appear in the series, playing Roseanne's nouveaux riche cousin Ronnie. ''Dynasty'' was also referenced in an episode of ''
American Dad! '', where it was Roger the Alien's favorite TV show. The characters did nothing but slap each other and hurl insults (
Bitch !
Slut ! Bitch! Slut!). Finally, in an episode of ''
Histeria! '' about the history of
China ,
Miss Information mistakenly refers to this program when defining the word "dynasty".
In the
1988 film ''
Big Business '', one of
Bette Midler 's characters is obsessed with ''Dynasty''. She rehearses a speech by imitating Alexis in a scene from the show, and later quotes Alexis in the film's denouement. Some
Drag Queens in the 1990 documentary ''
Paris Is Burning '' stated that they wished to be and live like the female leads on the show.
A much-discussed ''
MAD Magazine '' parody, ''Die-Nasty'' appeared in Issue #256, in July of 1985, and pop musician
Prince mentioned the series ("You don't have to watch ''Dynasty'' to have an attitude") in his hit 1986 song "
Kiss ", from the album ''
Parade ''.
The creations of series costume designer
Nolan Miller became so popular that ''Dynasty'' spawned its own line of women's apparelSchemering, C. ''The Soap Opera Encyclopedia'', pg. 81 called "The ''Dynasty'' Collection" — a series of
Haute Couture designs based on costumes worn by Joan Collins, Linda Evans and Diahann Carroll.
Christopher Schemering 's ''
The Soap Opera Encyclopedia '' notes that later, "capitalizing on that success, the show put out a men's fashion line, ''Dynasty'' sheets and towels, 'Forever Krystle' perfume, dolls, and — in keeping with the nothing-is-sacred spirit of the show — even wall-to-wall carpeting and panty hose."Schemering, C. ''The Soap Opera Encyclopedia'', pg. 81
In addition, the
Crystal Light beverage hired Linda Evans as a spokesperson due to her character's name on ''Dynasty''.
Two fictional novels were published, based on scripts from early episodes — ''Dynasty''Lottman, Eileen. ''Dynasty'', 1983, , 150 pg. ISBN 0-385-19525-7. which included an introduction by Esther Shapiro. ''The Authorized Biography'' featured storyline synopses in the form of extended biographies of the main characters, descriptions of primary locations (like the Carrington Estate and La Mirage) and dozens of photos from the series.
''Glamour, Greed & Glory: Dynasty'' ''Glamour, Greed & Glory: Dynasty'', 2005, Signing Stars, 704 pg. ISBN 1-419-60375-2. by
Judith A. Moose was released in 2005 and included facts, stories, episode guides and photos. Author Moose claims that through research at Spelling Entertainment, she discovered the middle names (unused on air) of some key characters: Alexis Marissa, Amanda Kimberly, Blake Alexander, Claudia Mary and Fallon Marissa.
''Dynasty'' Middle names - UltimateDynasty.net
]]
]]
The first season of ''Dynasty'' was released on in November 2006.
The Second Season was released on DVD on August 14th, 2007 - more than two years after the release of the premier season. Paramount Home Video presents all 22 season two episodes on 6 discs with a single bonus feature: an interactive family tree.
