"My name is Victoria Winters. My journey is beginning - a journey that I hope will open the doors of life to me, and link my past with my future. A journey that will bring me to a strange and dark place - to the edge of the sea high atop Widow's Hill - a house called Collinwood. A world I've never known, with people I've never met. People who tonight are still only shadows in my mind, and who will soon fill the days and nights of my tomorrows."
- from the first episode of the original Dark Shadows, 1966

If anyone out there is reading who has any news tips, etc. about the new Dark Shadows, please send us an e-mail at PlanetGotham@aol.com. Sources will remain anonymous unless it's stated as okay to say where things came from.

Jason Shaw Signs Talent Holding Deal
Special thanks to: The Futon Critic

DS 2004's "Joe Haskell" Jason Shaw has signed a one-year talent holding deal with John Wells Productions. Wells' production company was involved with the 2004 Dark Shadows. We'll keep you updated when and if we hear where Jason lands!

Undead Barnabas Is Seen!
Fangoria.com has posted an exclusive interview with Dark Shadows 2004 makeup artist Todd McIntosh that includes new, never-before-seen photos from the production.

In the interview, McIntosh talks about the pilot, the various finger-pointing about "what went wrong," and other elements associated with working on the remake.

To read the complete interview, and see pictures, click here.

Matt Czuchry Joins Gilmore Girls
DS 2004's "Willie Loomis" has moved on. Matt Czuchry will be appearing on several episodes of the WB's Gilmore Girls in the new season. He'll play the love interest of Alexis Bledel's Rory character.

Jordan Levin Resigns
Jordan Levin, the WB executive who is known to fans as "the guy who cancelled Angel" and "the guy who didn't pick up Dark Shadows 2004," has resigned from his position at the network, according to Variety.

Dark Shadows Being Shopped To Other Networks?
We have also hearing reports that Warner Bros. Television is shopping Dark Shadows around to other potentially interested networks. While we thought the WB would be a perfect home for new Shadows, if there is such an interested network, the more power to them. Good reviews like the one above only help the cause.

Dark Shadows 2004 May Be Shown At The Dark Shadows Festival
It sounds as though the 2004 pilot (or at least parts of it) will be shown at the 2004 Dark Shadows Festival in New York this summer. Visit http://www.darkshadowsfestival.com for more details.

This is good news that some fans are able to see it, but those of us who can't afford to go or choose not to go, of course, will be missing out.

Dark Shadows Makes Zap2It's List Of "What You Won't Be Seeing"
Zap2It.com this weekend posted an article that listed which projects we won't be seeing in Fall 2004 that had a good amount of buzz. Not only was Dark Shadows on the list, but so were The Robinsons: Lost in Space, Gramercy Park, a Jessica Simpson sitcom, and more. Here's what they had to say about Dark Shadows:

"Dark Shadows" (WB, drama): Maybe The WB didn't want to put another vampire show on the air right after canceling "Angel." Or maybe it was too expensive. Whatever the reason, it's a bit of a surprise that this show, produced by "ER" maven John Wells and starring Martin Donovan, Marley Shelton and Blair Brown didn't make the schedule.

Yeah, we're kind of wondering the same thing. At this moment, it seems the Dark Shadows project is dead, but please don't let that keep you from spreading the word and telling the network about your disappointment. You can read the full article by clicking here.

Dark Shadows Not On The WB's Midseason List
The WB's 2004-2005 press release makes mention of two drama series that are in the lineup to add to their schedule at midseason, but sadly, Dark Shadows is not one of them.

The two pilots mentioned are Rocky Point (yay, another crappy coming-of-age drama... seems the WB's new plans are cluttered with them and nothing else) and Global Frequency (based on Warren Ellis's DC/Wildstorm comic book series, well hey, that sounds cool).

More news as it becomes available, but it's looking like Dark Shadows is in the dead file... unless, of course, the WB execs realize "hey, we're missing out on a good thing."

Variety Posts Fall Schedule
Variety has posted an article on the WB's 2004-2005 schedule, and Dark Shadows is not on it.

The WB will be making formal announcements on Tuesday if not sooner. Hopefully there's a spot in midseason for DS '04; we'll let you know what, if anything, we hear.

WB Mondays and Tuesdays remain the same as before; Wednesdays lead with Smallville followed by sketch and improv shows (yes, the WB cancelled Angel for *those*... our eyes are rolling, too). Thursday leads off with The Mountain; and new series entry Jack and Bobby follows Charmed on Sunday nights. (Hey, family drama's one of the only genres not to fail in that timeslot... guess there's a first time for everything!)

