Dallas Information

Dallas is an American prime time television soap opera developed by Cynthia Cidre and produced by Warner Horizon Television. The series is a continuation of the original series of the same name that aired on CBS from 1978 to 1991, though it does not follow the events of the TV movies Dallas: J.R. Returns (1996) and Dallas: War of the Ewings (1998). Executive producer Cidre serves as showrunner. Other executive producers include Bruce Rasmussen, Michael M. Robin, Ken Topolsky and Bryan J. Raber. Dallas centers on the Ewing clan, an enormously wealthy Texas family whose sibling rivalries, romantic betrayals, corruption and even murder are truly legendary.

The drama brought back three iconic stars from the original Dallas: Patrick Duffy as Bobby Ewing, Linda Gray as Sue Ellen Ewing and Larry Hagman as J.R. Ewing. They are joined by the next generation of Ewings, who take ambition and deception to a new level. Josh Henderson is John Ross Ewing III, the son of J.R. and Sue Ellen Ewing, while Jesse Metcalfe is Christopher Ewing, Bobby's adopted son.

The series is made for TNT, sister company to Warner Bros. Television, which has owned the original series since its purchase of Lorimar Productions (the original show's production company) in 1989. On July 8, 2011, after viewing the completed pilot episode, TNT gave a green light for the series with a 10-episode order, which premiered on June 13, 2012.

Advance screening reviews of the series were generally positive from critics on Metacritic.

On June 29, 2012, TNT renewed Dallas for a second season consisting of 15 episodes, which premiered on January 28, 2013.

Plot

The series revolves around the Ewings, a wealthy Dallas family in the oil and cattle-ranching industries. It focuses mainly on Christopher Ewing (Jesse Metcalfe), the adopted son of Bobby (Patrick Duffy) and Pamela (Barnes) Ewing, and John Ross Ewing III (Josh Henderson), the son of J. R. (Larry Hagman) and Sue Ellen Ewing (Linda Gray). Both John Ross and Christopher were born during the original series' run and were featured in it as children (although played by different actors). Now grown up, John Ross has become almost a carbon copy of his father, bent on oil, money, and greed. Christopher, meanwhile, has become a lot like Bobby, in that he is more interested in the upkeep of Southfork Ranch, much like his adoptive father. As an additional point of contention, Christopher is also becoming a player in alternative energy (methane clathrate recovery), thereby eschewing the oil business. However John Ross is determined to resurrect the Ewings' former position in the oil industry.

Alongside John Ross and Christopher, original series characters Bobby, J. R., and Sue Ellen return in full capacity for the new series. Additional familiar characters, including J. R.'s and Bobby's niece Lucy Ewing Cooper (Charlene Tilton), their half brother Ray Krebbs (Steve Kanaly), and Ewing family rival Cliff Barnes (Ken Kercheval) appear occasionally as guest stars.

New main characters include Bobby's third wife, Ann (Brenda Strong); Christopher's to be ex-wife Rebecca/Pamela Barnes (Julie Gonzalo); and Elena Ramos (Jordana Brewster), the daughter of the Ewing family cook, who is caught in a love triangle with Christopher and John Ross.

Production

Prior to Dallas, Cidre was best known for producing and writing episodes of "Cane", an American television drama that chronicled the lives and internal power struggles of a powerful and wealthy Cuban-American family running an immensely successful rum and sugar cane business in South Florida. In 2010, TNT announced it would order a pilot for the continuation of the Dallas series. The pilot was filmed in and around the city of Dallas in early 2011. Production began in late August 2011 in Dallas on the remaining nine episodes in the first season order, based in studios constructed for the FOX television series The Good Guys.

Executive producer Cynthia Cidre wrote the pilot script, while Michael M. Robin served as the director and executive producer for the pilot. The pilot script is based on characters created by David Jacobs. A sneak preview of the series, including clips from the pilot episode, aired on July 11, 2011, during an episode of TNT's Rizzoli & Isles. Patrick Duffy stated that the new show is "exactly the same [as the old show], but it's 2012. We consider this year 14 of the show. It's exactly as if [viewers] forgot which channel we were on."

