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The CW Aims to Reboot Campy ’80s Soap ‘Dynasty’ With a Modern Story

Original creators Esther and Richard Shapiro are on board, along with "Gossip Girl" producers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage.
Dynasty
The cast of "Dynasty"
Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock

Break out the mud (but get rid of the shoulder pads): The CW is prepping a new, modern remake of the classic primetime soap “Dynasty.”

Among the changes: In this version, Krystle (originally played by Linda Evans) is now Cristal, a Latina woman marrying into the Carrington clan.

Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage are developing the new show, along with Sallie Patrick (“Revenge”). The husband-wife duo who originally created “Dynasty,” Esther Shapiro and Richard Shapiro, are also attached as executive producers.

Heather Locklear and Emma Samms, "Dynasty"
Heather Locklear and Emma Samms, “Dynasty”REX/Shutterstock

The “modernized reboot” will still feature the gist of the 1980s original. Here’s the logline: “[Dynasty] follows two of America’s wealthiest families, the Carringtons and the Colbys, as they feud for control over their fortune and their children. The series will be told primarily through the perspectives of two women at odds: Fallon Carrington — daughter of billionaire Blake Carrington — and her soon-to-be stepmother, Cristal — a Hispanic woman marrying into this WASP family and America’s most powerful class. In an age where dynasties appear everywhere — from reality TV to the polling booths — this epic drama features the one percent in all its glitz and gloss, while exposing the dark underbelly: a corrupt world built on backroom deals, betrayal, and, in some cases, murder.”

READ MORE: ‘The O.C.’ Is Still Relevant, Bitch

Of course, this isn’t the first time that The CW has revisited a classic Aaron Spelling property. “90210,” the network’s revisit of “Beverly Hills, 90210,” ran for five seasons starting in 2008. That also led to a brief revival of “Melrose Place” in 2009.

“Dynasty,” of course, was a 1980s pop culture phenom, airing for nine seasons between 1981 and 1989. The sudser, ABC’s answer to CBS’ “Dallas” (which was also recently revived, on TNT), was the No. 1 show in the United States during the 1984-1985 TV season.

Linda Evans and Joan Collins, "Dynasty"
Linda Evans and Joan Collins, “Dynasty”REX/Shutterstock

Besides Evans, the original “Dynasty” starred John Forsythe, Joan Collins, Emma Samms, Diahann Carroll, Pamela Sue Martin, Heather Locklear and many others. The show also spawned the spinoff “The Colbys,” and was later revisited via the 1991 miniseries “Dynasty: The Reunion.”

READ MORE: The 20 Best TV Dramas of the Last 20 Years

Should it go to series, the new “Dynasty” would also represent a reunion for Schwartz and Savage with The CW. The duo also produced “Gossip Girl,” “Hart of Dixie” and “The Carrie Diaries” at the network.

Schwartz’s and Savage’s Fake Empire label is producing with CBS TV Studios. Fake Empire exec Lis Rowinski will co-executive produce the series.

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