“Dynasty” premiered on Monday, January 12, 1981, on ABC at 9:00 p.m. EST/8:00 p.m. PST, for the initial run. Then, after the show moved to Wednesday, it stayed there for the following seven years, being at 9:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT, the most frequent time slot, on the same day, for four years.
The mansion used for the Carrington mansion was the Filoli Estate in Woodside, California, near San Francisco. The estate was also used in the Warren Beatty film “Heaven Can Wait”(1978). Exteriors of Filoli were used in the opening credits and throughout the series, but a replica set was built for interior scenes.
When they first show the Alexis character entering the court room at the end of season one she was not even cast yet; an extra was playing the part. The reason she's wearing a huge brim hat, a veil and sunglasses is because Spelling doesn't want you to see the extra's face too clearly.
Alexis Carrington was originally conceived as a low key, passive-aggressive villainess. Joan Collins suggested that the writers portray Alexis as a female version of J.R. Ewing. ABC executives agreed, feeling that "Dynasty" needed a J.R.-type character to go head-to-head with "Dallas" (1978).
Joan Collins and John Forsythe did not get along. Ironically, she got along fine with Linda Evans
Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor and Raquel Welch were considered for the role of Alexis.
Angie Dickinson turned down the role of Krystle because she thought the show wouldn't last more than one season, and because she perceived the character of Krystle to be weak.
In the late 1980s, this was the most popular television series in Yugoslavia.
John James originally tested for the role of Steven.
Pamela Sue Martin had really wanted the role of Krystle, but she was too young for it and was cast as Blake's daughter Fallon instead.
“Dynasty” tied for People's Choice Award for the best drama twice.
Launched the acting careers of Heather Locklear and John James.
Costume designer Nolan Miller designed approximately 3,000 costumes over the course of the series, saying "I never want to see them wearing the same outfit twice." His weekly wardrobe budget was $35,000.
At the height of the show's success, it was reported that the producers were spending as much as $25,000 per episode on fresh flowers to decorate the lavish sets. In later seasons, producers were forced to cut the show's immense budget so they started using artificial flowers made from silk that could be reused again and again.
"Dynasty" was Rock Hudson's last acting role. Hudson died of AIDS on October 2, 1985. At the time, AIDS was thought to be transmitted by casual contact, and many feared for Linda Evans's health because she'd kissed Hudson in a scene. A minor panic about kissing scenes broke out in Hollywood.
Following her departure from “Dynasty” at the end of the fourth season in 1984, Pamela Sue Martin was asked to reprise the role of Fallon in “The Colbys” (1985) but declined, which led to the controversial casting of Emma Samms in the role.
Burt Lancaster was originally considered for the role of Jason Colby, while Katharine Hepburn was considered for the role of Constance Colby on "The Colbys."
Before accepting the role of Jason Colby, Charlton Heston was considering a run for a US senate seat in California.
Faye Dunaway was originally offered the role of Sable Colby (eventually played by Stephanie Beacham), but her high salary demands shut down negotiations. Later, Diana Rigg and Susannah York also turned down the role.
"The Colbys" was the final acting project for actress Barbara Stanwyck.
Unlike John Forsythe and some other "Dynasty” stars, Joan Collins categorically refused to appear on "The Colbys."
Katharine Ross is only 16 years older than John James, who plays her onscreen son Jeff Colby on “The Colbys.”
Each episode of "The Colbys" cost approximately $1 million to make. This made it one of the most expensive TV series of the 1980s. Such costs were also a factor in the series cancellation.
Following the cancellation of the series, Charlton Heston was offered the opportunity to continue playing Jason Colby as a regular on "Dynasty" by the producers. Heston ultimately declined because the producers could not meet his salary expectations.
When "The Colbys" was canceled in 1987, John James and Emma Samms were offered and accepted contracts to continue playing their roles on "Dynasty." Stephanie Beacham and Tracy Scoggins were offered and accepted contracts for "Dynasty" during the 1988-89 season, while Maxwell Caulfield resumed his role in 1991's "Dynasty: The Reunion."
By the end of "Dynasty", Alexis' full name was Alexis Morrell Carrington Colby Dexter Rowan.
“Dynasty” ran from 1981 to 1989, this was the only one of the four major American prime time soap operas of the 1980s to air in its entirety during that decade: “Dallas” ran from 1978 to 1991, “Knots Landing” ran from 1979 to 1993 and “Falcon Crest” ran from 1981 to 1990.
Trivia items from IMDB
Listen to my fascinating conversation with actor John James who played Jeff Colby on “Dynasty” and “The Colbys” by clicking the links below
Episode 9 - HERE
Episode 10 - HERE
