Would the older cast return?

[MrsSuperman93]

The whole idea of Dallas returning sounds great but the vital question is, will the older cast return?

Although it would be awesome, I'm pretty sure Victoria Principal's decided that Dallas is nothing more than a part of her past. I think Patrick Duffy's still involved with the Bold and the Beautiful but I dont know for sure. Then I think for Larry and Linda it would depend on the storylines, am I right in remembering Linda saying something like 'If it's all about sex and no storylines then it wont be right' because I'm sure I've heard her or one of the cast members say that.

Maybe the new Dallas will bring in younger audiences but it may not attract the older audience who used to watch it without the past cast members and then it may not be as big as it could be.

What does everyone else think? Which cast members will return?

[i love jr ewing]

I hope that Larry, Linda and Patrick return.

[TJames03]

I hope that Larry, Linda and Patrick return.

Not too be mean, but I don't think that they have a lot to do anyway.

Now if La Principal showed back up, PARTY!!!

[Bobby'sgirl]

The whole idea of Dallas returning sounds great but the vital question is, will the older cast return?

Although it would be awesome, I'm pretty sure Victoria Principal's decided that Dallas is nothing more than a part of her past. I think Patrick Duffy's still involved with the Bold and the Beautiful but I dont know for sure. Then I think for Larry and Linda it would depend on the storylines, am I right in remembering Linda saying something like 'If it's all about sex and no storylines then it wont be right' because I'm sure I've heard her or one of the cast members say that.

Maybe the new Dallas will bring in younger audiences but it may not attract the older audience who used to watch it without the past cast members and then it may not be as big as it could be.

What does everyone else think? Which cast members will return?

Exactly, I for one won't watch the new show unless they do feature members of the original cast on a very regular basis. It won't be Dallas without them, and I hope TNT realizes how important they are to the success of the new show. As for who will return, I think we'll see Patrick, Linda, and Larry for sure. My sense is that TNT might even be able pull off the coupe of the century and tempt Victoria with the right very well written storyline for Pam and Bobby. Steve, Charlene, Ken, and Audrey would probably get a kick out stopping by now and then, and I have a feeling that even Susan Howard, Ted Shackleford, and Joan Van Ark might be willing to do cameos too.

[MargaretKrebbs]

It's the next generation, a new show, with new characters and stories and a 30+ year gap between then and now. The world has changed a lot. After BP, how do you make an oil company sexy and exciting again? After the sustainable local agriculture movement, how do you make cattle ranching sexy and exciting again? The show will be different, have a different focus, a different vibe, different and contemporary stories to tell. The only character from the original Dallas that might have ANY relevance for the next generation would be JR - that is unless he's been redeemed by old age. The other characters are all from a different generation, a different time and IMO their stories are over. Long live their offspring!

[James from London]

Funny, there seems to be two distinct schools of thought. Those that think the show will only work if there are plenty of old characters, and those that think the opposite. I lean towards the latter. The last thing a new series needs is a reunion TV vibe with lots of tired and/or tight old faces limping across the screen. I loved the old series but I'm past caring about whatever happened to Bobby and Pam or JR and Sue Ellen. Unless any of those characters can be utilised in a really clever, imaginative way--for some reason, Larry Hagman's sinister, shadowy cameo in NIXON comes to mind--I say forget 'em.

[SnarkyOracle!]

Funny, there seems to be two distinct schools of thought. Those that think the show will only work if there are plenty of old characters, and those that think the opposite. I lean towards the latter. The last thing a new series needs is a reunion TV vibe with lots of tired and/or tight old faces limping across the screen. I loved the old series but I'm past caring about whatever happened to Bobby and Pam or JR and Sue Ellen. Unless any of those characters can be utilised in a really clever, imaginative way
Pretty much my thoughts as well.



--for some reason, Larry Hagman's sinister, shadowy cameo in NIXON comes to mind--I say forget 'em.Ah, yes. The infamous Murchison mansion Assassination Eve party.

Even famed reporter Helen Thomas, then a Dallas newswriter in attendance, said it happened.

[Bobby'sgirl]

It's the next generation, a new show, with new characters and stories and a 30+ year gap between then and now. The world has changed a lot. After BP, how do you make an oil company sexy and exciting again? After the sustainable local agriculture movement, how do you make cattle ranching sexy and exciting again? The show will be different, have a different focus, a different vibe, different and contemporary stories to tell. The only character from the original Dallas that might have ANY relevance for the next generation would be JR - that is unless he's been redeemed by old age. The other characters are all from a different generation, a different time and IMO their stories are over. Long live their offspring!


No offense MK, but the show that you described is just not recognizable as Dallas and will get cancelled very quickly. It's fine to make Christopher, John Ross, etc. the main focus of the new show, but loyal fans want to see that "different generation" too or they'll tune out fast.

[Mickey Fairgate]

If they are going to focus on the next generation, that would be John Ross, Christopher, Lucas Wade, Margaret Krebbs, Pamela Rebecca Cooper, and Cally's unnamed child. As well as the kid that James and Debra Lynn had.

To make the show interesting, we need both the old cast and the new cast, but it needs to not rehash all of the old shows history.

Instead of Ewing Oil, John Ross and Christopher could be duking it out in the banking industry or the insurance industry, or even the construction industry, as they try to outdo each other and prove to their daddies who is better.

Margaret could be an up-and-coming political activist, just like her mother.

Lucas could be either a rancher like Ray, or a financier in the financial world.

Pamela Rebecca could be either a singer or a model.

Not sure what Cally's child or James' and Debra Lynn's child would be, lol

I think in this incarnation, Lucy would be perfect for either running the Oil Baron's Club, or The Store, or her own boutique.

