‘All the Dark Twists’: ‘Dark Shadows’ TV Show Reboot Just Announced—Just in Time for the 60th Anniversary
The show has returned in many forms—now vampire Barnabas Collins rises again in animation
Key Takeaways
- Warner Bros. Animation is developing a new adult animated series based on the gothic soap opera
- Since its debut, 'Dark Shadows' has expanded into films, reboots and multiple revival attempts.
- The popularity of Barnabas Collins and the Collins family continues to fuel new adaptations.
Just as the 1966 to 1971 gothic horror soap opera Dark Shadows is celebrating its 60th anniversary, Warner Bros Animation has announced that a new adult animated series is in the works, the expectation being that it will actually continue the original show in some form or another. Here’s how WBA describes the show: “Blending gothis, horror and supernatural genres, this coming adaptation promises all the dark twists and romantic intrigue that defined the transformational series across its 12oo-plus episode run.”
Dark Shadows began as more of a gothic mystery set at the Collinwood mansion, but with the show suffering from anemic ratings, the decision was made to begin incorporating true elements of the supernatural, ranging from an occasional ghost to the story of a Phoenix who has come to reclaim her son and use him to have her reborn in flames. The ratings began to go up with those stories, so a vampire in the form of Jonathan Frid’s Barnabas Collins was added, turning the show into a true daytime phenomenon. From there, the supernatural elements began to include witches, zombies, time travel, parallel universes and so much more.
Leading the creative team is Lisa Holdsworth, who will serve as executive producer and showrunner. Holdsworth brings significant genre credentials to the project, having created Channel 4’s Dreamers and written for the supernatural drama A Discovery of Witches as well as the long-running BBC hit Call the Midwife. Her background in blending emotional storytelling with fantasy and period elements could make her a natural fit for the gothic world of Dark Shadows.
Joining her as executive producers are Cathy Curtis, Tracy Curtis, Eric Homan, Kevin Kolde and Fred Seibert. Kolde, in particular, is well known in genre circles as a producer on Netflix’s Castlevania and Castlevania: Nocturne, making his involvement especially notable given the similar gothic-horror DNA. Seibert, meanwhile, has spent decades helping launch influential animated projects, including Adventure Time and Castlevania through his Frederator banner.
At the moment, the Dark Shadows animated series remains in development, with Warner Bros. Animation offering no details on a release window or production timeline. For now, fans only know that Collinsport is preparing to rise again—this time in animated form.
Previous resurrections
What makes the new animated series especially notable is that Dark Shadows has never truly disappeared. Although the original ABC daytime series ended in 1971, the franchise has repeatedly returned in new forms over the decades, proving the enduring appeal of Barnabas Collins, Collinsport and the gothic mythology surrounding them. From feature films to reboots and attempted revivals, Dark Shadows has continued to evolve while introducing new generations to its world of vampires, ghosts, witches and family secrets.
House of Dark Shadows (1970)
Released while the original series was still on the air, House of Dark Shadows brought Barnabas Collins to the big screen. Starring Jonathan Frid, the film retold Barnabas’ story with a darker tone, more explicit violence and greater horror elements than daytime television allowed.
Night of Dark Shadows (1971)
The second feature shifted away from Barnabas and instead focused on Quentin Collins, played by David Selby. Leaning heavily into supernatural gothic horror, the film explored possession, ghosts and curses tied to the Collins family legacy.
The 1991 Primetime Revival
NBC revived Dark Shadows as a primetime drama in 1991, with Ben Cross taking over the role of Barnabas. The reboot earned praise for its production values and darker tone, but despite a loyal following, it lasted only 12 episodes.
The 2004 Pilot
A new pilot was produced for the WB in 2004, starring Alec Newman as Barnabas Collins and Jessica Chastain in an early-career role. Despite fan interest, the pilot was never picked up to series.
Dark Shadows (2012)
Directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins, the 2012 film took a more comedic approach to the material. While visually striking and filled with Burton’s signature gothic style, the film divided longtime fans with its blend of horror, camp and comedy.
While fans await word on whether or not the new show will pick up where the original left off—a distinct possibility given the medium—the bigger question is whether the characters will use the likenesses of Frid and co-stars like Lara Parker, Kathryn Leigh Scott, David Selby, Louis Edmonds and Joan Bennett, many of whom are no longer with us.
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