What will happen on Season Two of Dallas on TNT?
Things just won’t be the same without J.R.
The second season premiere of Dallas on TNT is just around the corner and I’m very excited to be back in the saddle — so to speak — blogging about the show. The debut season last summer laid the foundation for the real fun set to take place now that the stories have gained momentum. The death of Larry Hagman will no doubt provide a pivotal turn in the saga of the Ewings. Larry completed five episodes before passing, so we fans will have one last chance to savor watching the master practice his craft. The writers’ handling of J.R.’s death will set a new course for the show, particularly with regard to John Ross. Losing his father may be the final push that completes his transformation into an antihero worthy of J.R.’s legacy. John Ross will have plenty of company when it comes to villainy according to press reports over the last few months. TV Guide columnist William Keck fed us a steady stream of casting news, including guest appearances by Dallas stars from the past and introductions of new characters, both good and bad, to stir up the pot.
J.R.’s former significant others, mistress Mandy Winger and ex-wife Cally Harper, will appear at his funeral, which reportedly will air March 11.
Deborah Shelton as Mandy Winger
Cathy Podewell as Cally Harper
This should be epic, considering that Mandy, played by Deborah Shelton, was the only one of J.R.’s many playthings who had a serious chance at taking him away from Sue Ellen. Cally (Cathy Podewell), meanwhile, gave birth to J.R.’s child. I don’t recall whether the child’s gender was ever revealed so I’m sure her visit to Southfork to bid J.R. adieu may pack a whallop for Sue Ellen and John Ross. Let’s not forget that J.R.’s first born is actually James Richard Beaumont, the result of his pre-Sue Ellen fling with British beauty Vanessa Beaumont (Gayle Hunnicutt). Something tells me Christopher is not the only relative John Ross needs to worry about in his quest to gain total control over Ewing Energies.
Charlene Tilton as Lucy Ewing
Lucy Ewing (Charlene Tilton) will be reunited with her Knots Landing parents Gary (Ted Shackelford) and Valene (Joan Van Ark).
Charlene told TV Guide she hadn’t shared a scene with Joan since Lucy’s marriage to Mitch Cooper in 1981, so this should be fun to watch. Let’s hope their interaction is meaningful. Gary and Valene were already set to appear before Larry Hagman’s death, so expect a storyline for Gary related to the ongoing drilling rights struggle.
Julie Gonzalo as Pamela Rebecca Cooper
Rebecca will emerge as a villainess.
After her meek turn as the victimized newcomer with a secret last season, the newly revealed daughter of Ewing archenemy Cliff Barnes will have a confident new attitude as she continues to help her father gain revenge on the Ewings for their perceived destruction of her aunt Pamela’s life. Episode summaries found online even refer to her by her real name Pamela Rebecca Barnes. I knew Julie Gonzalo reminded me of Victoria Principal for a good reason.
Audrey Landers
Audrey Landers will appear as Afton Cooper, Pamela Rebecca’s mother.
Audrey, whom I interviewed in August, didn’t make a secret of her desire to reunite with her Dallas co-stars from the ’80s and Afton fans have been clamoring for her return on Facebook. The question remains how long her stay will last and whether Afton will be displeased by her daughter’s cooperation with Cliff in his plot against the Ewings. Will she try to talk sense into Pamela Rebecca or will she join the Barnes revenge bandwagon?
Mitch Pileggi as Harris Ryland
Mitch Pileggi returns as a series regular.Pileggi’s bravura turn as Ann’s bitter ex-husband Harris Ryland earned him a regular gig on the show and I predict he will take over top villain duties in the absence of Larry Hagman. He has the gravitas necessary to stand up to Patrick Duffy’s Bobby Ewing and I’m sure he’s itching to avenge the humiliating slap he received at Bobby’s hands last season.
Emma Bell joins the cast as Ann and Harris’ daughter. The pretty blonde actress, known for roles in AMC’s zombie series The Walking Dead and Final Destination 5, will play Emma, a sheltered young woman and I suspect Harris has kept her from Ann for most of her life. I’m sure she’ll get involved with one of the many young hunks populating Southfork this season.
Judith Light as Harris Ryland’s mother.
The Ryland clan will be fleshed out when Judith Light guest stars as Harris Ryland’s evil mother. Based on scenes leaked to TV Guide, I think mother Ryland has been raising Emma and probably turned the poor girl against her mother. Judith, an acclaimed stage actress known for her roles on Who’s the Boss and Ugly Betty, will surely tear into the juicy role with gusto.
Kuno Becker as Drew Ramos
Kuno Becker joins the cast as Elena’s brother Andres Ramos. Becker, a well-known actor in films and TV series in Mexico, will give Elena plenty to worry about in the new season as he settles into her old house on the ranch and stews over drilling rights to their late father’s land. The sexy actor, whose character goes by Drew, seems most likely to get romantically entangled with Ann’s daughter Emma in a case of opposites attract.
An enemy from the Ewings’ past resurfaces on February 18. I suspect the character’s appearance will have big consequences for the Ewings.
Stay tuned!
Do you think Prescilla Presley will return?
Hi bp,
I’ve noticed that Ray hasn’t gotten much play during his appearances and I think Priscilla’s return would depend on how her role as Jenna would move along the current storylines. The fact that she bore Bobby’s natural son Lucas presents an opportunity to bring her back if Lucas shows up to claim his biological right to the Ewing fortune and challenges Christopher’s place in Bobby’s lineage. It would be juicy, but I think the producers have their plates full with the upcoming fallout from J.R.’s death. Maybe next season.