Dynasty: The Reunion
Encyclopedia
Dynasty: The Reunion is a 1991 miniseries
reuniting the characters from the American prime time television soap opera
Dynasty
, a series which aired on ABC
from 1981 to 1989 and was the highest-rated
U.S. series in 1985. The miniseries, like the series, revolves around the Carringtons
, a wealthy oil
family living in Denver
, Colorado
.
Directed by Irving J. Moore, the four-hour Dynasty: The Reunion was first broadcast in the U.S. in two parts on October 20 and October 22, 1991.
later noted, "The way we were cut off was a disgrace." Executive Producer
Aaron Spelling
said during production of Dynasty: The Reunion that "Beethoven can leave a symphony unfinished ... We didn't think we could do that with a soap opera." Eager to give the series proper closure, the cast agreed to come back "at slightly reduced salaries" and production relied on location shoots rather than the expensive sets of its heyday. "We are still groomed, groomed within an inch of our lives," noted star Joan Collins
, who with onscreen rival Linda Evans
had 42 costumes between them in the miniseries.
Original cast member Al Corley
returned as gay Carrington heir Steven
, despite the fact that he had left the series after two seasons and been replaced by Jack Coleman. With Coleman unavailable due to scheduling conflicts, Corley stepped in even though Steven's change in appearance with the casting of Coleman in 1983 had been attributed to plastic surgery after an oil rig explosion. Long-running Dynasty star Gordon Thomson was replaced by actor Robin Sachs
in the role of unscrupulous Adam Carrington
for the miniseries because of similar scheduling issues. Thomson was then under contract with the NBC
daytime soap opera Santa Barbara
, and when that series was unable to accommodate the miniseries shooting schedule, Thomson sued ABC for their part in the problem.
Dynasty: The Reunion also reunited much of the crew who had worked on the original series, including writer/creators Richard and Esther Shapiro, Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock, Edward DeBlasio, producer
Elaine Rich, cinematographer
Michel Hugo and costume designer
Nolan Miller
.
The miniseries also featured three long-running supporting players from the original series, William Beckley
as Carrington butler Gerard, Virginia Hawkins
as Carrington maid Jeanette Robbins, and Betty Harford
as Carrington cook Hilda Gunnerson.
shot by a corrupt policeman, his beloved wife Krystle
(Evans) in an off-screen coma, and his conniving ex-wife Alexis Colby
(Collins) plunging from a balcony. The Reunion picks up two years later as Blake — having survived the shooting but then convicted for the death of his attacker — is pardoned and released from prison.
An awakened Krystle returns to Denver and is reunited with an overjoyed Blake, whose son Steven
(Corley) is now an environmental lobbyist in Washington, D.C.
and in a relationship with Bart Fallmont (Cameron Watson
). Blake's daughter Fallon
(Emma Samms
) has split with Jeff Colby
(John James
) and reunited with Miles Colby (Maxwell Caulfield
), while Sammy Jo
(Heather Locklear
) — having lost her fortune — is once again modeling in New York. On the catwalk for Fashion Fury, she soon comes in contact with the company's newest investor: her ex-mother-in-law, a very-much-alive Alexis.
It soon becomes clear that Blake's downfall had been orchestrated by The Consortium, a mysterious organization which now controls Denver-Carrington. The most insidious part of their plan comes to fruition as Krystle, brainwashed before her return, is compelled to make an attempt on Blake's life. Her love for Blake allows her to resist and overcome the programming, but The Consortium kidnaps Jeff. Miles joins Blake's eldest son Adam (Sachs) and Jeff's ex-wife Kirby Anders
(Kathleen Beller
) to rescue him. Despite Adam's involvement in The Consortium's takeover, he and Blake reconcile their differences. Adam and Kirby also rekindle their past romance and Blake regains control of Denver-Carrington.
The Carringtons reunite at the mansion as secret Consortium leader Jeremy Van Dorn (Jeroen Krabbé
) — romantically involved with a clueless Alexis — attempts to both gain control of her company and kill her. She is rescued by Adam as Van Dorn escapes; he is taken away by the police, who are actually members of the Consortium in disguise. Fallon realizes she loves Jeff, Adam and Kirby reconcile, and even Alexis joins the festivities as Blake toasts the family. The miniseries ends as Blake and Krystle dance together.
