The gothic world of Collinsport is returning to television. Warner Bros. Animation is officially developing a new Dark Shadows project, reimagining the classic supernatural soap opera as an adult animated series.
While specific plot details remain under wraps, the studio confirmed that the upcoming show will continue the long-running saga of the Collins family. The official logline promises to blend the gothic, horror, and supernatural elements that defined the original series, which aired over 1,200 episodes between 1967 and 1971. Fans can expect the same dark twists and romantic intrigue that made the original run a cult phenomenon.
Lisa Holdsworth, known for her work on A Discovery of Witches and Call the Midwife, has been tapped to serve as showrunner and executive producer. She will be joined by executive producers Cathy Curtis, Tracy Curtis, Eric Homan, Kevin Kolde, and Fred Seibert. The project is currently in development, though Warner Bros. Animation has not yet announced a release window or a streaming home for the series.
A New Chapter for a Gothic Classic
The franchise has seen several iterations over the decades, including two feature films and a 1991 revival. Most recently, the property was adapted into a 2012 feature film directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp. While previous attempts to revive the series for live-action television have stalled in development, this shift to animation offers a unique opportunity to lean into the more fantastical elements of the source material without the constraints of a traditional soap opera budget.
For long-time fans, the move to an adult animated format suggests a desire to capture the darker, more mature tone of the original gothic storytelling. It remains to be seen how the animation style will interpret the iconic look of the Collins family estate and the legendary vampire Barnabas Collins.
Source: JoBlo
