A Continuation of DARK SHADOWS

My dream, one of them, is to see a continuation of DARK SHADOWS. Not a reboot, like we saw in the 90s, and not a movie, like that godawful Tim Burton and Johnny Depp fiasco from a few years back. What I want is to see a continuation of the original, classic series that ended in 1971. Sorta like what David Lynch did with TWIN PEAKS, where the show picks up again 25 years later, except it would be 50 years later in this case. As many of the original cast members as are still with us would return. Sure, they’d have to recast some of the parts. I’d recommend Sam Riley from BYZANTIUM as Barnabas Collins. I photoshopped a side-by-side comparison shot. Pretty damn good likeness, no? And Riley has the acting chops to pull it off, too.

When the series ended in ’71, Barnabas wasn’t a vampire, and we know thanks to show writer Sam Hall that Barnabas and Julia eventually ended up together and, one presumes, grew old together and both eventually died. But I have an idea on how to explain that away, no problemo. That’s why they should hire ME to write for this hypothetical new series. I don’t want to give too much of my idea away, but what the hell. Fans of the series will recall that, when Barnabas traveled back in time that last time, he projected his consciousness back in time, leaving his physical body behind in the present (1971). When he and Julia returned from the past, he returned in bodily form, not in astral form. That means that his body, his OTHER body, would still have been present in 1971, too. And it would have still been a vampire. Now let’s say that, having once been tainted, the other Barnabas, after growing old and dying, returns to life as a vampire. THIS Barnabas, lacking the soul of the man, would be evil. We would then have TWO Barnabases, both vampires, one good and one evil. Tell me you wouldn’t watch that show! (And I swear I came up with that idea BEFORE this new season of TWIN PEAKS with its good and evil Agent Coopers!)

Whoever is in charge of DARK SHADOWS these days, give me a holler. Let’s make this happen! I’d volunteer my services for FREE!

By TheCheezman

WAYNE MILLER is the owner and creative director of EVIL CHEEZ PRODUCTIONS, specializing in theatrical performances and haunted attractions. He has written, produced, and directed (and occasionally acted in) over two dozen plays, most of them in the Horror and True Crime genres. He obtained a doctorate in Occult Studies from Miskatonic University and is an active paranormal investigator. Is frequently told he resembles Anton Lavey. And Ming the Merciless. Denn die totden reiten schnell!

4 comments

  1. Interesting reading! Of course Big Finish have already continued the story of Dark Shadows bringing us up to the mid 1980’s. As we stand at the moment Angelique is at rest if not quite at peace, Maggie has left town and found Joe Haskell, Quentin has returned to town with his new bride, Barnabas is (quite literally) a changed man, and David is engaged to Amy Jennings, oh and then there’s Burke Devlin…

      1. Noooooo! I’m okay about other stories being told with these characters, like Lara Parker’s novel continuity, and the comics from a few years back but the Big Finish stuff if the real deal to me. If you’ve not heard them then you are missing out. Honestly…the ending of ‘…And Red All Over!’ is astonishingly good. I always think I’m ready for it and then end up almost in tears. So very good, and a perfect continuation.

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