Dynasty’s back on TV, but unlike the revivals of Dallas, Melrose Place and 90210 over the last decade, Dynasty isn’t a continuation of the original drama. Rather, this is a re-imagining of the sudsy series that aired on ABC in the 80s.
The new version of Dynasty stars Grant Show (Melrose Place) as Blake, Nathalie Kelley (The Vampire Diaries) as Cristel, and Elizabeth Gilles (Victorious) as Fallon.
Cristel’s character isn’t just spelled differently than the one played in the original by Linda Evans (Krystal). She has more of an edge and deals with people more on their level.
“Part of the fun was being able to take a character like Cristel and dirty her up a little bit, give her this backstory, give her this edge, that you’re not always sure what her motives are, necessarily,” says Josh Schwartz, executive producer. “And I think that makes it a more interesting and dynamic character.”
This time, Cristel is an executive in Blake’s company and not his secretary as she was in the original. “Both (Cristel and Fallon, Blake’s daughter) are ambitious career women,” Schwartz says. “They’re not just vying for Blake’s love as a father or a husband, but also they want to run this business.”
Watch for script references to the character of Alexis in the show’s pilot. While the character, played by Joan Collins, didn’t fully debut until the beginning of the second season, executive producer Sallie Patrick says her arrival will happen sometime during the show’s first season.
“We’re taking our precious time,” Patrick teases, adding, “We’re building up the spirit of Alexis. She’s definitely alive in characters like Fallon and we learn a little bit about her history and the family.”
In addition to Alexis, there are a multitude of other characters from the original that may find their way onto the new version.
“All in due time,” says Schwartz. “We recognize what the certainly original iconic moments and spirit of the original show is, and I want to represent that, and make sure we have those opportunities to tell those stories and bring those characters in, but this version of those characters.”
Dynasty premieres on The CW on Wednesday, Oct. 11 in its regular time slot 9 p.m. ET.
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