Miniseries
A miniseries , in a serial storytelling medium, is a television show production which tells a story in a limited number of episodes. The exact number is open to interpretation; however, they are usually limited to fewer than a whole season. The term "miniseries" is generally a North American term...
reuniting the characters from the American prime time television soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
Dynasty
Dynasty (TV series)
Dynasty is an American prime time television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 12, 1981 to May 11, 1989. It was created by Richard & Esther Shapiro and produced by Aaron Spelling, and revolved around the Carringtons, a wealthy oil family living in Denver, Colorado...
, a series which aired on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
from 1981 to 1989 and was the highest-rated
Nielsen Ratings
Nielsen ratings are the audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States...
U.S. series in 1985. The miniseries, like the series, revolves around the Carringtons
Carrington family
The Carringtons are the core family of the American prime time soap opera Dynasty, which aired on ABC from January 12, 1981 to May 11, 1989.-Meet the Carringtons:...
, a wealthy oil
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
family living in Denver
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
.
Directed by Irving J. Moore, the four-hour Dynasty: The Reunion was first broadcast in the U.S. in two parts on October 20 and October 22, 1991.
Behind the scenes
Dynasty cancellation had left its ninth season finale unresolved and characters in mortal peril; original cast member John ForsytheJohn Forsythe
John Forsythe was an American stage, television and film actor. Forsythe starred in three television series, spanning four decades and three genres: as single playboy father Bentley Gregg in the sitcom Bachelor Father ; as the unseen millionaire Charles Townsend on the crime drama Charlie's...
later noted, "The way we were cut off was a disgrace." Executive Producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
Aaron Spelling
Aaron Spelling
Aaron Spelling was an American film and television producer. As of 2009, Spelling's eponymous production company Spelling Television holds the record as the most prolific television writer, with 218 producer and executive producer credits...
said during production of Dynasty: The Reunion that "Beethoven can leave a symphony unfinished ... We didn't think we could do that with a soap opera." Eager to give the series proper closure, the cast agreed to come back "at slightly reduced salaries" and production relied on location shoots rather than the expensive sets of its heyday. "We are still groomed, groomed within an inch of our lives," noted star Joan Collins
Joan Collins
Joan Henrietta Collins, OBE , is an English actress, author, and columnist. Born in Paddington and raised in Maida Vale, Collins grew up during the Second World War. At the age of nine, she made her stage debut in A Doll's House and after attending school, she was classically trained as an actress...
, who with onscreen rival Linda Evans
Linda Evans
Linda Evans is an American actress. She is known primarily for her roles on television, and rose to fame playing Audra Barkley in the 1960s Western TV series, The Big Valley...
had 42 costumes between them in the miniseries.
Original cast member Al Corley
Al Corley
Al Corley is an American actor, singer and producer. In the late 1970s, he worked as a doorman at Studio 54. He would later appear in a VH1 Behind the Music special on Studio 54 to recount his experiences....
returned as gay Carrington heir Steven
Steven Carrington
Steven Daniel Carrington is a fictional character on the American prime time soap opera Dynasty. Steven is noteworthy as one of the earliest gay main characters on American television...
, despite the fact that he had left the series after two seasons and been replaced by Jack Coleman. With Coleman unavailable due to scheduling conflicts, Corley stepped in even though Steven's change in appearance with the casting of Coleman in 1983 had been attributed to plastic surgery after an oil rig explosion. Long-running Dynasty star Gordon Thomson was replaced by actor Robin Sachs
Robin Sachs
Robin David Sachs is an English actor.Sachs was born in London, the son of actors Leonard Sachs and Eleanor Summerfield...
in the role of unscrupulous Adam Carrington
Adam Carrington
Adam Alexander Carrington is a fictional character on the American TV series Dynasty.The role was originated by Gordon Thomson in the first episode of the show's third season ; he played the character until the series finale in 1989...
for the miniseries because of similar scheduling issues. Thomson was then under contract with the NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
daytime soap opera Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara (TV series)
Santa Barbara is an American television soap opera, first broadcast in the United States on NBC on July 30, 1984, and last aired on January 15, 1993. The show revolved around the eventful lives of the wealthy Capwell family of Santa Barbara, California...
