COUPLE: Barnabas Collins & Josette duPres
SHOW: DARK SHADOWS
RANK: 45
PLAYED BY:
Barnabas: Jonathan Frid
Josette: Kathryn Leigh Scott, Mary Cooper
YEARS: 1967-1971
STORY:
In 1795, Josette traveled with her father, Andre DuPres, from Martinique to marry Barnabas Collins. Her aunt, Countess Natalie DuPres, and her maid, Angelique, arrived a few days prior. Angelique was actually a witch who had enjoyed a previous fling with Barnabas back in Martinique, and was very much in love with him. She planned to destroy the couple's romance and placed a spell on Josette, causing her to fall hopelessly in love with Jeremiah Collins. Josette eventually fell to her death at Widows' Hill in one of the most memorable scenes in the show's history.
IMPACT:
The impact of the original DARK SHADOWS series is well documented with its cult following, annual fan conventions and numerous reincarnations. No other soap had as many couple combinations considered as this one. Some fans loved the undeniable chemistry of Barnabas & Angelique, others loved the more cerebral relationship Barnabas had with Julia. But Barnabas & Josette were the most tragic couple of the series. The story has been revisited in audio dramas, comic books, primetime television and, this year, a big budget film starring Johnny Depp, with Bella Heathcote playing Josette/Victoria Winters.
CLASSIC CLIPS:
- Barnabas Fails To Resist Josette
- Josette falls off Widows' Hill
- Barnabas believes Maggie is the reincarnation of Josette
Share your thoughts on Barnabas and Josette in our Comments section below or on our message board.
RELATED:
- 50 Greatest Soap Opera Actors: The Complete List
- 50 Greatest Soap Opera Actresses: The Complete List
- THE COMPLETE LIST: 25 Biggest Blunders In Daytime Soap Opera History
Love them (and Lara as Angelique, too!). Great to see them on the list! P.S. It is great to see the Dark Shadows bits you are putting in the daily history section. Thank you for that!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cheryl. People are passionate about so many combinations from Dark Shadows. Re-watching some old clips the past few weeks really made it hit home why people were so passionate about the show. It also reminded me how much I love longer scenes on daytime soaps and letting the action play out versus the short, choppy scenes we tend to get now.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Roger. Besides ATWT, I would have to say that Dark Shadows is "my show"!
ReplyDeleteOh thank you for this amazing couple! Barnabas and Josette were such a tragic pairing. With the dynamic "Dark Shadows" had you never could remake this love story.
ReplyDeleteWhen submitting my choices I started typing "Barnabas & ..." But then couldn't decide "Josette or Angelique?" So didn't follow-thru.
ReplyDeleteShades of the "Mary Ann or Ginger" question here. ;-)
This brought back such memories! I love Dark Shadows and I love Barnabas & Josette.
ReplyDeleteWish I could find more fans of this pairing...
ReplyDeletehttp://xoiscythe.podomatic.com/