Jacobs reviewed the original pilot script and gave his blessing to the new series; he otherwise has chosen not to participate in its production. A dispute erupted when the opening credits were originally planned to read "Developed by Cynthia Cidre, based on Dallas created by David Jacobs". But upon the determination of the Writers Guild of America's screenwriting credit system, there are currently two separate credits: one listing Jacobs as the show's sole creator and another listing Cidre as the new show's developer.

Continuity

The new series is a continuation of the old series following a 20-year break, during which the characters and their relationships continued unseen until today. It does not take the events of the TV movies Dallas: J.R. Returns or Dallas: War of the Ewings into context. Instead, we find the characters having evolved over the last 20 years. Cynthia Cidre, show developer, has confirmed that the new series does not pick up from where the TV movies left off, because the movies had tried to resolve lingering plot lines in two hours. It continues from the events of the 14th season, their development and consequences extrapolated to 2012.

Production crew

Cynthia Cidre, Bruce Rasmussen, Michael M. Robin, Ken Topolsky and Bryan J. Raber serve as executive producers for the show. Rasmussen had previously worked as the supervising producer with the hit TV series Roseanne, for which he was awarded the Golden Globe.

In the first two seasons, Jesse Bochco and Michael M. Robin have been the most prolific directors, each directing five episodes.

Filming

Unlike the original series, which did limited location shooting in Texas but was filmed primarily in Los Angeles, principal photography for the new series takes place in and around Dallas. The new series is also doing location shooting at the actual Southfork Ranch in the northern Dallas suburb of Parker, Texas.

Opening sequence

The opening sequence features a shortened version of the original theme music, and echoes the original series opening with modernized shots of Dallas in sliding panels. Unlike the original series, no cast photos are used, and the actors are not listed alphabetically. Josh Henderson and Jesse Metcalfe alternate top billing, and the original stars are credited at the end ("with Patrick Duffy," "and Linda Gray," "and Larry Hagman as J.R. Ewing").

Cast and characters

Regular cast

• Josh Henderson as John Ross Ewing III, the son of J.R. and Sue Ellen. Ambitious and anxious to prove himself by following in his father's footsteps, he is determined to start drilling for oil at Southfork.
• Jesse Metcalfe as Christopher Ewing, the adopted son of Bobby and his ex-wife Pamela Barnes Ewing. The biological son of Sue Ellen's younger sister Kristin Shepard. In the pilot, after spending years in Asia researching alternative energies, Christopher returns to Southfork, to get married.
• Jordana Brewster as Elena Ramos, the daughter of the Ewing family cook, and childhood friend of Christopher and John Ross, both of whom are in love with her. She has a masters degree in energy resources.
• Julie Gonzalo as Pamela Rebecca Barnes, Under the alias of Rebecca Sutter she marries Christopher in the pilot and is now pregnant with twins. It is revealed in the season one finale that she is Pamela Rebecca Barnes, Cliff Barnes' daughter with Afton Cooper.
• Brenda Strong as Ann Ewing, Bobby's third wife and an old friend of Sue Ellen. She has stepped into the role of matriarch of Southfork with grace and dignity while, at the same time, proving that she can more than hold her own with her crooked brother-in-law, J.R, as well as her equally ruthless ex-husband Harris.
• Emma Bell as Emma Brown (Season 2) Daughter of Ann Ewing and Harris Ryland. Her birth name is revealed in the second season as Emma Judith Ryland.
• Mitch Pileggi as Harris Ryland (Season 1 recurring, Season 2 regular), owner of Ryland Trucking and Shipping and Ann's ex-husband. Ruthless and always eager for more power, he has been shown enjoying tormenting his former wife, as well as trying to blackmail Sue Ellen and suing Bobby. Note: Mitch previously played a very minor character named Morrisey who was in conflict with JR (4 episode appearance from 1989-1990 see film bio of actor for source)
• Kuno Becker as Drew Ramos (Season 2), Elena's troubled brother. He witnessed his father's death, which turned him into an angry juvenile delinquent. He ended up enlisting in the military and after a tour in Iraq straightened him up, he found work on oil rigs all over the globe.
• Patrick Duffy as Bobby Ewing, the youngest son of Jock and Miss Ellie and the adoptive father of Christopher. A family man at heart and owner of the Southfork Ranch, Bobby is determined to keep the promise he made to his now-deceased mother: never to allow oil drilling on Southfork.
• Linda Gray as Sue Ellen Ewing, the mother of John Ross and J.R.'s ex-wife. Since leaving J.R., Sue Ellen has grown confident and influential with a budding career in politics and is currently running for governor. She still harbours feelings of guilt for using John Ross in revenge against J.R. during his childhood.
• Larry Hagman as J.R. Ewing, (Seasons 1"?2.07) The eldest son of Jock and Miss Ellie and John Ross's father. A cunning and ruthless oil baron, J.R. has spent his recent years in a nursing home, being treated for clinical depression. Now back in business, he will stop at nothing to get back into power. Hagman died during production of season 2, signalling the on-screen death of J.R. Ewing.

