House of Dark Shadows

Barnabas is a 175-year-old vampire who infiltrates the Collins family by posing as a refined, English cousin. He uses charm to win their trust while feeding on victims, sparking fear and betrayal across Collinwood. His obsession with Maggie Evans, linked to his memories of Josette, drives many of his actions and escalates the danger to the household. The confrontation with the family culminates in a violent clash with Jeff, Willie, and Stokes.

Elizabeth is the reclusive matriarch of Collinwood who guards the family’s secrets and maintains a fragile veneer of composure. She is initially intrigued by Barnabas but remains wary and protective of her lineage. Her guarded demeanor under pressure reveals a tolerance for secrecy that sustains the house’s mystique. She fights to preserve her family amidst the supernatural upheaval.

Maggie is the governess and Jeff Clark’s girlfriend, drawn into Collinwood’s orbit by Barnabas’s schemes. She bears a striking resemblance to Barnabas’s lost Josette, fueling his fixation on her. She becomes central to the household’s struggle as she is bitten and pursued by the vampire. Her relationship with Jeff anchors a human counterpoint to the supernatural threat.

Willie is the Collins family handyman who frees Barnabas from the mausoleum, becoming entangled in the vampire’s schemes. He is torn between fear and loyalty, trying to protect others even as he becomes part of the danger. In a final act of redemption, he sacrifices himself to slow Barnabas down, meeting a tragic end.

Dr. Julia Hoffman is a scientist who helps Barnabas with serum-based cures, revealing a mix of professional dedication and personal attachment. Her jealousy and fear of losing Barnabas push her to extreme actions, including an overdose that ages him. Her later murder by Barnabas marks a turning point in the struggle for control over Collinwood.

Professor Stokes is a friend of the family who theorizes that recent attacks stem from a vampire. He moves from cautious skeptic to ally in the effort to stop Barnabas. He and Julia drive the investigation forward, even as danger escalates. Both Stokes and Roger meet violent ends as vampires rise from the family’s secrets.

Carolyn is Elizabeth’s daughter who becomes a target of Barnabas after he tastes the thrill of power. She is bitten and becomes a vampire herself, fueling the cycle of terror. Her arc ends when she is cornered and staked, ending her rampage and restoring a fragile balance.

Jeff Clark is the human ally who helps uncover Barnabas’s true nature and protect the family. He pursues the truth alongside Stokes and Maggie, providing the practical force to counter the vampire. He ultimately participates in the climactic defense and witnesses the downfall of Barnabas, aided by Willie’s sacrifice.

David is the young member of the Collins family who becomes a focal point for the vampire’s influence and the house’s turmoil. He is central to the tension as Barnabas’s presence unsettles the household, with the family’s efforts balancing superstition and science in the fight to keep him safe.