Barnabas Collins is a
fictional character, one of the feature characters in the
ABC soap opera serial
Dark Shadows, which aired from 1966 to 1971. Originally played by
Canadian actor
Jonathan Frid, Barnabas Collins is a 200-year-old
vampire who is in search of fresh blood and his lost love, Josette. The character of Barnabas Collins was introduced to the serial in a last-effort attempt to resurrect the flagging ratings. The role of Barnabas Collins was originally intended to be a brief one, to run but a mere 13 weeks, but the popularity of the character and the quick spike in ratings resulted in his continuing on and becoming virtually the star of the show.
In the 1991
NBC revival series of
Dark Shadows, British actor
Ben Cross played the role of Barnabas Collins and in
the recent series of audio dramas produced by
Big Finish Productions he was portrayed by
Andrew Collins. He will be played by
Johnny Depp in
the 2011 film by director
Tim Burton.
Barnabas Collins's origin
Barnabas Collins was a member of the late 18th century-era Collins family, from the fictional town of Collinsport, Maine. He was the son of
Joshua Collins (
Louis Edmonds) and
Naomi Collins (
Joan Bennett). In 1795, he intended to marry an heiress from Martinique named
Josette du Pres (
Kathryn Leigh Scott), although he also had a brief affair with Angelique Bouchard (
Lara Parker), Josette's maidservant.
Upon Angelique's arrival in Collinsport for the wedding, Barnabas was determined not to resume his affair....
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