In this must-listen/must-watch episode, Daytime Emmy and Saturn Award-winning producer and director Mary O’Leary returns to the podcast to shed light on the question that has haunted Dark Shadows fans since 1971 – WHY DID THE SHOW GET CANCELED? In addition to material she initially presented in her Jonathan Frid documentary, Mary shares information that has never been heard before, including the fact that ABC wanted to cancel another show instead of Dark Shadows. While there are still pieces of the puzzle missing, this episode helps to clear up some long-held misconceptions and may well offer the most compelling answers as to why the show met its demise. IMORTANT NOTE: The VIDEO version of this episode on YouTube features visual evidence in the form of rarely seen letters, articles, and more. Join us for this deep-dive whodunit episode that seeks to answer the question, “why was Dark Shadows canceled?”

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NEWSFLASH! Dark Shadows returns to comics! Curse of Dark Shadows is an officially licensed graphic novel coming from Hermes Press in 2025! In this episode, comics creator Craig Hurd-McKenney (Brontës Infernal Angria, Boris Karloff Gold Key Mysteries, The Lodger), who wrote Curse of Dark Shadows, visits the podcast to give us the scoop on this thrilling new book! Topics of discussion include: Craig’s history with DS and comics, CoDS artwork by Jok and Gervaso, the setting of the story, characters who will appear in the graphic novel, plot teases, and the possibility of an ongoing DS graphic novel series from Hermes! Check out the VIDEO version of this episode on YouTube for an EXCLUSIVE look at the COVER and an INTERIOR PAGE from Curse of Dark Shadows!!!

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The irrepressible Jimmy Hutcheson is a stalwart Dark Shadows fan from Texas who wrote fan fiction and articles for DS fanzines such as Inside the Old House and The World of Dark Shadows. A regular attendee at Dark Shadows Festivals, Seaview Terrace parties, and pop culture events, Jimmy developed friendships with the likes of Lara Parker (Angelique from Dark Shadows) and Jonathan Harris (Dr. Zachary Smith from Lost in Space). In this episode, Jimmy shares some of his fandom memories and reads his fascinating DS fanfic story, ‘An Encounter’, originally published in Inside the Old House issue 44, November/December 1993. Other topics include: Lost in Space and Jonathan Harris, Godzilla, I-Ching wands, the 1991 Dark Shadows series, friendship with ITOH editor Dale Clark, and more!

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Although its run was short-lived, NBC’s 1991 Dark Shadows revival series left indelible fang marks upon its fans. A beautifully produced prime-time series helmed by Dan Curtis himself, the ’91 DS featured the likes of Ben Cross, Joanna Going, Barbara Steele, Jean Simmons, Roy Thinnes, Lysette Anthony, Adrian Paul, and a young Joseph Gordon-Levitt, among many others. While the series generated much excitement among the fanbase and debuted to great success, it was unceremoniously canceled after only twelve episodes. Two of the show’s diehard fans, Dominique Lamssies and Steven Stark, who first became DS fans by way of the 1991 series, visit the podcast to help examine the show’s characters and plotlines. Other topics include: ’91 series merchandise, music, costumes, Collinwood, home video releases, turtleneck sweaters, and more!

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The Dream Curse storyline in Dark Shadows was inspired by an obscure 1957 horror novel called The Dreamers, written by Roger Manvell. Although this was revealed by writer Ron Sproat at the first DS Festival, many remain unaware of the book and its influence on the Dream Curse plot. Returning to the podcast are Amanda Desiree and Stephen R. Shutt, who are both writers and longtime fans of Dark Shadows and all things spooky. We spend the first half of this episode examining The Dreamers, comparing and contrasting the novel to the plot line in the show. In the second half of the episode, we have some fun interpreting the symbolism of the DS Dream Curse as we try to determine the greatest fear of each dreamer.

In the spirit of Dale Clark’s “Dark Shadows Book of Questions and Answers” series comes the first installment of Terror at Collinwood’s Dark Shadows PODCAST of Questions and Answers! In this episode, the following questions are addressed: How can it be that Josette’s maiden name was originally Lafreniere, and that she was said to have died in 1834, when we know this was not the case? Who was Abner Collins? How did Quentin end up sealed in his room in the unaltered version of 1897? How could Dr. Lang know about Dave Woodard? Is Barnabas a hero or a villain? Are the Leviathans aliens? Why was Amy called Molly at first? Listen, as Penny Dreadful unleashes a frenzied torrent of in-universe explanations, with references to everything from H.P. Lovecraft, to Marvel's Punisher, to the plays of William Shakespeare, and more!

