Falcon Crest (1981)
The definitive 1980s primetime soap opera pitting a ruthless wine dynasty matriarch against her own family across nine seasons of scandal and ambition.
Falcon Crest - Series Information
- Original Title: Falcon Crest
- First Air Year: 1981
- Last Air Year: 1990
- Created by: Earl Hamner, Jr.
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Soap, Drama
- Content Rating (US): NR
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 9
- Number of Episodes: 227
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: December 4, 1981 (United States - NR)
- Networks: CBS
- Production Companies: Amanda Productions, MF Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Falcon Crest - Plot
Falcon Crest is an American primetime television soap opera which aired on the CBS network for nine seasons, from December 4, 1981 to May 17, 1990. A total of 227 episodes were produced. The series revolves around the feuding factions of the wealthy Gioberti/Channing family in the Californian wine industry. Jane Wyman starred as Angela Channing, the tyrannical matriarch of the Falcon Crest Winery, alongside Robert Foxworth as Chase Gioberti, Angela's nephew who returns to Falcon Crest following the death of his father. The series was set in the fictitious Tuscany Valley northeast of San Francisco.
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Falcon Crest - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Earl Hamner, Jr.
Main Cast
- Jane Wyman
- Lorenzo Lamas
- Chao-Li Chi
- David Selby
- Susan Sullivan
- Margaret Ladd
- Ana Alicia
- Robert Foxworth
- William R. Moses
- Abby Dalton
Writers
- William Schmidt
- Dick Nelson
- Joel Surnow
- Lisa Seidman
- Scott Hamner
Falcon Crest - FAQs
Where can you stream Falcon Crest online?
Falcon Crest is available to stream for free on Tubi TV, Plex, and The Roku Channel (with ads). Episodes can also be purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. Availability may vary by region.
Who played Angela Channing in Falcon Crest?
Academy Award-winning actress Jane Wyman portrayed Angela Channing, the ruthless matriarch of the Falcon Crest Winery. Her commanding performance became the defining element of the series and earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series.
Is Falcon Crest based on a true story?
Falcon Crest is not based on a specific true story. Creator Earl Hamner, Jr. drew inspiration from the real California wine country and the competitive dynamics of family-owned wineries, but the Gioberti and Channing families and their conflicts are entirely fictional.
How many seasons and episodes does Falcon Crest have?
Falcon Crest ran for 9 seasons and produced a total of 227 episodes. It premiered on CBS on December 4, 1981, and concluded on May 17, 1990, making it one of the longest-running primetime soap operas of the 1980s.
What is Falcon Crest about?
Falcon Crest follows the bitter rivalry between feuding branches of the wealthy Gioberti/Channing family in California's fictitious Tuscany Valley wine country. The series centers on power struggles, betrayal, and ambition, anchored by Jane Wyman's iconic turn as the tyrannical winery matriarch Angela Channing.
Who created Falcon Crest and when did it premiere?
Falcon Crest was created by Earl Hamner, Jr., best known for creating The Waltons. The series premiered on CBS on December 4, 1981, initially airing as a midseason replacement before becoming one of the network's most popular primetime dramas throughout the 1980s.
Did Falcon Crest win any awards?
Yes. Jane Wyman won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Angela Channing. The show also received multiple Golden Globe nominations during its run, and Wyman's performance was widely recognized as one of the standout portrayals in 1980s primetime television.
What shows are similar to Falcon Crest?
Viewers who enjoyed Falcon Crest often recommend Dynasty (1981), which shares its glamorous primetime soap format and wealthy family rivalries. Other similar series include Big Little Lies (2017) and Promised Land (2022), which also explore family drama, wealth, and secrets in compelling ensemble formats.
More About Falcon Crest
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