The Carrington Dynasty: 15 Shocking Updates On The Cast Of Dynasty (1981) And Where They Are Now In 2025

Decades after the final credits rolled on the original *Dynasty* in 1989, the legendary primetime soap opera remains a cultural touchstone, synonymous with power, shoulder pads, and unforgettable rivalries. The show, which premiered on ABC in 1981, captivated millions with the glamorous, cutthroat lives of the Carrington family, led by oil tycoon Blake Carrington and his angelic new wife, Krystle, whose world was upended by the arrival of his vengeful ex-wife, Alexis. As of late 2025, the surviving members of this iconic cast are proving that the drama and ambition of their characters were not just confined to the screen, with major new projects, personal milestones, and stunning public appearances keeping them firmly in the spotlight.

The enduring legacy of *Dynasty* is a testament to its stellar ensemble, who brought the high-stakes world of Denver's elite to life. From Dame Joan Collins's recent casting in a major biopic to Linda Evans's mysterious new project teased for 2025, the original stars are generating headlines that are just as dramatic as the show's famous lily pond catfight. This is the definitive, up-to-the-minute look at the legendary cast of the 1981 series and their lives today, including fresh details you won't find anywhere else.

The Original Carrington Dynasty: A Complete Cast Biography List

The core ensemble of *Dynasty* featured some of the most recognizable faces of the 1980s. Here is a biographical snapshot of the main cast members who defined the series:

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• John Forsythe (Blake Carrington): Born January 29, 1918, in Penns Grove, New Jersey. Key Role: The powerful, often ruthless patriarch of the Carrington family. Status: Deceased (April 1, 2010).
• Linda Evans (Krystle Carrington): Born November 18, 1942, in Hartford, Connecticut. Key Role: Blake's kind-hearted second wife and the show's moral center, known for her rivalry with Alexis. Status: Active, with a major project teased for 2025.
• Joan Collins (Alexis Carrington Colby): Born May 23, 1933, in Paddington, London, England. Key Role: Blake's manipulative, glamorous ex-wife and Krystle's arch-rival, whose arrival in Season 2 saved the show's ratings. Status: Highly Active, continuing a prolific acting and public career.
• Pamela Sue Martin (Fallon Carrington Colby #1): Born January 5, 1953, in Westport, Connecticut. Key Role: Blake's rebellious, eldest daughter from his marriage to Alexis. Status: Active in behind-the-scenes projects and screenwriting.
• Al Corley (Steven Carrington #1): Born May 22, 1956, in Wichita, Kansas. Key Role: Blake's sensitive and principled son, notable for being one of the first openly gay characters on a primetime soap. Status: Active, with a career in music and film production.
• John James (Jeff Colby): Born April 18, 1956, in New Jersey. Key Role: The handsome, often-jilted husband of Fallon and a central figure in the spin-off, *The Colbys*. Status: Active in film, theatre, and the entertainment industry.
• Pamela Bellwood (Claudia Blaisdel): Born June 26, 1951, in New York City, New York. Key Role: The emotionally fragile, recurring character whose life was intertwined with the Carringtons' drama. Status: Retired from acting, focusing on art.
• Heather Locklear (Sammy Jo Carrington): Born September 25, 1961, in Los Angeles, California. Key Role: Krystle's troublemaking niece who later married Steven Carrington. Status: Active, with a major TV revival project confirmed.

The Rivalry Continues: Latest Updates on Joan Collins and Linda Evans in 2025

The on-screen feud between Krystle and Alexis, personified by Linda Evans and Joan Collins, remains the show's most potent legacy. Today, both actresses are enjoying renewed attention and career milestones in their 80s, proving that their star power has never diminished.

Joan Collins (Alexis Carrington Colby): A New Biopic Role and A 2025 Lifetime Award

Dame Joan Collins, whose arrival in the second season is credited with catapulting *Dynasty* into a global phenomenon, continues to maintain a relentless professional schedule. In a significant career update, Collins has been cast in the upcoming biopic *The Bitter End*, where she will portray the controversial socialite Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor. This casting has generated considerable buzz, highlighting her continued relevance in major film projects.

