Surprising Facts and Stories from the Set of Dynasty

Originally, Alexis Carrington was meant to be a quieter, passive-aggressive villain—more subtle whispers than dramatic takedowns. But once Joan Collins stepped into the role, she pushed for something bolder. She suggested Alexis be written as a glamorous female version of Dallas titan J.R. Ewing.

ABC loved the idea, especially since Dynasty was competing directly with Dallas in the ratings. The shift transformed Alexis into the sharp-tongued, power-playing queen of prime time. Collins’ instincts didn’t just reshape the character—they helped reshape the entire show’s success.