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Season 1 – Dark Shadows

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Dark Shadows Jan 1991 Drama Mystery & Thriller Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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50% Tomatometer 10 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
When a modern-day groundskeeper opens the Collins family crypt during a treasure hunt, Barnabas Collins, the 200-year-old family vampire, emerges to begin feeding on the living again. This short-lived series features high-end special effects and a love triangle between the woman who is a lookalike for Barnabas' lost love and the woman who is trying to cure him of his "problem."
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Dark Shadows — Season 1

Dark Shadows — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

This glossy reimagining of Dark Shadows certainly offers more robust production values than its predecessor, but not much more to justify its existence.

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Critics Reviews

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Greg Dawson Orlando Sentinel 06/27/2019
An effective movie about vampires should have you checking the doors and windows and your supply of garlic. Dark Shadows had me checking my watch. Go to Full Review Howard Rosenberg Los Angeles Times 06/27/2019
Executive producer/director Dan Curtis really outdoes himself for NBC, creating a lovingly trashy production that self-mockingly navigates the fine line separating fine farce and silliness. Go to Full Review Ken Tucker Entertainment Weekly 06/27/2019
C-
Much of the pop culture that has come along since Shadows' first run makes Dark Shadows seem rather quaint and not just a little foolish. Go to Full Review David Zurawik Baltimore Sun 06/27/2019
If the show can figure out its tone, sharpen its focus and home in on Barnabas as the tortured sinner-saint, Collinswood could become a Southfork of the 1990s. Go to Full Review Alan Pergament Buffalo News 06/27/2019
3.5/5
The new version is a beautiful and lavish production with a haunting musical score. It mesmerizes the eyes and ears more than it scares. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen W. D @RT79757043 Nov 19 I was one of those who rushed home from school to watch the original Dark Shadows. This updated version is fantastic. They are able to keep the spirit of the original and update it with modern production techniques. The cast is excellent and they use some of the writers from the original production. It is a shame that the Gulf War impacted the viewership. This series had a lot of potential. See more Peter G @petergrantnc 10/18/2023 One of the best remakes I've ever seen. Great job all around. Updated, but without overSHADOWing or disrespecting the original. Bravo. See more Read all reviews
Dark Shadows — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Ben Cross

Barnabas Collins

Jean Simmons

Elizabeth Collins Stoddard

Roy Thinnes

Roger Collins

Joanna Going

Victoria Winters

Barbara Blackburn

Carolyn Stoddard

Jim Fyfe

Willie Loomis

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jan 13, 1991 Pilot Victoria and Barnabas arrive at Collinwood; Willie disappears; Daphne is bitten; David introduces Victoria to his invisible friend, who claims Barnabas is evil. Details Episode 2 Aired Jan 14, 1991 Episode 2 Barnabas kills Daphne to have a companion; Woodward surmises a vampire's presence; Hoffman learns Barnabas has no reflection; Barnabas and Victoria unite. Details Episode 3 Aired Jan 14, 1991 Episode 3 Julia injects Barnabas with a serum to cure his vampirism; Barnabas relives Josette's death, then sees his reflection; Carolyn tries to seduce Joe. Details Episode 4 Aired Jan 18, 1991 Episode 4 Woodward becomes a vampire and is killed by Julia; Sarah appears and gives Vicki her diary; Angelique harasses Barnabas; David hexes Roger. Details Episode 5 Aired Jan 25, 1991 Episode 5 Barnabas gives Josette's music box to Victoria; jealous Julia alters Barnabas' serum; Joe succumbs to Carolyn's seduction; Barnabas ages. Details Episode 6 Aired Feb 1, 1991 Episode 6 Maggie asks a Ouija board who the murderer is; Carolyn threatens Julia; Vicki goes back to 18th-century Collinwood; Angelique banishes Sarah. Details Episode 7 Aired Feb 8, 1991 Episode 7 Victoria tries to conceal the means of her 18th-century arrival; Angelique makes a play for Barnabas; Julia confronts Barnabas about Phyllis Wicke. Details Episode 8 Aired Feb 15, 1991 Episode 8 Victoria realizes her purpose in 1790 Collinwood; Angelique casts a love spell on Barnabas' fiancee and Jeremiah; Barnabas and Jeremiah duel. Details Episode 9 Aired Mar 1, 1991 Episode 9 Victoria faces trial for sorcery; Angelique makes Jeremiah a zombie; Barnabas confronts Angelique, who dies in the ensuing struggle. Details Episode 10 Aired Mar 8, 1991 Episode 10 Angelique takes control of Julia's body; Josette learns Victoria's secret; Barnabas breaks out of his tomb; Joe warns Patterson a vampire controls Julia. Details Episode 11 Aired Mar 15, 1991 Episode 11 Angelique, in Julia's body, kills Joe; Josette plunges over Widow's Hill; Victoria is sentenced to death. Details Episode 12 Aired Mar 22, 1991 Episode 12 Angelique is driven from Julia's body into Maggie's; Barnabas attacks Abigail; fever claims Sarah; Barnabas pleads with Joshua to kill him. Details

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Season Info

Executive Producer
Dan Curtis
Network
NBC
Genre
Drama, Mystery & Thriller, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jan 13, 1991