Network: ABC
Episodes: 1,225 (half-hour)
Seasons: Five

TV show dates: June 27, 1966 — April 2, 1971
Series status: Cancelled/ended

Performers include: Jonathan Frid, Grayson Hall, Nancy Barrett, Joan Bennett, Alexandra Isles, Louis Edmonds, Kathryn Leigh Scott, David Selby, David Henesy, Lara Parker, and Thayer David.

TV show description:
Victoria Winters (Alexandra Moltke) arrives at Collinwood — the Collins family estate in Collinsport, Maine — to work as a governess for young and darkly mischievous David Collins (David Henesy).

She soon finds herself caught up in the family’s mysteries and strange events. Matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (Joan Bennett) hasn’t left the estate since her husband disappeared 18 years ago. Elizabeth’s spoiled daughter Carolyn (Nancy Barrett) stays out all night and son Roger (David’s father) believes someone is trying to kill him.

Events take a major twist when vampire Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) is released from his chained coffin after nearly 200 years. He arrives at the estate claiming to be a distant relative from England and moves into the Old House on the property. By day, Barnabas is protected by his manservant Willie Loomis (John Karlen).

By night, he wreaks havoc on the town and ladies like Victoria, Carolyn, and waitress Maggie Evans (Kathryn Leigh Scott) all fall victim to his charms. Dr. Julia Hoffman (Grayson Hall) discovers his curse and attempts to cure him but falls in love with Barnabas as well.

Time travel is later introduced into the soap opera as are werewolves, witches, zombies, and many other supernatural plot devices.