Recurring cast

• Carlos Bernard as Vicente Cano (season 1-2.06), a Venezuelan businessman who finances J.R.'s and John Ross' deal with Veronica. When the Ewings fail to hold up their end of the deal, he turns violent until he eventually is sentenced to prison, after his house is raided by Federal agents. In season 2, he escapes from the supervision of the Venezuelan consul general while awaiting extradition. He holds the Ewings hostage at Southfork to force Christopher to turn over his methane extraction technology, but this attempt fails and he is shot dead by Elena's brother Drew.
• Brett Brock as Clyde Marshall (season 1 - present), a private investigator hired by John Ross.
• Richard Dillard as Mitch Lobell (season 1 only), the Ewing family attorney. He double crosses Bobby in an agreement with J.R. and John Ross. He then skips town after his crooked dealings are revealed and J.R. turns on him.
• Akai Draco as Sheriff Derrick (season 1- present), the Braddock County sheriff.
• Marlene Forte as Carmen Ramos (season 1- present), the faithful Southfork cook and Elena's mother.
• Callard Harris as Tommy Sutter (season 1 only), Rebecca's supposed older brother, involved in her plot to extort money from Christopher. It is eventually revealed they are not actually brother and sister, but lovers. As Rebecca's feelings for Christopher grow stronger, their relationship begins to crack, until Rebecca accidentally kills Tommy in a fight.
• Steve Kanaly as Ray Krebbs (season 1- present), Jock's illegitimate son and the half-brother of J.R., Bobby and Gary. A main character in the original series until he left for Europe during season 12.
• Ken Kercheval as Cliff Barnes (season 1- present), the long time rival of J.R., as well as the half-brother of Christopher's adoptive mother and Bobby's first wife, Pamela. At the end of the original series, Cliff managed to gain control of Ewing Oil and now - wealthier than ever - his ongoing feud with the Ewings in general and J.R. in particular, continues. As shown in the first season finale, Cliff is behind Rebecca's scheming, as Rebecca's identity as Cliff's daughter is revealed. He was a main character in the original series, appearing throughout its run.
• John McIntosh as Dr. Bennett (season 1- present), Bobby's doctor.
• Glenn Morshower as Lou Rosen (season 1- present), Bobby's new attorney who takes over after Mitch Lobell skips town.
• Kevin Page as Steve "Bum" Jones (season 1- present), a private detective hired by J.R. to do his dirty work.
• Faran Tahir as Frank Ashkani (season 1- season 2), Cliff's menacing right hand man. Born Rahid Durani in Islamabad, he was taken off the streets by Cliff some 30 years ago. Cliff gave him a proper education and eventually hired him as his private driver. Committed suicide while being arraigned for Tommy Sutter's murder.
• Charlene Tilton as Lucy Ewing Cooper (season 1- present), niece of J.R. and Bobby and the older cousin of John Ross and Christopher. She is the daughter of Gary and Valene Ewing and was a main character in the original series.
• Leonor Varela as Veronica Martinez/Marta Del Sol (season 1 only), a mentally unstable con artist who pretends to be a Mexican heiress. She is involved with J.R. and John Ross's plans to take over Southfork, until they turn on her and she is murdered by Vicente's gang.
• Judith Light as Judith Brown Ryland (season 2), Harris Ryland's mother, "an authoritative and controlling battleaxe who will fight to the death to protect the people she loves".
• Joan Van Ark as Valene Ewing (season 2- present), wife of Gary Ewing, mother of Lucy. The character originated on Dallas before moving to Knots Landing.
• Ted Shackelford as Gary Ewing (season 2- present), Lucy Ewing's father and J.R. and Bobby Ewing's brother, the "black sheep" of the family. Gary and Valene were recurring characters in the original series, and later became main characters in the spin-off series Knots Landing.
• Audrey Landers as Afton Cooper Pamela Rebecca Barnes' mother and Cliff's ex-girlfriend.
• Lee Majors as Ken Richards, an old flame of Sue Ellen's.
• Kurt Krakowian as Sue Ellen's campaign aide (seasons 1 & 2); also as club/restaurant patrons (season 2).