, and when that series was unable to accommodate the miniseries shooting schedule, Thomson sued ABC for their part in the problem.
Dynasty: The Reunion also reunited much of the crew who had worked on the original series, including writer/creators Richard and Esther Shapiro, Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock, Edward DeBlasio, producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
Elaine Rich, cinematographer
Cinematographer
A cinematographer is one photographing with a motion picture camera . The title is generally equivalent to director of photography , used to designate a chief over the camera and lighting crews working on a film, responsible for achieving artistic and technical decisions related to the image...
Michel Hugo and costume designer
Costume Designer
A costume designer or costume mistress/master is a person whose responsibility is to design costumes for a film or stage production. He or she is considered an important part of the "production team", working alongside the director, scenic and lighting designers as well as the sound designer. The...
Nolan Miller
Nolan Miller
Nolan Miller is an American fashion designer and television costume designer best known for his work on the long-running 1980s series Dynasty, its spin-off series The Colbys and the 1991 miniseries Dynasty: The Reunion. He collaborated on many projects with television producers Aaron Spelling and...
.
Completed credited cast
- John ForsytheJohn ForsytheJohn Forsythe was an American stage, television and film actor. Forsythe starred in three television series, spanning four decades and three genres: as single playboy father Bentley Gregg in the sitcom Bachelor Father ; as the unseen millionaire Charles Townsend on the crime drama Charlie's...
(Blake CarringtonBlake CarringtonBlake Carrington is a fictional character on the American TV series Dynasty. The role was portrayed by John Forsythe from the first episode of the series in 1981 until the finale in 1989. Forsythe returned for the 1991 miniseries Dynasty: The Reunion...
) - Linda EvansLinda EvansLinda Evans is an American actress. She is known primarily for her roles on television, and rose to fame playing Audra Barkley in the 1960s Western TV series, The Big Valley...
(Krystle CarringtonKrystle CarringtonKrystle Carrington is a fictional character on the American TV series Dynasty. The role was originated by Linda Evans in the first episode of the series in 1981; she left early in the final season but returned for the 1991 miniseries Dynasty: The Reunion.-Characterization:The character of Krystle...
) - Joan CollinsJoan CollinsJoan Henrietta Collins, OBE , is an English actress, author, and columnist. Born in Paddington and raised in Maida Vale, Collins grew up during the Second World War. At the age of nine, she made her stage debut in A Doll's House and after attending school, she was classically trained as an actress...
(Alexis ColbyAlexis ColbyAlexis Colby is a fictional character and the primary antagonist on the American TV series Dynasty....
) - John JamesJohn JamesJohn James was an architect particularly associated with Twickenham in west London, where he rebuilt St. Mary's Church and built the house for Hon. James Johnson, Secretary for Scotland, later Orleans House...
(Jeff ColbyJeff ColbyJeffrey Broderick "Jeff" Colby is a fictional character on the American TV series Dynasty, and its spin-off The Colbys.The role was originated by John James in the show's first episode in 1981, and the character was eventually spun off onto a separate series called The Colbys...
) - Heather LocklearHeather LocklearHeather Deen Locklear is an American actress best known for her television roles as Sammy Jo Carrington on Dynasty, Officer Stacy Sheridan on T.J...
(Sammy Jo CarringtonSammy Jo CarringtonSammy Jo Carrington is a fictional character on the American TV series Dynasty...
) - Emma SammsEmma SammsEmma Samms is a British television actress best known for her role as Holly Sutton on the American daytime soap opera General Hospital and for replacing Pamela Sue Martin as Fallon Carrington Colby on the primetime soap opera Dynasty.-Early life:Samms was born in Willesden, London, England, the...
