Dallas (2012 TV series)
A revival of the classic Ewing family saga.
Dallas is a prime time soap opera that aired on TNT from June 13, 2012, to September 22, 2014. Developed by Cynthia Cidre and produced by Warner Horizon Television, it revived the original series of the same name created by David Jacobs, which ran on CBS from 1978 to 1991. The show centers on the Ewings, a wealthy Dallas family involved in the oil and cattle-ranching businesses.
Several original cast members returned in major roles, including Patrick Duffy as Bobby Ewing, Linda Gray as Sue Ellen Ewing, and Larry Hagman as J.R. Ewing. Other original stars made guest appearances, such as Ken Kercheval as Cliff Barnes, Steve Kanaly as Ray Krebbs, Charlene Tilton as Lucy Ewing, and Ted Shackelford and Joan van Ark as Gary and Valene Ewing from the spin-off *Knots Landing*. New characters included Josh Henderson as John Ross Ewing III (J.R. and Sue Ellen’s son), Jesse Metcalfe as Christopher Ewing (Bobby and April’s adopted son), and Julie Gonzalo as Pamela Rebecca Barnes (Cliff Barnes and Afton Cooper’s daughter).
The series was produced for TNT, a sister company to Warner Bros. Television, which had owned the original series since acquiring Lorimar Television in 1989. After viewing the completed pilot on July 8, 2011, TNT ordered a 10-episode first season, which premiered on June 13, 2012. The show was renewed for a second season of 15 episodes (premiering January 28, 2013) and a third season of 15 episodes (premiering February 24, 2014). TNT cancelled the series on October 3, 2014, after three seasons, citing declining ratings and the death of Larry Hagman.
**Plot**
The story revolves around the Ewings and focuses on Christopher Ewing and John Ross Ewing III, both born during the original series and portrayed as children by different actors. John Ross, now an adult, mirrors his father J.R., driven by oil, money, and power. Christopher, like Bobby, is more concerned with preserving Southfork Ranch and has moved into alternative energy, rejecting the oil business. John Ross aims to restore the Ewings’ oil industry prominence, though his claim in season one of being J.R.’s eldest child contradicts the original series, where J.R.’s firstborn son James Beaumont appeared in seasons 13–14.
Alongside John Ross and Christopher, original characters Bobby, J.R., and Sue Ellen return. Others like Lucy Ewing, Ray Krebbs, and Cliff Barnes appear occasionally.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Drama / Soap opera
- Runtime
- 42 minutes
- Creator
- David Jacobs
- Based On
- Dallas · David Jacobs
- Developer
- Cynthia Cidre
- Executive Producer
- Cynthia Cidre · Bruce Rasmussen · Michael M. Robin · Ken Topolsky · Bryan J. Raber
- Starring
- Josh Henderson · Jesse Metcalfe · Jordana Brewster · Julie Gonzalo · Brenda Strong · Patrick Duffy · Linda Gray · Larry Hagman · Mitch Pileggi · Emma Bell · Kuno Becker · Juan Pablo Di Pace
- Composer
- Rob Cairns / Jerrold Immel / (original theme)
- Country
- United States
- Company
- Cyntax Productions · Warner Horizon Television
- Network
- TNT
- First Aired
- 2012-06-13
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The series brought back several stars of the original series, including Patrick Duffy as Bobby Ewing, Linda Gray as Sue Ellen Ewing, and Larry Hagman as J.R. Ewing in major roles. Other stars of the original series made guest appearances, including Ken Kercheval as Cliff Barnes, Steve Kanaly as Ray Krebbs, and Charlene Tilton as Lucy Ewing, as well as Ted Shackelford as Gary Ewing, and Joan van Ark as Valene Ewing, who starred in the Dallas spin-off series Knots Landing. They were joined by the next generation of characters, including Josh Henderson as John Ross Ewing III, the son of J.R. and Sue Ellen Ewing; Jesse Metcalfe as Christopher Ewing, the adopted son of Bobby and April Stevens Ewing; and Julie Gonzalo as Pamela Rebecca Barnes, the daughter of Cliff Barnes and Afton Cooper.
Reader's Guide
The series focuses mainly on Christopher Ewing, the adopted son of Bobby and Pam Ewing, and John Ross Ewing III, the son of J.R. and Sue Ellen Ewing. Both John Ross and Christopher were born during the original series' run and were featured in it as children. Now grown up, John Ross has become almost a mirror of his father, bent on oil, money, and power. Christopher, meanwhile, has become a lot like Bobby, in that he is more interested in the upkeep of Southfork Ranch. As an additional point of contention, Christopher is also becoming a player in alternative energy, thereby eschewing the oil business. However, John Ross is determined to resurrect the Ewings' former position in the oil industry. John Ross states in season one that he is J.R.'s eldest child, which contradicts the storyline in the original series where J.R.'s first born son James Beaumont appeared in seasons 13–14. The series was cancelled by TNT after three seasons, because of the declining ratings and the death of Larry Hagman.
Did You Know?
- Larry Hagman died during production of season 2, signalling the on-screen death of J.R. Ewing.
- The series was cancelled on October 3, 2014, after three seasons.
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