Have Gary and Val show up periodically, with Bobby and Betsy, the twins that never appeared on Dallas.

As far as Pam and Bobby, Ray and Donna/Jenna, J.R. and Sue Ellen, Cliff and Afton, it would only work having them all together, if the storylines made sense. Ray would either still be with Jenna, or he and Donna could have gotten back together.

Katherine could show up to still stir up trouble, and so could Peter Richards and definately Jeremy Wendell.

Bring back Dusty as well, and do a fitting farewell to Clayton and Miss Ellie, and I guess we could have Carter McKay back too.

I'll watch this, but not sure if it will hold my interest.

[James from London]

loyal fans want to see that "different generation" too or they'll tune out fast.

I suspect catering to loyal fans would be a mistake.

[Karin Schill]

I think in order for it to be Dallas the show needs to be about family and then we need both generations of Ewings. but it is essential that the younger generation of Ewings drives the plots. For the show to work we need acting talent that can match the older generation and great serial storytelling...

I also hope this show won't be predictable. John Ross or Christopher married to Pamela Rebecca is really predictable. I would rather see them with new characters and if either one of them has to marry Becky I'd pick John Ross since she and Chris are cousins albeit not biologically...

Also everyone assumes that the show will be about the battle of Ewing Oil between John Ross and Chris. Okay that could work. But how about if one of them has zero interest in taking over the company?
I mean this is the 21st century, not everyone wants to follow in their father's footsteps even if they've inherited an empire...I think that could be some interesting conflicts...

I also hope that the whole issue of Pam's desserting Chris at a young age will be addressed. How has that, April's murder and finding out who his biological parents were affected him?

I really do think the new show has a lot of potential and I hope to see as many familiar faces as possible. But their storylines has to intergrate with the younger generation and make sense. I don't think the older cast would return to do crappy tv. They care too much about their characters for that. But if the script is good and there's something in it for them they will most likely be back! ;)

[Eric864]

Im somewhere in the middle. The show is John Ross and Christopher's story, but since we know that southfork is part of the new show, it would be strange if two 30 year old's who are "bitter rivals" would live in a place that big by themselves. I think at least one older Ewing should be living at southfork . Or maybe all the rest of the Ewings will be killed off when they are electrocuted in a freak accident while standing on for a family photograph, after a cable has become wet during a storm like in King Ralph.

[Bobby'sgirl]

I suspect catering to loyal fans would be a mistake.

Ah James, we loyal fans are probably the only ones who will be tuning in during the critical first few shows until word of mouth takes over, so yeah they do to keep us happy and watching.

[James from London]

I hope they don't attempt that. I'd sooner something brave and exciting that lasts two episodes than something safe and reunion-y that lasts ... three?

[TJames03]

Unless and until La Principal makes an appearance, count me out of this entire program.

[Bobby'sgirl]

I hope they don't attempt that. I'd sooner something brave and exciting that lasts two episodes than something safe and reunion-y that lasts ... three?

From what Garry posted about the pilot script, it looks like they are indeed planning to do something "exciting" with both the younger and older generations of Ewings and that's the proper balance to ensure the success of the show.

[Seaviewer]

I'd sooner something brave and exciting that lasts two episodes than something safe and reunion-y that lasts ... three?

I think in order for it to be Dallas the show needs to be about family and then we need both generations of Ewings. but it is essential that the younger generation of Ewings drives the plots.I agree. Hopefully the pilot can balance both a reunion-y feel and the introduction of new characters but ultimately it's the new that will have to drive the series or it will have a very limited shelf life.



After BP, how do you make an oil company sexy and exciting again? After the sustainable local agriculture movement, how do you make cattle ranching sexy and exciting again?Those issues could be an integral element. Bobby once set up a division of Ewing Oil devoted to alternative energy but it went nowhere. Nowadays, the global warming debate - with people taking opposing views - would make a natural source of conflict.



Have Gary and Val show up periodically, with Bobby and Betsy, the twins that never appeared on Dallas.
I'd love that but somehow I don't think it will happen.

[Mrs. JR Ewing]

I don't believe the orginal cast should return per se, but it would be nice if several of them made cameo appearances once in a while.

[v2david]

*** POSSIBLE SPOILERS --- READ AT YOUR OWN RISK! ***

There are key scenes in the pilot for several of our old favorites (you can guess who)! There is also a good opportunity for multiple cameos of older characters. Because several of our old favorites are key to the pilot, I would be extremely disappointed if the older actors were not bought back for their roles. It also seems that some of these characters would be recurring should this go to a series, so I guess whether or not they recasted or not would also depend on whether the older actors would be willing to be part of the new series...

[v2david]

*** POSSIBLE SPOILERS --- READ AT YOUR OWN RISK! ***

It also seems that some of these characters would be recurring should this go to a series, so I guess whether or not they recasted or not would also depend on whether the older actors would be willing to be part of the new series...

*** ONCE AGAIN, POSSIBLE SPOILERS --- READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!***

Just wanted to add, the pilot script has given them the flexibility to write off some of the main characters after the pilot should they choose to. My guess is this would depend on whether they can get the original characters to portray their original roles for the pilot and their willingness to be part of the series. While some of the older cast members play a key role in the pilot, the show is definitely set-up to concentrate on the next generation. That being said, some of the older characters do have a great part of the pilot, and I think it would be a real asset to have them as part of the regular series, even if it is limited...

[Seaviewer]

Sounds good.

[Cliff Barnes]

Personally I hope as much of the older cast as possible will get to return.