The WB may "rest" Everwood at rerun time in favor of a new drama or reality series; hopefully this news will bode well for the future for New DS. The WB is said in the Variety article to have said "Franchise mania is over," which could hurt the show's chances further.

UPDATE: The Futon Critic has posted that midseason plans for the WB include a comedy titled Shacking Up as well as two untitled reality series from producers Mike Fleiss and Mark Burnett. Currently, no word of Dark Shadows or even the WB's proposed Lost in Space revival.

Blair Brown At Roundabout Theatre Event
Special thanks to: Aelora

Aelora has sent us a photo of Blair Brown (Elizabeth Collins Stoddard) at the event held by the Roundabout Theatre Company back on April 28.

Click here to see it, but be warned, there is a spoiler for the WB series Smallville within the photo, as the photo also includes a member of that cast sporting a very new look.

The WB Orders 13 Episodes Of The Mountain
The WB has officially ordered 13 episodes of the new drama series The Mountain. The WB is supposedly ordering only two dramas for the Fall 2004 schedule, which could mean Dark Shadows will be kept in the mausoleum forever unaired.

Many different sources online have said DS '04 is definitely not on the schedule, although The WB has not officially said this.

To say this is disappointing is an understatement. Here's what you can do if you're as disappointed as we are. And, of course, come back to Barnabas Undead tomorrow and we may have a few more ideas and things to say...

- Post on the WB message board and tell them why you think New DS will rule. TV executives generally tend to like to see what's in it for them, so be sure to tell them that. Share what demographic you bring (if you're comfortable) and, who knows, tell them that new DS might interest you in the rest of their network, if you're not watching already.

- E-mail the WB and show your support for DS in the same ways listed above. Again, let them know they've got a great fan base here and a great property that could be squandered.

- Go to other message boards and websites and spread the word about Dark Shadows. We're talking about sites like MediasharX, PanFandom, Ain't It Cool, SciFi.com, places like that. Send them over to this site, or start up a conversation about New DS and why you'll be bummed if it doesn't go anywhere. And of course, here on the Barnabas Undead forum be sure to post about what you could bring to the table as a viewer.

- Write to your favorite magazines and websites and tell them how you feel about Dark Shadows, and if the show's not picked up, how you think the WB missed out on a good opportunity. Here are a few places you can e-mail: Entertainment Weekly, People, TV Guide, Zap2It.com, Sci Fi Wire, Cinescape

- Finally, write to the WB. We have been given this address that people should write to:

The WB
411 North Hollywood Way, Bldg. 34R
Burbank, Ca. 91522

The folks to put it to the attention of would include Jordan Levin, Garth Ancier, and Carolyn Bernstein, we are told.

Again, remember to compose yourself politely and make sure they know that Dark Shadows could be the best thing to ever happen to the network (since Smallville, of course!)

We add that no official decision on Dark Shadow's fate has been announced; but, should the WB be aware of the interest in the series, the announcement should and could hopefully be a good one. Show your support!

Webmasters, please feel free to repost this information and/or distribute it so that people know what to do! And keep visiting for more possible plans of action! Keep in mind, every single person posting and spreading the word counts!

Variety Calls New Shadows' Chances A "Longshot"
Today's (May 10) edition of Variety has a feature on Fall 2004 prospects and had this to say about Dark Shadows:

"Once considered a strong contender for the WB's fall schedule, the Frog's new take on "Dark Shadows" has turned into a longshot. Odds have also grown longer for "The Robinsons: Lost in Space," which the WB won after a heated bidding war among several nets."

If this isn't a sign that the WB needs to be made aware of the hit they're sitting on, we don't know what is. Read below on how you can improve Dark Shadows' chances.

Dark Shadows In Zap2It's Fall 2004 Recap
Zap2It.com has posted its recap of what's coming and going for Fall 2004. Dark Shadows was mentioned, which at least implies the show is still in the running in the minds of the press, so it shouldn't be given up on by anybody. Here's what they said:

"Provided it gets picked up, John Wells' "Dark Shadows" had better prove it was worth the loss of "Angel." Otherwise, it looks like status quo for the Frog."

Considering Dark Shadows is a concept that has endured for nearly 40 years, that shouldn't be a problem. You can read the entire article here.

