Channel 5 reveal Dallas details

The much-awaited return to UK screens of 80s supersoap Dallas is almost here, today Channel 5 revealed more on the show’s comeback 21-years after the last TV series.

The new storylines, across ten episodes, sees an increasingly volatile feud brewing between John Ross and Christopher – the next generation of the rich oil Ewing family.

It isn’t long before the legendary J.R. is back to his nefarious ways and rekindles his own long-standing rivalry with his younger brother, Bobby.

As the current family patriarch, presiding over the family home of Southfork, Bobby will stop at nothing to keep the younger Ewings from perpetuating the battle that nearly brought down the entire family. Bobby is backed up by his wife, Ann, whose beauty and grace match her fierce resolve to maintain peace within the family. But when a medical issue threatens his life, Bobby is forced to make a tough decision that could forever alter the lives of everyone he loves. Always ready to stir the pot is Sue ‘quivering lip’ Ellen, John Ross’s mother, who hopes to see her son take his rightful position as head of the family. It’s clear the rivalry between John Ross and Christopher is just as fierce as that of their fathers, especially when it involves the love of both of their lives, Elena. This intertwining relationship among the three is a source of constant tension that could eventually tear the Ewing family apart.

“Bringing a show like Dallas into the 21st century has been both exciting and daunting,” said executive producer Cynthia Cidre, who took up the challenge of writing the pilot for the new series. “It would have been very easy for the show to devolve into camp or cheap melodrama. Instead, we decided to concentrate on making a smart, passionate family drama told on an epic scale. We’re especially thrilled to work so closely with the leaders of Dallas in making the city a key character in the show.”

The series will feature many a familiar face from the original series which ran from 1978 until 1991. The storyline of the new series carries on from the end of the original TV series and appear to ignore the storylines from the special feature length TV films made in the mid and late 1990s.

Regulars for Dallas rebooted include Josh Henderson as John Ross and Jesse Metcalfe as Christopher while Patrick Duffy reprises  his role of Bobby, Linda Gray is once more Sue Ellen and JR is played by the one and only Larry Hagman.

Other original faces popping into the new era of Southfork include Ken Kerchavel as Cliff Barnes, Bobby’s former brother-in-law; Steve Kanaly as Ray Krebbs, JR’s one-time nemesis; and Charlene Tilton as Lucy Barnes, JR and Bobby’s niece.

Jeff Ford, Channel 5’s Director of Programmes said, “We are thrilled to be bringing the new look Dallas to Channel 5. With its alluring mix of wealth, seduction, scandal and intrigue, there is something for everyone on the Southfork Ranch and it’s a hugely exciting addition to our 2012 schedule.”

Channel 5 secured the exclusive rights to the debut of the new Dallas via a deal with Warner Bros. International Television Distribution.

Jeffrey R. Schlesinger, President, Warner Bros. International Television, said, “The original version of Dallas was iconic in the UK and had many millions of fans. We are sure that this new version of Dallas will satisfy those who remember the original show and attract a whole generation of new viewers. The instantly recognizable title combined with the very effective marketing ability of Channel 5 should ensure the successful launch of this series in the UK.”

Dallas returns to Channel 5 in September. The original series aired on BBC One in the UK. Repeats of 1980s episodes are currently airing on CBS Drama on satellite TV.

2 comments

  • Ray Krebbs was not just nemesis, he is a half brother to JR and Bobby.

  • DALLAS oh no was this really needed to revive this 80s trashy soap as its no good being a fan of something LORIMAR axed for a good reason it is stupid reviving it and now relegated to channel 5 after being on BBC1 for the original series. Id rather watch the original CROSSROADS revived it was great and ATV should revive that. What next FALCON CREST KNOTTS LANDING or DYNASTY i think this should be allowed to climb back into its grave with all the other dead soaps and let ATV bring back quality entertainment not DALLAS which is stupid so come on LORIMAR axe it again as LEONARD KATZMAN who created it is dead and so should crappy DALLAS.