What became of the Dynasty divas and their men?
IT WAS the era of power dressing, big hair and cat fights and NOW the legendary 1980s soap gets remade for a new generation of TV viewers.
The legendary 1980s soap gets remade for a new generation of TV viewers
Now it’s time to dust down those shoulder pads because Dynasty, the gloriously over-the-top American soap opera from the 1980s, is making a comeback after more than a quarter of a century.
The show, charting the fabulously rich but dysfunctional Carrington family, ran for nine series.
It’s not known if any of the surviving cast members will return for the remake by The CW Network, but we discover what became of them.
The gloriously over-the-top American soap opera from the 1980s, is making a comeback
Blake Carrington
The silver-haired oil magnate and head of the family was played by John Forsythe.
The show began in 1981 as he was about to marry his secretary Krystle.
Veteran actor Forsythe, then 63 , stepped in at the last minute to replace George Peppard.
The silver-haired oil magnate and head of the family was played by John Forsythe
If something seemed familiar it was because he had previously been the voice of Charlie issuing orders to his Angels.
He was the only actor to star in all 220 episodes of Dynasty and also appeared in the spin-off, the Colbys.
Twice married Forsythe went on to star in two Charlie’s Angels films before retiring from acting in 2003 to run an art gallery.
He died in 2010, aged 92.
Krystle Carrington
Played by former Playboy model Linda Evans, the dutiful wife was the sanest character in the show.
Dynasty was the big breakthrough for Evans.
Audiences were entranced by her cat fights with Blake’s former wife, Alexis, helping the show attract more viewers than Dallas in the mid-1980s.
She left Dynasty in 1989, four months before the end of its run.
Season one of the American soap opera was aired on October 15, 1981
Afterwards there were a few TV movies but she retired in 1997 seeking a more spiritual life.
Twice married, she also had a nine-year relationship with a musician called Yanni.
Now aged 73, Linda, whose hair styles were copied by millions of women, was a guest at the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla.
She lives in Rainier, Washington.
Alexis Carrington Colby
The super-bitch of the show was played in fine style by Joan Collins.
She arrived at the start of the second series, playing Blake’s scheming ex-wife, to provide a ratings boost and won a Golden Globe for her efforts.
Since Dynasty she has appeared in countless films, stage shows and TV programmes including Footballers Wives.
In all, she has more than 60 films to her name.
The super-bitch of the show was played in fine style by Joan Collins
Her books, including novels and health and beauty titles, have sold 50 million copies.
In 2015, she was made a Dame.
Married five times, she is still going strong at the age of 83 and is said to be keen to star in the revamped version.
Dame Joan now divides her time between the UK, the US and France.
Jeff Colby
Clean cut but rather dull Jeff, a member of the rival Colby clan, was played by John James.
His on-off relationship with Fallon Carrington was one of the main plot-lines in Dynasty.
Appearing in the hit show wasn’t the springboard he hoped and afterwards he popped up mainly in daytime US soaps.
The show, charting the fabulously rich but dysfunctional Carrington family, ran for nine series
He also produced and starred in Anna Nicole Smith’s final film Illegal Aliens, in 2007.
Now aged 60, he lives with his wife of 27 years, Denise, in LA.
Sammy Jo Carrington
The role of playing Krystle’s sneaky niece went to Heather Locklear.
Her career continued to flourish throughout the 1990s with roles in Melrose Place and Spin City alongside Michael J Fox.
Clean cut but rather dull Jeff, a member of the rival Colby clan, was played by John James
She was also in Franklin & Bash in 2013.
Sadly she also battled depression and was arrested for erratic driving amid a string of failed marriages, including to Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee.
She is now 55 and based in LA.
Fallon Carrington
The former model Pamela Sue Martin portrayed Fallon, the headstrong daughter of Blake for four seasons.
After quitting she acted in TV movies and mini-series before turning her talents to directing.
The 63-year-old actress, who has been married and divorced three times, runs her own theatre company in Idaho.
The former model Pamela Sue Martin portrayed Fallon, the daughter of Blake for four seasons
Pamela, who first made her name in the Nancy Drew Mysteries, is also an environmental campaigner.
She spends much of her time in Mexico.
After her departure from Dynasty British actress Emma Samms stepped into the role.
Steven Carrington
Blake’s son, played by Jack Coleman, was one of the earliest gay characters on prime time US television.
The actor took over from Al Corley as Steven in 1983 – his new face was explained away as reconstructive surgery following an oil rig explosion.
Blake’s son (right) was one of the earliest gay characters on prime time US television
Coleman’s career flourished after his six-season stint, with numerous TV roles including the sci-fi programme Heroes and Vampire Diaries.
He has also carved out a successful stage career.
The 58-year-old lives with his wife Beth in California.
It’s not known if any of the surviving cast members will return for the remake by The CW Network
Adam Carrington
Blake’s dashing eldest son, played by Gordon Thomson, strolled into Dynasty in 1982 providing the show with a male villain.
He spent his time with his eyes firmly set on the Carrington fortune.
The Canadian actor went on to star in numerous US soaps with parts in The Young And The Restless, Passions and Sunset Beach, as well as a recent appearance on Days Of Our Lives.
In 2006, he had a small role in the Oscar-winning Little Miss Sunshine.
Now 71, he lives in LA.