As a teenager, Elena Nacanther was one of the devoted Studio Kids who used to hang out at the ABC TV-16 studio during the original run of Dark Shadows. Along with her friend and fellow “Frid Girl” Valerie, Elena volunteered as Jonathan Frid’s personal assistant while Dark Shadows was on the air. Elena later went on to become a successful New York radio producer and director in the city’s #1 market. She remained friends with Jonathan for the rest of his life. Elena visits Terror at Collinwood to share her memories of Jonathan Frid and of being a studio kid in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Other topics of conversation include: Elena and Valerie becoming Jonathan Frid’s assistants, visiting the Collinwood set, Jonathan’s fan mail parties, surprising Grayson Hall, protesting the cancellation of DS, some insight into the reasons Bramwell Collins was created for the show, and much more! NOTE: The YouTube version of this episode features many rare photos from Elena’s personal collection!

Join us to learn “what might have been” in PART TWO of this exclusive examination of John August’s original, unproduced dramatic screenplay for the Tim Burton/Johnny Depp Dark Shadows film. Madelyn Marks, admin of the Dark Shadows Discord server community, and Patrick McCray, writer of ‘The Dark Shadows Daybook’ and ‘The Dark Shadows Daybook Unbound’, sit down with Penny Dreadful for an in-depth discussion about the second half of August’s elusive script, which has never been seen by the public.

Mark Dawidziak is a noted television, film, and theatre critic, author, actor, and Journalism Hall of Fame inductee. He visits the podcast for an in-depth discussion about the pivotal influence of Barnabas Collins on vampire fiction, the importance of Dark Shadows to the horror genre, and the fact that DS often doesn’t get enough credit for the significant impact it continues to have on popular culture. Other topics include: Mark’s conversations with Dan Curtis, Mark’s childhood introduction to horror and DS, writing about Carl Kolchak, Dark Shadows and the cultural influence of the 60’s, Edgar Allan Poe, and much more!

Actress Marie Wallace played the memorable characters Eve, Jenny Collins, and Megan Todd on Dark Shadows. In this episode of Terror at Collinwood, the charming Marie sits down for a fun chat about her career in theatre and television. In addition to discussing her memories of DS and the characters she portrayed on the show, Marie talks about her early theatre experiences, reuniting with Jonathan Frid for ‘The Lion in Winter’, her interactions with ‘Dark Shadows’ fans, photography, her autobiography, painting, and more!

The deeply fascinating but oft-maligned Leviathans arc is the focus of this episode. Acclaimed authors Stephen Mark Rainey and Rick Lai visit the podcast to discuss and analyze this Dark Shadows storyline, while also looking at its inspirations. Other topics include Mark’s official work on the Dark Shadows Big Finish audio plays and the DS novel ‘Dreams of the Dark’, and Rick’s intriguing essay on the Leviathans as well as some of his fictional tales that incorporate nods to DS.

Note: Apologies for the audio issues near the end of this episode.

This special episode of Terror at Collinwood is a celebration of the 55th anniversary of Jonathan Frid’s first appearance as Barnabas Collins on Dark Shadows! The show opens with a delightful discussion featuring special guest David Selby, who portrayed the iconic Quentin Collins in Dark Shadows. Following the interview, there’s a fun and spirited chat with special guests Mary O’Leary, Nancy Kersey and Will McKinley, who worked with Jonathan Frid in the development of his one-man shows in the 1980’s era. Finally, the episode concludes with a rare and exciting recording of Jonathan Frid reading Dead Call by author William F. Nolan, featuring music by David Christenberry/RaveDave60 Music. This episode is dedicated to the memory of Kay Fry.

Daytime Emmy Award-winning producer/director Mary O'Leary visits the podcast to discuss her upcoming documentary, Dark Shadows and Beyond: The Jonathan Frid Story. Mary also talks about her Clunes Associates partnership with Mr. Frid, tells stories about what she discovered in her research for the documentary, discusses Jonathan's experiences with acting, and of course shares insights into Jonathan's time on Dark Shadows.

Penny is joined by Dominique Lamssies, writer and blogger at the University of the Bizarre and head necromancer at the House of Silent Graves Etsy shop. Dominique and Penny are sent on an uncertain and frightening journey into the past as they explore Dark Shadows' groundbreaking 1795 storyline! Other topics include Dominique’s introduction to DS, the intersection of classism and sexism in 18th century Collinsport, Sarah’s powers, and more!

Dark Shadows has a huge following among LGBT+ fans, and this episode celebrates that fact with fun and insightful audio clips from passionate LGBT 'Dark Shadows' fans who express why DS resonates so strongly with them, and why they love the show so much. Featuring: Peter Mac, John Dimes, Bobby Lugosi, David-Elijah Nahmod, John Faust, and Julie M. Grizzle.

Author, pop culture specialist, 'Dark Shadows' historian, and retired English professor, Dr. Jeff Thompson, joins Penny for an examination of the storyline that introduced iconic vampire Barnabas Collins to DS, turning the series into a hit and forever cementing its place in pop culture history. Other topics include Jeff's books on Dan Curtis, his magazine articles, Hermes Press book introductions, the Collinsport Players, Barnabas' influence on subsequent vampire depictions, and more! You won't want to miss this episode of Terror at Collinwood – A Dark Shadows Podcast!