Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure

ABC development executive Vince Peterson meets producer Aaron Spelling to create a series built on greed, manipulation, sex, power, and vanity. The goal is to rival Dallas and look like Sesame Street in tone and ambition. This meeting launches Dynasty's creation.

Writers Esther and Richard Shapiro develop a modern take inspired by I, Claudius. Esther aims to explore real social issues rather than an empty soap with pretty clothes. The concept battles network and advertiser squeamishness from the start.

John Forsythe and Linda Evans are cast as Blake and Krystle Carrington, anchoring the core family at the center of Dynasty. Their pairing provides the show with its charismatic leadership and domestic drama. Production moves forward with their presence.

Creator's plan introduces Alexis, the sharp-tongued ex-wife who will challenge Blake. Joan Collins is cast as the villainess Alexis, a role designed to mirror the scheming JR Ewing archetype. The character quickly becomes a central antagonist for the series.

Heather Locklear is added as Sammy Jo, a sultry, scheming presence who stirs up the Carrington clan. Her arrival amplifies the show's glamour, drama, and love triangles. The character becomes a key catalyst for many plot twists.

ABC pushes to cure Steven's same-sex storyline, insisting the show be more conventional. Al Corley, unhappy with the direction, is replaced as Steven. The change marks a turning point in how the show handles sexuality and on-screen reinventions.

A pivotal Moldavian wedding massacre drives Dynasty toward the #1 spot in ratings. The world learns that Rock Hudson has AIDS after a guest appearance, fueling both controversy and high viewership. The storyline cements Dynasty as an expensive, must-watch soap of its era.

Joan Collins pushes for more money to maintain Alexis' 'nasty' presence on the show. Esther resists, arguing that no one is indispensable. The exchange underscores the behind-the-scenes leverage that shapes the series' longevity.

Ratings begin to slide after the Moldavia storyline, and by the seventh season ABC is talking about cancellation. The once-dominant show faces the usual pressures of aging soaps. The momentum that carried Dynasty waned as viewers drifted away.

Esther files a profit-seeking lawsuit when news surfaces of Spelling Entertainment planning to go public. Tensions rise on set as creative differences and public scrutiny mount, culminating in John Forsythe's outburst about the quality of storylines. The cast and crew feel the strain of Dynasty's changing fortunes.

Season-long discontent leads to Linda Evans leaving Dynasty, signaling a shift in the show's core. Joan Collins endures public scrutiny over her divorce, becoming a focal point of tabloid attention. The off-screen turmoil mirrors the show's troubled late era.

With Dynasty canceled, Esther, Richard, and Aaron approach ABC about a reunion movie to give fans closure. The network is reluctant, but Aaron's influence helps push the project forward. The cast returns at reduced salaries, and a tongue-in-cheek quip about the final Alexis-Krystle catfight signals the show's enduring legacy. Everyone departs smiling, knowing they made history.