Unconfirmed Report: DS 2004 Not Happening?
We still think it's a bit early to say, considering we don't think the network has even seen the pilot, but we have received two messages implying that the WB is not moving forward with Dark Shadows. For our opinions on that, of course, read today's column.

Keep in mind this is just rumor... a rumor we hope is not true. At this point it could be someone's sick idea of a prank, and we're hoping that's what it is. Barnabas Undead is NOT confirming this at this time, but putting it out there so that folks know it is a possibility. The person who e-mailed us did come from a Los Angeles-based ISP and claimed to know one of the actors; the second report came from Scifi2K.com, in case one must know (in other words, it could be completely baseless gossip). If anyone can indeed confirm or deny this news, please e-mail us. Either way, we'll all know for sure within two weeks.

But... adding a nail into the proverbial coffin... Jack and Bobby has been officially picked up, according to TelevisionWeek and in press releases put out by the WB themselves. Thanks to TM56 from TV Tome for that.

Why The WB Should Pick Up Dark Shadows
Written by Craig Byrne - BarnabasUndead.com Webmaster

Less than two weeks are left before the WB makes their decision about whether or not Dark Shadows will land on their Fall 2004 schedule. Here are some reasons why they should consider it.

Click here to read it!

WB Takes Different Approach To Decision Making
Source: The Wall Street Journal

The May 3 edition of the Wall Street Journal reveals that the WB Network is taking a different approach than usual in choosing their shows for the Fall season - they're not relying on audience testing. Instead, the fate of Dark Shadows lies primarily in the hands of WB execs, although some audience testing may still occur. (Hey, WB, we'll review it and tell you what we think if you want us to - and keep it spoiler free for the masses! E-mail us!)

More details about the WB's plan if and when we can get them. The WB should be making its decision on Dark Shadows within the next two weeks. The 2004-2005 Fall Schedule will be unveiled on May 18, although usually the information leaks a few days earlier.

The WB Close To Ordering Two Series
Source: Variety

Variety reports today that the WB is close to ordering two drama series for its Fall 2004 schedule. Unfortunately, the two series in question are The Mountain (created by The OC's McG and starring Oliver Hudson), and Jack and Bobby (created by Everwood's Greg Berlanti).

Variety's insiders said the Mountain production team was at the Frog Monday mapping out strategy for the first 12 episodes, which sounds like a good sign it might be going somewhere. Jack and Bobby is a critical favorite, and it was featured in TV Guide recently.

It might be noted that Everwood's series pickup order was announced several weeks early in a similar way.

Don't take this as negative news for Dark Shadows; however, if Variety's report turns out to be true. Sure, it's been speculated the WB will have only two open slots this Fall for hour long drama programming; however, it has been rumored for a while now that the WB may be going to a year-long programming cycle, which may mean some timeslots will be shared. Also consider the WB has likely not even seen the Dark Shadows pilot and has yet to know how brilliant (or not) it may be. Stay tuned for more.

"Old Man On The Train" Revealed!
Joey has e-mailed us to let us know that the "old man on the train" in the early minutes of the Dark Shadows pilot will be an actor by the name of E.J. Callahan. Callahan has made past appearances on Angel, Boston Public, Carnivale, and several other programs. He's currently appearing as a bartender in the film "Envy."

We had hoped the man on the train would be a DS alum, especially considering that John Karlen had visited the set, but, alas, it was not meant to be.

Dan Curtis Featured At The Museum Of Television & Radio
Dark Shadows creator and producer Dan Curtis was featured at a spotlight at the Museum of Television and Radio on Thursday evening; we hear that folks also in attendance included Kelly Hu (Dr. Hoffman), Alexander Gould (David), and Ivana Milicevic (Angelique). Barbara Steele, who played Dr. Hoffman in the 1991 Dark Shadows, was also there.

Unfortunately we weren't able to make it to the event, so if anyone attended and would like to share a report, please e-mail us! (Hopefully we here at Barnabas Undead get to meet or talk to some of these people ourselves someday!)

UPDATE: It seems more people than we had mentioned were there. A poster at the Dark Shadows Forums has said that Jason Shaw (Joe), Jenna Dewan (Sophia), and Michael D. Roberts (Sheriff Patterson) were also in attendance, as were several folks from the original Dark Shadows, including original "Angelique" Lara Parker, "Maggie Evans" Kathryn Leigh Scott, and "Willie Loomis" John Karlen. *Craig the webmaster hits himself for missing it*

Alec Newman Returns To Angel
Alec Newman (Barnabas in the upcoming Dark Shadows) will be making another appearance on Angel as the character of "Drogyn." Look for him on the May 12 episode. It's a great way to see what Alec is like; but beyond that, the final episodes of Angel sound really good!