(Fallon Carrington ColbyFallon Carrington ColbyFallon Carrington Colby is a fictional character on the American TV series Dynasty, and its spin-off The Colbys.The role was originated by Pamela Sue Martin in the show's first episode in 1981; Martin left in 1984. The role was recast with Emma Samms in 1985, and the character was spun off onto a...
) - Kathleen BellerKathleen BellerKathleen Beller is an actress. She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Supporting Role for her role in Promises in the Dark...
(Kirby Anders Colby) - Al CorleyAl CorleyAl Corley is an American actor, singer and producer. In the late 1970s, he worked as a doorman at Studio 54. He would later appear in a VH1 Behind the Music special on Studio 54 to recount his experiences....
(Steven CarringtonSteven CarringtonSteven Daniel Carrington is a fictional character on the American prime time soap opera Dynasty. Steven is noteworthy as one of the earliest gay main characters on American television...
) - Maxwell CaulfieldMaxwell CaulfieldMaxwell Caulfield is a British film, stage, and television actor who is based in the United States, known for his roles as Michael Carrington in Grease 2 and as Miles Colby in The Colbys and its parent show Dynasty . He has more than 70 film, stage and television credits. He starred in Ronald F...
(Miles Colby) - Michael BrandonMichael BrandonMichael Brandon is an American actor who resides in the United Kingdom and United States.-Life and career:Brandon was born Michael Feldman in Brooklyn, New York to Miriam and Sol Feldman...
(Arlen Marshall) - Robin SachsRobin SachsRobin David Sachs is an English actor.Sachs was born in London, the son of actors Leonard Sachs and Eleanor Summerfield...
(Adam CarringtonAdam CarringtonAdam Alexander Carrington is a fictional character on the American TV series Dynasty.The role was originated by Gordon Thomson in the first episode of the show's third season ; he played the character until the series finale in 1989...
) - Jeroen KrabbéJeroen KrabbéJeroen Aart Krabbé is a Dutch actor and film director who has appeared in many Dutch and international films.-Biography:...
(Jeremy Van Dorn)
The miniseries also featured three long-running supporting players from the original series, William Beckley
William Beckley
William Beckley is an American actor, best known for his role as Gerard the butler in the television series Dynasty.Other TV credits include: Combat!, Batman, Mission: Impossible, Hogan's Heroes, Night Gallery, Marcus Welby, M.D., Planet of the Apes, Charlie's Angels, Kojak, Fantasy Island, Hawaii...
as Carrington butler Gerard, Virginia Hawkins
Virginia Hawkins
Virginia Hawkins is an American actress, who remains best known for her role in the 1980s television series Dynasty as maid Jeanette Robbins....
as Carrington maid Jeanette Robbins, and Betty Harford
Betty Harford
Betty Harford , is an American actress, highly active on television.Her credits include: Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Gunsmoke, Dr. Kildare, The Twilight Zone, The Big Valley and The Paper Chase....
as Carrington cook Hilda Gunnerson.
Plot
The May 1989 series finale of Dynasty had left Forsythe's oil tycoon Blake CarringtonBlake Carrington
Blake Carrington is a fictional character on the American TV series Dynasty. The role was portrayed by John Forsythe from the first episode of the series in 1981 until the finale in 1989. Forsythe returned for the 1991 miniseries Dynasty: The Reunion...
shot by a corrupt policeman, his beloved wife Krystle
Krystle Carrington
Krystle Carrington is a fictional character on the American TV series Dynasty. The role was originated by Linda Evans in the first episode of the series in 1981; she left early in the final season but returned for the 1991 miniseries Dynasty: The Reunion.-Characterization:The character of Krystle...
(Evans) in an off-screen coma, and his conniving ex-wife Alexis Colby
Alexis Colby
Alexis Colby is a fictional character and the primary antagonist on the American TV series Dynasty....
(Collins) plunging from a balcony. The Reunion picks up two years later as Blake — having survived the shooting but then convicted for the death of his attacker — is pardoned and released from prison.
