Dark Shadows (1966)
The groundbreaking ABC gothic soap opera that brought vampires, witches, and supernatural terror to American daytime television for the very first time.
Dark Shadows - Series Information
- Original Title: Dark Shadows
- First Air Year: 1966
- Last Air Year: 1971
- Created by: Dan Curtis
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Soap
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 22 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 12
- Number of Episodes: 1,225
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: June 27, 1966 (United States - TV-PG), June 27, 1966 (Germany - 12), June 27, 1966 (France - 12), June 27, 1966 (Australia - PG), June 27, 1966 (Spain - 13)
- Networks: ABC
- Production Companies: Dan Curtis Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Dark Shadows - Plot
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.
Dark Shadows - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a taste of the gothic horror that captivated daytime audiences.
Necking in the afternoon.
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Dark Shadows - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Dan Curtis
Main Cast
- Alexandra Isles
- Joan Bennett
- Kathryn Leigh Scott
- Nancy Barrett
- Louis Edmonds
- David Henesy
- Joel Crothers
- Jonathan Frid
- Grayson Hall
- Thayer David
Writers
- Ron Sproat
- Malcolm Marmorstein
- Art Wallace
- Gordon Russell
- Sam Hall
Dark Shadows - FAQs
Who plays Barnabas Collins in Dark Shadows?
Barnabas Collins is portrayed by Jonathan Frid, who became the breakout star of Dark Shadows after the vampire character was introduced in 1967. Frid's brooding, sympathetic portrayal transformed the series into a cultural phenomenon and made Barnabas one of television's most iconic supernatural figures.
Where can you stream Dark Shadows?
Dark Shadows is available on Amazon Prime Video, Peacock Premium, and Peacock Premium Plus via subscription. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. Free ad-supported viewing is available on Tubi TV, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Xumo Play.
Is Dark Shadows based on a true story?
Dark Shadows is not based on a true story. Creator Dan Curtis conceived it as a Gothic soap opera drawing on classic horror literature and folklore. The original story bible by Art Wallace focused on mystery and drama without supernatural elements, which were added later as the show evolved to boost ratings.
How many episodes does Dark Shadows have?
Dark Shadows ran for 1,225 episodes across 12 seasons, plus 52 special episodes, airing weekdays on ABC from June 27, 1966, to April 2, 1971. Each episode ran approximately 22 minutes, making it one of the most prolific supernatural drama series in American daytime television history.
What is Dark Shadows about?
Dark Shadows follows the mysterious Collins family of Collinsport, Maine, whose ancestral estate is haunted by supernatural forces. The series blends Gothic drama with horror, featuring vampires, werewolves, witches, zombies, and time travel. It gained its greatest popularity after the introduction of vampire Barnabas Collins in 1967.
Did Dark Shadows win any awards?
Dark Shadows earned a devoted cult following and significant cultural recognition, though major Emmy wins eluded it during its original run. The series has since been celebrated for its pioneering role in bringing supernatural horror to daytime television and has inspired numerous adaptations, revivals, and retrospective tributes over the decades.
Who created Dark Shadows?
Dark Shadows was created by producer Dan Curtis, who developed the concept for ABC. The original story bible was written by Art Wallace. Key writers throughout the series included Ron Sproat, Malcolm Marmorstein, Gordon Russell, Sam Hall, and Violet Welles, each contributing to the show's expanding supernatural mythology.
What genre is Dark Shadows?
Dark Shadows is a Gothic soap opera blending Drama, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror. It began as a straightforward daytime drama before evolving into a supernatural serial featuring vampires, werewolves, witches, ghosts, time travel, and parallel universes, pioneering the fusion of horror and soap opera on American daytime television.
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