FOX Launches New Series Early
Source: Variety

Variety has reported that the FOX network is launching several of their Fall 2004 series a bit early this year, much like they did last year (to a lot of success) with The O.C.

Why are we noting this here? Because maybe we can hope the WB decides to give Dark Shadows an early launch much in the same way. Six scripts already ordered does sound a bit suspicious that something more may be planned, after all.

The formal schedule won't be announced for a few weeks. Stay tuned for more.

Good News For Fans Of The Original Shadows
Source: ShadowGram

ShadowGram is also reporting that former "Willie Loomis" John Karlen (who played the role in the original series) has already paid the set a visit. Hopefully that will mean he'll be open to making a cameo appearance on the series, if he has not already.

They've also revealed that the character of Maggie Evans and her father, Sam, may be appearing in the new Shadows after all, should it become a series. They were apparently scripted to appear in the pilot, but were cut because of timing.

"Sheriff Patterson" Cast
The final major role in the Dark Shadows pilot has been cast. Sheriff George Patterson, played by such folks as Dana Elcar, Dennis Patrick, and Michael Cavanaugh in the past, will be played by Michael D. Roberts this time around.

Roberts' past television appearances include episodes of Beverly Hills 90210, Knight Rider, Baretta, Manimal, and The District. Past movies include "Rain Man," and he's currently filming the movie "Hostage."

Click here to read more about the new Dark Shadows cast

More Location News!
Source: ShadowGram

The new Collinwood is indeed the Greystone mansion in Beverly Hills, California, as used in the 1991 incarnation of Dark Shadows; however, the "new" Old House will be somewhere else entirely.

ShadowGram (the longest-running Dark Shadows fanzine) reports that the Old House will be filmed elsewhere on location. In other location news, San Pedro's Ports O' Call village, which was used for Collinsport in 1991, will again be doubling for the fictional towen.

More Brief Spoiler Details...
Some details about the pilot episode's teaser have been revealed.

Visit the Mausoleum to read the new stuff!

Hu Casting Creates A Stir
The casting of Kelly Hu in the role of Dr. Julia Hoffman for Dark Shadows '04 has caught the attention of many major media outlets. Hu's appointment even made the news ticker on the April 14 Access Hollywood, and caught major mentions on sites such as Scifi.com.

All of this good publicity can only mean good things for this pilot...

Dr. Hu: Kelly Hu Cast As Dr. Julia Hoffman
Kelly Hu, who most people might remember best as "Lady Deathstrike" in the movie X2: X-Men United, is television's latest Dr. Julia Hoffman.

Kelly's previous TV credits include recurring roles on Threat Matrix and Nash Bridges. We're sure she'll get a manicure before reporting for DS duty ;)

Cast Spotlight: Jessica Chastain
In this new feature at Barnabas Undead, we will take a look at an individual member of the new Dark Shadows cast, and reveal a little bit you might not know about him or her.

Today's spotlight is on Jessica Chastain, a actress who has spent many recent years on the stage who fans haven't yet been able to learn much about. That's her headshot by this article.

Jessica is a graduate of Julliard, and in her mid 20's. She's thin, and petite with red hair. The photo you see of her on the Cast page is actually from a few years ago when she performed "Romeo and Juliet." Friends describe her personality as "bubbly" and say she's a very good actress who will do a great job in the role of Carolyn Stoddard. She's been acting since at least high school, and her smile has been compared to that of Julia Roberts.

The second image in this article is from Jessica at the time she performed in the Laramie Project at the Chautauqua Conservatory Theatre.

Stay tuned at Barnabas Undead in coming weeks for details about more members of the 2004 Dark Shadows cast.

And The Location Used For 2004 Collinwood Is...
Source: Collinwood.net

The location used for the sprawling mansion of Collinwood in the new version of Dark Shadows should be quite familiar to long-time fans of the series.

The Greystone mansion in Beverly Hills, California will be Collinwood once again. Greystone was used as Collinwood in the 1990 revival of Dark Shadows, which lasted for twelve episodes on NBC.

Jonathan Frid Turns Down Dark Shadows Pilot Appearance
Source: Collinwood.net

The Dark Shadows Journal Online reports that Jonathan Frid, who played Barnabas Collins in the original Dark Shadows from 1967 to 1971 and in the movie "House of Dark Shadows," has declined an offer to appear in the new series pilot.