An awakened Krystle returns to Denver and is reunited with an overjoyed Blake, whose son Steven
Steven Carrington
Steven Daniel Carrington is a fictional character on the American prime time soap opera Dynasty. Steven is noteworthy as one of the earliest gay main characters on American television...
(Corley) is now an environmental lobbyist in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
and in a relationship with Bart Fallmont (Cameron Watson
Cameron Watson
Cameron Watson is an American actor, screenwriter, and director, best known for playing Bart Fallmont in the TV miniseries Dynasty: The Reunion....
). Blake's daughter Fallon
Fallon Carrington Colby
Fallon Carrington Colby is a fictional character on the American TV series Dynasty, and its spin-off The Colbys.The role was originated by Pamela Sue Martin in the show's first episode in 1981; Martin left in 1984. The role was recast with Emma Samms in 1985, and the character was spun off onto a...
(Emma Samms
Emma Samms
Emma Samms is a British television actress best known for her role as Holly Sutton on the American daytime soap opera General Hospital and for replacing Pamela Sue Martin as Fallon Carrington Colby on the primetime soap opera Dynasty.-Early life:Samms was born in Willesden, London, England, the...
) has split with Jeff Colby
Jeff Colby
Jeffrey Broderick "Jeff" Colby is a fictional character on the American TV series Dynasty, and its spin-off The Colbys.The role was originated by John James in the show's first episode in 1981, and the character was eventually spun off onto a separate series called The Colbys...
(John James
John James (actor)
John James Anderson is an American actor, best known to television audiences for playing the character of Jeff Colby in both the prime-time soap opera Dynasty and its spin-off series The Colbys throughout the 1980s....
) and reunited with Miles Colby (Maxwell Caulfield
Maxwell Caulfield
Maxwell Caulfield is a British film, stage, and television actor who is based in the United States, known for his roles as Michael Carrington in Grease 2 and as Miles Colby in The Colbys and its parent show Dynasty . He has more than 70 film, stage and television credits. He starred in Ronald F...
), while Sammy Jo
Sammy Jo Carrington
Sammy Jo Carrington is a fictional character on the American TV series Dynasty...
(Heather Locklear
Heather Locklear
Heather Deen Locklear is an American actress best known for her television roles as Sammy Jo Carrington on Dynasty, Officer Stacy Sheridan on T.J...
) — having lost her fortune — is once again modeling in New York. On the catwalk for Fashion Fury, she soon comes in contact with the company's newest investor: her ex-mother-in-law, a very-much-alive Alexis.
It soon becomes clear that Blake's downfall had been orchestrated by The Consortium, a mysterious organization which now controls Denver-Carrington. The most insidious part of their plan comes to fruition as Krystle, brainwashed before her return, is compelled to make an attempt on Blake's life. Her love for Blake allows her to resist and overcome the programming, but The Consortium kidnaps Jeff. Miles joins Blake's eldest son Adam (Sachs) and Jeff's ex-wife Kirby Anders
Kirby Anders
Kirby Anders is a fictional character on the American TV series Dynasty.The role was portrayed by Kathleen Beller from 1982 to 1984. She was introduced in the 7th episode of the third season, and was written off after the last episode of the 4th season...
(Kathleen Beller
Kathleen Beller
Kathleen Beller is an actress. She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Supporting Role for her role in Promises in the Dark...
) to rescue him. Despite Adam's involvement in The Consortium's takeover, he and Blake reconcile their differences. Adam and Kirby also rekindle their past romance and Blake regains control of Denver-Carrington.
The Carringtons reunite at the mansion as secret Consortium leader Jeremy Van Dorn (Jeroen Krabbé
Jeroen Krabbé
Jeroen Aart Krabbé is a Dutch actor and film director who has appeared in many Dutch and international films.-Biography:...
) — romantically involved with a clueless Alexis — attempts to both gain control of her company and kill her. She is rescued by Adam as Van Dorn escapes; he is taken away by the police, who are actually members of the Consortium in disguise. Fallon realizes she loves Jeff, Adam and Kirby reconcile, and even Alexis joins the festivities as Blake toasts the family. The miniseries ends as Blake and Krystle dance together.