Adding to her list of accolades, Collins was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Women in Film and TV Awards in late 2025, celebrating her decades-long impact on the industry. Despite her advanced age, she remains a fixture on the international social scene, having been spotted enjoying St. Tropez with her fifth husband, Percy Gibson, in 2025. Her enduring glamour and sharp wit continue to make her a favorite subject for interviews, where she often reflects on the legendary on-set rivalry with Linda Evans, a key element of the show's topical authority.

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Linda Evans (Krystle Carrington): Teasing a Major 2025 Project

Linda Evans, the epitome of grace as Krystle Carrington, has largely stepped away from the relentless Hollywood spotlight in recent decades, focusing on a more private life and personal wellness. However, in a huge treat for fans, the actress teased a "major project in the works for the upcoming year" (2025) in a recent social media post.

The *Dynasty* star, who celebrated her 83rd birthday in late 2025, stunned fans with her "ageless beauty" in a video shared on her Instagram account to kick off the new year. Evans’s focus on a holistic lifestyle and spiritual well-being has been a consistent theme of her post-*Dynasty* life, a stark contrast to the high-society drama of her character.

Where Are They Now: The Next Generation of the Carrington Clan

While Blake and Krystle were the heart of the show, their children and extended family provided much of the drama and are still making headlines today.

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Heather Locklear (Sammy Jo Carrington): The Return to Primetime Soap

Heather Locklear, who joined the series as the sassy, ambitious niece Sammy Jo, is making a significant return to the world of primetime soap operas. In a major announcement, Locklear is set to reprise her iconic role as Amanda Woodward in a revival of *Melrose Place*. The news of her return, alongside original co-stars, confirms her enduring status as a television icon and is one of the biggest updates for the *Dynasty* cast in 2024–2025. Locklear has maintained a steady career in television and film, having successfully navigated personal challenges, including achieving sobriety in recent years.

John James (Jeff Colby): Broadway and Industry Focus

John James, who played the perpetually unlucky-in-love Jeff Colby, continued his career on the small screen after *Dynasty* with recurring roles on daytime soaps like *As the World Turns* and *All My Children*. More recently, James has focused on the stage, headlining national Broadway tours. In a 2025 update, James was also associated with a talent booking agency, indicating his continued, active involvement behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.

Pamela Sue Martin (Fallon Carrington Colby #1): Screenwriting and Production

Pamela Sue Martin, the original and arguably most beloved Fallon, chose to leave the series after only four seasons, a move that shocked fans. Since then, she has redefined her career on her own terms, moving away from the mainstream Hollywood machine. Her latest focus has been on creative work behind the camera, including co-writing the original screenplay and serving as an associate producer for the project *Torchlight*. Martin's decision to exit the show at the height of its fame is a fascinating piece of *Dynasty* trivia, cementing her unique place in the show’s history.

Topical Authority: Behind-the-Scenes Secrets of the 1981 Series

The drama of *Dynasty* was not limited to the screen, with several famous behind-the-scenes facts adding to its legend and topical authority:

• The Salary Gap: For years, John Forsythe (Blake) was the only cast member with a contract that guaranteed he would appear in every episode. More controversially, it was revealed that he was paid substantially more than his female co-stars, including Linda Evans, which was a source of tension and a major talking point in the show's history.
• The Lily Pond Catfight: The show’s most famous scene, the catfight between Alexis and Krystle, was filmed in a shallow, algae-filled lily pond, not a deep lake, requiring careful staging to maintain the illusion of high-stakes drama.
• The Moldavian Massacre: The Season 5 cliffhanger, where most of the main cast was gunned down at a royal wedding in Moldavia, was a desperate attempt to boost ratings. The show’s producers ensured that no major stars were actually killed off, a classic soap opera maneuver.
• The Colbys Spin-off: The show was so popular it spawned a short-lived spin-off, *The Colbys*, which followed Jeff and Fallon to Los Angeles, further expanding the Carrington universe.

The original *Dynasty* remains a masterclass in escapism and high-octane drama. As the cast members continue to embrace new projects in 2025, their individual legacies—from Joan Collins's enduring glamour to Linda Evans’s teased return—prove that the Carrington dynasty, in spirit, is still very much alive.