Although Frid has decided to pass now, hopefully his tune will change in the future. Or, we can hope that the producers of the new Dark Shadows have other cameo surprises in store for us!

New Series "Not Your Mother's Dark Shadows"
Source: The New York Post; Special thanks to: Dee

The New York Post today featured an article about the new series with some comments from an insider associated with the show.

"It's not going to be Buffy and it's not going to be Angel," the source told the paper, adding quickly, "although we love both of those shows."

"I don't think you need to see things to make them scary, it's more about what might be behind a door than actually seeing exactly what's there," the source hinted about Dark Shadows' brand of horror.

Another note this source told the paper? "We read the Web sites to get their feedback - a lot," the Post was told. "We hope they'll be watching." Now if only some of those hidden people out there would speak up and e-mail us and say hi ;-)

To read the complete article, click here.

"Kelly Greer" Speaks!
Alexis Thorpe, who will be playing new character Kelly Greer in the 2004 Dark Shadows pilot, recently checked in with fans at her message board. There she revealed a little bit about her character, who she described as "Cassie like" (a reference to her Days Of Our Lives character):

"I am set to do a guest starring role for the pilot, and the character is nicely set up to come back and start a lot of trouble for the small town."

She added that she starts her DS filming on April 13. You can read Alexis' message forum by clicking here.

Casting Is Nearly Complete: Joe Haskell & Others Cast
Special thanks to: DarkShadows-Web.com

Tommy Hilfiger model Jason Shaw will be Joe Haskell in the 2004 Dark Shadows pilot which is now filming. You may have also seen Jason as a fashion presenter for E! Entertainment Television or in two episodes of Charmed.

Days Of Our Lives star Alexis Thorpe, who played Cassie DiMera on DOOL, is on board as Dark Shadows 2004's first new character, Kelly Greer. Nearly 24 years old, Thorpe also has two years of The Young And The Restless in her past, and she has appeared in several films including "American Wedding."

The Collins' housekeeper, Sophia, will be played by Jenna Dewan. We've definitely come a long way from having a plain-looking, older "Mrs. Johnson" here! Jenna is an accomplished dancer who has appeared in videos with Kelly Clarkson, Missy Elliot, Janet Jackson, Toni Braxton, Mandy Moore, and the A-Teens. She's also appeared on Boston Public and in the movie "The Hot Chick." Her official website can be found here.

Click here for details on the entire cast that is revealed so far, and to see pictures of all three of these new additions!

Crew Details!
We have learned some details about some of the people who will be bringing us Dark Shadows behind the scenes.

The makeup department head for the new series pilot will be Todd McIntosh. Fans may recognize or remember his work as the makeup head for Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Online biographies reveal that Todd was a fan of Dark Shadows from a very young age, and that was what originally inspired him to learn how to make vampire teeth from cardboard shirt collar stays. Another vampire-related project in McIntosh's past is the film "Dracula: Dead And Loving It." Working with Todd as his second will be Steve Anderson. Prosthetics for Dark Shadows will be created by Andrew Clements of Creative Characters and applied by McIntosh's team.

The series' hair department will include Gloria Casny, whose previous credits include Buffy, Star Trek: Enterprise, and Deep Space Nine; and Lisa Marie Rosenburg-Alpert, whose past credits include "The Shining" miniseries, Buffy, and "Scooby Doo."

We look forward to seeing what these people are going to make this latest incarnation of Dark Shadows look like!

Blair Brown Is Dark Shadows' Matriarch
Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, reclusive matriarch of the Collins clan, will be played by actress Blair Brown.

Ms. Brown is a veteran of stage, television, and movie work, perhaps best known for her role as the lead in The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd. She might be memorable to viewers of the WB for playing Rachel Dunleavy in the popular second season Smallville episode "Lineage."

To read details the Dark Shadows cast list, click here. Thanks to everyone who sent this news in as it was announced (There were a good half dozen of you!)

Shooting Starts Today!
The latest life of Dark Shadows begins anew today as filming has started shooting on April 2. Interestingly enough, the final episode of the original Dark Shadows aired 33 years ago, on April 2, 1971.

Shooting Starts Friday!
The 2004 incarnation of Dark Shadows goes before cameras on Friday, April 2, according to sources.

The actors playing the roles of Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, Dr. Julia Hoffman, and Joe Haskell have not yet been announced and may not yet be cast. Stay tuned!

