Dark Shadows

Dark Shadows is an American gothic soap opera that originally aired weekdays on the ABC television network, from June 27, 1966, to April 2, 1971. The show was created by Dan Curtis. The story bible, which was written by Art Wallace, does not mention any supernatural elements. It was unprecedented in daytime television when ghosts were introduced about six months after it began. The series became hugely popular when vampire Barnabas Collins appeared a year into its run. Dark Shadows also featured werewolves, zombies, man-made monsters, witches, warlocks, time travel, and a parallel universe. A small company of actors each played many roles; indeed, as actors came and went, some characters were played by more than one actor. Major writers besides Art Wallace included Malcolm Marmorstein, Sam Hall, Gordon Russell, and Violet Welles.

Dark Shadows (1966-1971) is an American gothic soap opera created by Dan Curtis for ABC. Governess Victoria Winters (Alexandra Moltke is not in this data, so she is omitted) arrives at the decaying Collins family estate in coastal Maine, where the family is shadowed by a long-buried curse. Vampire Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) emerges as the central figure, a tormented aristocrat pulled between his hunger and his desire to protect the family. Alongside him, Julia Hoffman (Grayson Hall), Quentin Collins (David Selby), Carolyn Stoddard (Nancy Barrett), and Angelique Bouchard Collins (Lara Parker) carry the storylines. The engine of the show is a steady accumulation of schemes, romances, and supernatural threats, with werewolves, witches, zombies, and time travel entering the plot as the years pass. Episodes run as weekday cliffhangers, and the serialized story spans a 12-season run of 1225 episodes. Its tone blends melodrama, romance, and creeping dread, with a campy sincerity that makes it a cult favorite. Fans of Peyton Place, Twin Peaks, and Bram Stoker's Dracula will find resonance in its mix of gothic atmosphere and soapy family intrigue.

Audiences rate the series positively overall, celebrating its gothic atmosphere and the cult appeal of Barnabas Collins, while the later seasons are regarded as far weaker than the vampire-era peak.

• Peyton Placegothic soap serialization, vampire and supernatural family drama
• Bram Stoker's Draculagothic horror tone, haunted mansion and vampire mythology
• Twin Peakssupernatural soap, serialized gothic mystery with ensemble family

Created by

Dan Curtis

Release Date

1966-06-27

Episode runtime

22 min

Rating

8.1 / 10 (97)

What is Dark Shadows about?

A gothic daytime soap in which a Collins family mansion hides a vampire, ghosts, and an ancient curse.

What is Dark Shadows like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Dark Shadows as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.

Is Dark Shadows violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Dark Shadows as mild.

What did critics think of Dark Shadows?

Audiences rate the series positively overall, celebrating its gothic atmosphere and the cult appeal of Barnabas Collins, while the later seasons are regarded as far weaker than the vampire-era peak.

Which shows are like Dark Shadows?

Shows with a similar feel include Peyton Place, Bram Stoker's Dracula, and Twin Peaks.

How long is Dark Shadows?

Dark Shadows: 12 seasons, 1,225 episodes.

Is Dark Shadows still running?

No, Dark Shadows has ended.

Where can I watch Dark Shadows?

In United States, Dark Shadows streams on Amazon Prime Video, Pluto TV, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Tubi TV, Amazon MX Player, Hoopla, The Roku Channel, Fandango at Home Free, Xumo Play, Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus.