Dark Shadows1966
“Necking in the afternoon.”
Created by Dan Curtis
🏆 Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. 1 nomination total
The premise
Dark Shadows is an American gothic soap opera that originally aired weekdays on the ABC television network, from June 27, 1966, to April 2, 1971. The show was created by Dan Curtis. The story bible, which was written by Art Wallace, does not mention any supernatural elements. It was unprecedented in daytime television when ghosts were introduced about six months after it began. The series became hugely popular when vampire Barnabas Collins appeared a year into its run. Dark Shadows also featured werewolves, zombies, man-made monsters, witches, warlocks, time travel, and a parallel universe. A small company of actors each played many roles; indeed, as actors came and went, some characters were played by more than one actor. Major writers besides Art Wallace included Malcolm Marmorstein, Sam Hall, Gordon Russell, and Violet Welles.
Horror Vault's take
Set against the crumbling grandeur of Collinwood mansion, this landmark daytime serial weaves together mystery, romance, and the macabre across five compelling years. What began as a moody drama quietly transformed into something far stranger, introducing ghosts, vampires, werewolves, and darker forces that daytime television had never dared attempt. At its heart is a tortured, centuries-old secret that binds the Collins family to a legacy of dread. The show's ensemble of actors — many playing multiple roles — gives it an uncanny, shape-shifting quality that keeps viewers perpetually off-balance.
Content: Mild Horror Violence, Supernatural Threat Themes, Gothic Horror Imagery
Episode Guide
S1.E1 · DS-1Premiere8.0Jun 27, 1966 · 22 min · Dir: Lela Swift
Victoria Winters travels to Collinsport by train from New York to be the governess of 10 year old David Collins. Also on that train is Burke Devlin, who seems rather mysterious. We get to see Elizabeth Collins Stoddard and Roger Collins arg
S1.E2 · DS-26.5Jun 28, 1966 · 20 min · Dir: Lela Swift
At the Collinwood mansion, Victoria meets with the reclusive matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, while Burke Devlin talks with a private detective at the local Blue Whale tavern.
S1.E3 · DS-38.0Jun 29, 1966 · 22 min · Dir: Lela Swift
Elizabeth's brother, Roger Collins, desperately searches for local artist Sam Evans. Meanwhile, Victoria meets Elizabeth's teenage daughter Carolyn and begins to wonder if Collinwood is haunted.
S1.E4 · DS-48.5Jun 30, 1966 · 22 min · Dir: Lela Swift
Victoria is interrogated by Roger over her knowledge of Burke Devlin and their encounter at the train station. Later that night, Victoria has an unpleasant first meeting with David Collins
S1.E5 · DS-58.5Jul 1, 1966 · 22 min · Dir: Lela Swift
After her first night at Collinwood, Victoria has decided to go back to New York. Victoria explains to Carolyn that she is an orphan and came to Collinsport because she believed that somehow she would find out about her past. Near Widow’s H
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Cast
Jonathan Frid
Barnabas Collins / Bramwell Collins
Alexandra Isles
Victoria Winters
Grayson Hall
Julia Hoffman
Joan Bennett
Elizabeth Collins Stoddard / Naomi Collins
Kathryn Leigh Scott
Maggie Evans
David Selby
Quentin Collins
Lara Parker
Angelique Bouchard Collins
Nancy Barrett
Carolyn Stoddard
Louis Edmonds
Roger Collins / Joshua Collins
David Henesy
David Collins
Thayer David
Matthew Morgan/Ben Stokes/Dr. Timothy Stokes
Roger Davis
Jeff Clark / Peter Bradford
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