Casting News Hits The Net
The news of the recent additions to the Dark Shadows cast has made its way onto the Net, with only Alec Newman's placement as Barnabas going unpublicized.

Getting the most buzz in articles is the casting of Martin Donovan (right) as Roger Collins.

To read details of all of the currently-announced Dark Shadows cast members, click here.

Mark Verheiden Talks About New Shadows
Special thanks to: Wendi

Mark Verheiden appeared at Creation's Grand Slam Convention this previous weekend, and the topic of the new Dark Shadows came up at his question and answer panel.

How is Dark Shadows different from Verheiden's previous writing assignment of Smallville? When is it going to begin filming? And what does Mr. Verheiden think of Angelique?

These questions and more are answered within!

Shadows In Germany
Confirms Series Pick-Up Already?
Source: Variety

A report in Variety reveals a deal has been made between Warner Bros. Television and Herbert Kloiber's Tele Munchen in Germany. The deal could be worth as much as $220 million, and encompasses upcoming Warner Bros. television and movies for interested German parties, with it sounding like Kloiber is the middle man.

The most interesting part of this deal? Upcoming WB Television series Joey and Dark Shadows are among the list of series licensed. Considering Dark Shadows isn't announced as having a guaranteed spot on the WB's fall schedule, this could prove to be very interesting news. Maybe the future for Dark Shadows on television is a lot more solid than we think...

Those who subscribe to Variety online can read the entire article here.

Kathryn Leigh Scott, Mark Verheiden At The Creation Con
Special thanks to: IESB.net

Kathryn Leigh Scott ("Maggie Evans" from the original Dark Shadows) as well as Mark Verheiden (writer and executive producer of the new Dark Shadows) both appeared at the Grand Slam Creation Convention this weekend in Pasadena, California.

We'll keep you updated on if anything came out about the new series at the Con, but as you can see, Kathryn looks as beautiful now as she did 35 years ago when the original Shadows was on. One can only hope that she'll be making an appearance on the new series.

Click here to see an image of Kathryn Leigh Scott at the convention

Many, Many Dark Shadows Roles Cast!
Source: ShadowGram

ShadowGram (a long time newsletter covering the original Dark Shadows) has revealed that many, many more roles from the new Dark Shadows have been cast, including the role of Barnabas.

Alec Newman is the latest actor to wear the fangs of Barnabas Collins. His previous credits include "Dune," "Children of Dune," and, appropriately, a guest spot on Angel.

Stage actress Jessica Chastain is Carolyn Stoddard, Martin Donovan ("The Opposite of Sex") is Roger Collins, and 10-year-old Alexander Gould (who portrayed the lead voice in "Finding Nemo") is the 2004 David Collins.

The best news of all? Matt Czuchry, also known as The Best Part Of The Jake 2.0 Pilot, is the new Willie Loomis. Yay for the Czuchry. The other cast roles have not been announced.

Want to read more, and see some pictures? Barnabas Undead is happy to unveil its new Shadows Cast page which will show you all of them! Enjoy!

Ivana Milicevic Casts A Spell As Angelique In New Shadows
Source: Variety

Variety reports that a Bosnia-born actress named Ivana Milicevic has been cast as Angelique in the new incarnation of Dark Shadows.

Ivana's previous credits include Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed on TV, and "Paycheck" and "Love Actually" in the world of movies.

A New Column! "Think Positive!"
Written by Stuart Manning

Stuart Manning has been no stranger to Dark Shadows fandom for nearly ten years. He maintains The Dark Shadows Journal Online, a website that can tell someone anything they want to know about Dark Shadows, new or old.

Stuart was kind enough to share with Barnabas Undead a column about the fan reactions to the new series so far, and what a Dark Shadows means to him...

Click here to read the column!

Marley Shelton: Preparing For The Role?
Special thanks to: Zahir

Message board poster "Zahir" found a very interesting promotional shot of new "Victoria Winters" Marley Shelton, from the film "Valentine"...

Seems she's going to have to get used to WB vampires.

Click here for a larger view.

Her Name Is Victoria Winters...
It has been revealed that Marley Shelton ("Sugar and Spice," "Uptown Girls") has been cast in the role of Victoria Winters on the new incarnation of Dark Shadows (despite her eerie resemblance to Nancy Barrett!). The series pilot should be filming soon.

