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News: Everything Old is New Again – TNT Greenlights New Series, “Dallas”

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  • July 8, 2011

  • 4 mins to read

L-R Jordana Brewster, Josh Henderson, Linda Gray, Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy, Brenda Strong, Jesse Metcalfe, Julie Gonzalo

Southfork, here we come! Yes, it’s true! Dallas lives again, thanks to TNT who will be running an all-new series based on the long-running (1978-1991) series of the same name. That show highlighted the bitter rivalries and family power struggles within a Texas oil and cattle-ranching dynasty. This time out, the new Dallas will maintain the same rich lifestyle as its predecessor and address the future of the family fortune in the hands of the Ewing offspring: cousins John Ross Ewing (Josh Henderson, Desperate Housewives), the son of J.R. (Larry Hagman) and ex-wife Sue Ellen (Linda Gray), and Christopher Ewing (Jesse Metcalfe, Desperate Housewives), Bobby’s adopted son. Jordana Brewster (Fast & Furious, Chuck) also stars as Elena, who is involved in a love triangle with Christopher and John Ross, Julie Gonzalo (Eli Stone, Veronica Mars) as Christopher’s fiancée, Rebecca, and Brenda Strong (Desperate Housewives) as Ann, Bobby’s wife. The series, slated to premiere next summer, 2012, will have ten episodes.

Viewers will get a sneak peek of Dallas on Monday, July 11, during the season premieres of TNT hit shows, The Closer (9:00 pm ET/PT), and Rizzoli & Isles (10:00 pm ET/PT). The network has also set up a special website, http://www.dallastnt.com, dedicated to the new series, where fans can get a look at the show’s new and returning cast. Fans will also be able to watch sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes videos.

From the TNT press release:

“TNT has explored the possibility of an updated version of DALLAS for several years, but it wasn’t until we read Cynthia Cidre’s outstanding pilot script that we knew we had the foundation for a great new series,” said Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). “It is incredibly exciting to see both new and familiar characters in the hands of a dream cast under the guidance of the enormously talented Cidre and Mike Robin. We couldn’t be more pleased with how DALLAS has come together.”

The original DALLAS aired from 1978 to 1991 and centered on the Ewing family, a cattle and oil dynasty occupying the expansive Southfork Ranch in Texas. A long and bitter rivalry between brothers J.R. Ewing (Hagman) and Bobby Ewing (Duffy) eventually led to J.R. losing control of most of the Ewing industries. In the new DALLAS, this explosive rivalry now lives on through another generation, with the future of the family fortune in the hands of the Ewing offspring: cousins John Ross Ewing (Henderson), the son of J.R. and ex-wife Sue Ellen (Gray), and Christopher Ewing (Metcalfe), the adopted son of Bobby. Brewster stars as Elena, who is involved in a love triangle with Christopher and John Ross. Gonzalo stars as Christopher’s fiancée, Rebecca. And Strong stars as Ann, Bobby’s wife.

Executive producer Cynthia Cidre, who wrote the acclaimed film The Mambo Kings and produced the TV series Cane, wrote the pilot for the new DALLAS. TNT’s series is based on the original series created by David Jacobs. The new Dallas comes to TNT from Warner Horizon Television. Michael M. Robin (The Closer) is the director and executive-producer of the pilot.

Photo courtesy of Martin Schoeller/© 2011 Turner Broadcasting/TNT Network. All rights reserved.

Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!

Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!