Surprising Stories from the Set of Knots Landing

After Don Murray left Knots Landing, the producers made a deliberate choice: Karen MacKenzie would stay single for a full year. Michele Lee agreed, letting the character breathe and evolve on her own instead of rushing into another relationship.

That pause paid off. The following year, Kevin Dobson was cast as Mack MacKenzie, Karen’s eventual second husband. The pairing became one of the show’s most beloved and stable relationships. Dobson stayed with Knots Landing until the series was cancelled, anchoring the cul-de-sac with a rare, lasting marriage.