Because of the delays in casting, and the pending Elektra movie, director Rob Bowman has had to pass on the project. He is being replaced by PJ Hogan, who directed the films "Peter Pan" and "My Best Friend's Wedding."

The WB Orders Six Shadows Scripts
The March 12 issue of Entertainment Weekly reveals an interesting tidbit about the new Dark Shadows project.

"The WB already ordered six scripts, so it's pretty safe to say it's going on the air," an anonymous talent agent told the magazine. We have confirmed that this news about the scripts is indeed true.

Shadows Casting Director Interviewed Online
One of the casting directors involved in choosing the folks who will be picked for Dark Shadows, Matthew Lessall, was recently interviewed in an interview at Backstage.com. In the interview, he said he was drawn to the script because it's a "wonderfully written drama" with "a lot of characters and storylines, flip-flopping between the 1700s and the present."

To read the complete interview, click here.

Mark Verheiden Interviewed
Special thanks to: Alex Ness

Pilot episode writer and upcoming executive producer for Dark Shadows Mark Verheiden was recently interviewed at PopThought.com, where he talked about his history of writing comics, Smallville, and the new Dark Shadows.

In the interview, he mentioned his involvement with the show, and said casting is "to be announced." He also offered this tease:

"Dark Shadows is a gothic drama, set in coastal Maine, about the Collins family and the mysteries that surround them. To go much further might spoil some surprises… but I can safely say there isn’t another show like it on network TV."

To read the full article, click here.

Casting New Shadows
Special thanks to: The Dark Shadows Journal Online

Stuart Manning's Collinwood.net had surveyed its readers for who they would like to see on the new Dark Shadows, since casting has not yet been completed. They received replies from many fans and professionals from the original series, including former "Maggie" Kathryn Leigh Scott and "Eve" Marie Wallace. To read who the fans at that site would like to see, click here.

And who are our choices for the new Dark Shadows? Only a few, but considering this site's Smallville connection, it's only fitting that several of our choices came from that other WB show... you can read five of our casting choices by clicking here.

More Pilot Episode Script Details!
Barnabas Undead now has some new details from the casting sides for the Dark Shadows pilot.... including what characters to expect in the pilot, some of the plot details, changes, and surprises! This one really looks good...

Read all about it at the Mausoleum!

Today's Gossip: About Barnabas...
Today's gossip goes out to those of you who might be worried about the WB going too young for their choice of who will play Barnabas in the upcoming new version of Dark Shadows. Heck, even our choice is a bit on the young side.

However, we are hearing that some people - particularly producer John Wells - have no plans on de-aging the Barnabas character to pander to "the WB audience." But, we have no official confirmation on this so, like the news from yesterday, this is to remain on the "rumor" side.

That is also not to say that the producers are looking for someone that, say, was the age Jonathan Frid was when he took the role; but it does imply that this new series will be far from being Dawson's Crypt or One Tree On Widow's Hill.

The WB Puts A Stake In Angel
Special thanks to: MediasharX

The WB has decided to give executive producer Joss Whedon proper notice to wrap up storylines, as Smallville's Wednesday night companion Angel's current season will be its last.

"For the last seven years Angel and Buffy the Vampire Slayer have been cornerstones of our network. The sum total of the work done on those shows has produced some of the proudest moments in our history," said WB president Jordan Levin. "(But) like some of the great series that are leaving the air this year, including Frasier and Friends, the cast, crew, writers and producers of Angel deserve to be able to wrap up the series in a way befitting a classic television series and that is why we went to Joss to let him know that this would be the last year of the series on the WB. We have discussed continuing the Angel legacy with special movie events next year, which is still on the table."

To read a complete report, visit MediasharX.

Interestingly, this contradicts Levin's comments at the January 13 Winter Press Tour for the WB, where he had this to say about the possibility of two vampire shows on the network, and if they would interfere with one another: "We haven't seen Dark Shadows yet," he said. "What was interesting about that is that anytime John Wells walks in the door and says he's excited about wanting to do something differently - in this case, a gothic soap opera, you know, based on Dark Shadows - I think that's something you're obviously going to pay attention to. I think that two shows could co-exist. One is an action-adventure franchise, and one is a very gothic soap opera franchise."

Either way, it could be quite possible that Angel's dusting could pave the way for his timeslot be taken by another vampire who will hopefully take a bite into the ratings. Stay tuned.

A New Column! "What I'd Like To See"
BarnabasUndead.com webmaster Craig Byrne lays out his wish list for a new Dark Shadows...