Episodes

See List of Dallas (2012 TV series) episodes for more information

The first season premiered on June 13, 2012, and introduces the central characters of the show: John Ross Ewing III, Christopher Ewing, Elena Ramos, Rebecca Sutter, Ann Ewing, Bobby Ewing, Sue Ellen Ewing and J.R. Ewing. The main focus of the first season is on the discovery of oil reserves on Southfork by John Ross and attempts by him and his father, J.R. to steal the land from Bobby. Other storylines in this season include the love triange between John Ross, Christopher and Elena; Christopher's marriage to Rebecca; Sue Ellen's plans to run for Governor of Texas and Bobby's health problems.

The second season premiered on January 28, 2013, with three new series regulars joining the cast. Mitch Pileggi, who guest-starred in the first season, plays Harris Ryland, Ann's manipulative and cunning ex-husband. Emma Bell is Emma Brown, a sheltered beauty whose father has taught her to distrust the world around her. And Kuno Becker is Drew Ramos, Elena's troubled brother who returns to Southfork to continue drilling on his father's land. On November 23, 2012, Larry Hagman (who played J.R. Ewing) died of acute myeloid leukemia. On December 11, the producers announced that J. R. Ewing's funeral will take place in the second season. The funeral episode, titled "J.R.'s Masterpiece" aired on March 11, 2013 with Hagman's name being formally removed from the title cards. The main focus of the second season will be on the death of J.R. Ewing. Other storylines in this season include the revelation to the Ewings of Rebecca's true identity as Rebecca Barnes; and the fight between the Ewing family for control of Ewing Energies.

Ratings

Season	# Ep.	Premiered		Ended		Average Viewers (in millions)
		Date	Viewers (in millions)	Date	Viewers (in millions)
1	10		6.86		4.29	4.5
2	15		2.98

DVD releases

DVD Title	Region 1	Region 2
The Complete First Season	8 January, 2013	12 November, 2012

International broadcast

In the UK, Dallas is screened on Channel 5 from September 5, 2012. In Canada, the series airs on Bravo. In Australia, the series aired on the Nine Network; however, after a few episodes, it was rested due to poor ratings. In Italy, the series was aired on Canale 5 as it was in the early 1980s, but after only two weeks it was cancelled due to poor ratings; the rest of season 1 was aired on La5, another Mediaset channel.

Country	Network	Premiere / air dates
	Warner Channel	June 18, 2012 " present
	Nine Network	August 22, 2012 " present
	ORF	January 27, 2013
	RTBF (French)	November 15, 2012
	Vijf (Dutch)	September, 2012
	Bravo (English)	June 13, 2012 " present
	TVA (French)	April 2013
	Nova	January 3, 2013
	Kanal 4	August 7, 2012 " present
	MTV3, AVA	November 2, 2012
	TF1	TBD, 2013
	RTL Television (Season 1)	January 29, 2013
	Super RTL (Season 2-)	April 8, 2013(moved from RTL to it's sister channel due to low ratings)
	RTL Klub	August 29, 2012 " present
	Stöð 2	June 15, 2012 " present
	WarnerTV	November 29, 2012 " present
	TV3	September 3, 2012 " present
	Yes Drama	August 5, 2012 " present
	La5	October 16, 2012 " present
	Melita More	October 7, 2012 " present
	NET 5	September 4, 2012 " present
	TV One	Double episodes from December 28, 2012
	TV 2	July 2, 2012 " present
	Polsat	TBD, 2013
	RTP1	January 20th, 2013
	Jack City	TBD, 2013
	Antena 1	January 12, 2013 - present
	CTC	TBD, 2013
	Markíza	January 2, 2013
	POP BRIO	September 14, 2012
	M-Net	August 28, 2012 " present
	TNT	June 18, 2012 " present
	TV4	August 20, 2012 " Present
	Star TV	August 18, 2012 " present
	Channel 5	September 5, 2012 " (moved to a late night slot from February 12, 2013 due to low ratings) present