Click here to read it!

WB Pilot Officially Greenlit
The order of a new Dark Shadows pilot for the WB has now started to appear in sources such as Variety. No new details yet, but always good news to see in print!

Dark Shadows A Go!
Special thanks to: The Dark Shadows Festival & Dark Shadows Journal Online

The Dark Shadows Festival has announced today that the new Dark Shadows pilot is indeed going ahead with filming a one-hour pilot for a new show. More news to come as we get it... if anyone knows anything, you know where to find us...

It's Time To Come Out Of The Casket... Welcome to Dark Shadows: Barnabas Undead
Welcome to this webpage devoted to the development of the 2004 remake of the classic TV series Dark Shadows. John Wells (Third Watch, The West Wing) is producing, creator Dan Curtis is signed on, and Smallville writer/producer Mark Verheiden is writing the series pilot.

The series is in consideration to appear on the WB Network. As evidenced by the recent success of Smallville, it seems the WB is keen to reinvent an old franchise to a new generation of fans. It is hoped that a new Shadows would appeal to fans of series such as Buffy, Angel, The X-Files, and Smallville by creators who are experienced with such ideas. Fans of the original still love the series 35 years later. DS fans already have done a spectacular job keeping the original series and its 1991 remake alive, and there are some wonderful sites you can find by clicking here, so don't look for any information on the original series here - instead, check out some of the links!

The pilot for the series is now shooting for a hopeful spot on the Fall 2004 WB schedule. For a list of who has been cast, click here.

This site is brought to you by the same people who brought you KryptonSite (for Smallville) and Gotham Clock Tower (about the late Birds of Prey TV series). It is the first show in our "network" of web sites to not be originally based on a comic book, although there was a Dark Shadows comic in the 1960's and a short-lived one based on the 1991 revival as well. It has always been our intention to create companion sites to go with KryptonSite. After all, things would be pretty boring when the sad day comes when Smallville is over, right? Plus, with viewings of the original series on DVD, the concept seemed so addictive that this was something we really wanted to spread the word about!

A Few Series Hints In The Boston Herald
The November 30, 2003 edition of the Boston Herald featured some quotes from representatives of the WB and Dan Curtis Productions about the new show.

"It's one of our top priorities. The fact it has been off the air for so many years, and there is still a following for the franchise, makes it appealing to us,'' Pam Morrison, the WB's head of programming publicity, told reporter Terry Morrow in November.

Dan Curtis Productions' marketing and promotional director Jim Pierson says the new series will have "a slightly younger slant with the characters."

"Certainly the WB plays genre programming well,'' Pierson said. "(The network is) a little bit more niche oriented. If you look back at Dark Shadows when it first aired, many of the characters were young. They weren't teenagers, but they certainly were in their early 20s. You did have young lovers on the show. The WB has had shows like Felicity and Dawson's Creek. so it is not so much of a stretch (to emphasize) the youth aspect of Dark Shadows. It's very much the basis of the show, anyway.''

"A new Dark Shadows would be adapting (the franchise) to the times, but keeping the original flavor intact,'' Pierson told the paper. "It's an old-fashioned gothic story with a romantic slant.''

Special thanks to the fantastic Dark Shadows Journal Online website for pointing us in the direction of this article.

Jordan Levin Addresses Dark Shadows
Special thanks to: MediasharX

WB President Jordan Levin briefly touched upon the new Dark Shadows at the WB's 2004 TCA Witner Press tour on January 13. Someone asked if a new Dark Shadows would interfere with the WB's other vampire show, Angel, to which this was his response:

"We haven't seen Dark Shadows yet," he said. "What was interesting about that is that anytime John Wells walks in the door and says he's excited about wanting to do something differently - in this case, a gothic soap opera, you know, based on Dark Shadows - I think that's something you're obviously going to pay attention to. I think that two shows could co-exist. One is an action-adventure franchise, and one is a very gothic soap opera franchise."

Dark Shadows and its characters are copyright ©Dan Curtis Productions. This is a fan site and not authorized by the WB or anyone affiliated with the series. This is page copyright ©2004 KryptonSite, unless material is noted as coming from elsewhere.

PLEASE DO NOT TAKE GRAPHICS, NEWS, SPOILERS, ETC. FROM THIS PAGE WITHOUT FIRST ASKING PERMISSION AND PLACING A LINK TO BARNABASUNDEAD.COM. OR, JUST SEND PEOPLE OVER TO THIS SITE! THANKS!