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The Carrington Millions: 15+ Dynasty Cast Members Then And Now—What’s Their Status In 2025?

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The opulent world of Dynasty, a TV saga synonymous with shoulder pads, catfights, and excessive wealth, has captivated audiences across two generations. The original 1980s soap opera set the gold standard for primetime drama, while the 2017 reboot brought the Carrington family's scandalous feuds to a new, modern audience. As of late December 2025, fans are clamoring for updates on the actors who embodied these iconic, larger-than-life characters.

From Dame Joan Collins's continued reign on the silver screen to the reboot's star, Elizabeth Gillies, taking on Broadway, the careers and lives of the Dynasty cast members—both old and new—have evolved dramatically since their days in the Denver and Atlanta mansions. This is a deep dive into where the stars of the Carrington and Colby dynasties are now, featuring their latest projects and personal milestones.

The Original Dynasty (1981–1989): Where Are the Icons of Glamour Now?

The original series, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro, became a cultural phenomenon, turning its core cast into international superstars. Their paths post-Dynasty have been as dramatic and varied as the show itself, with some still active in major projects in 2025.

  • Joan Collins (Alexis Colby)
    • Born: May 23, 1933, in London, England.
    • Role: Alexis Morell Carrington Colby Dexter Rowan, the ultimate villainess.
    • Current Status: Dame Joan Collins remains highly active in 2025. She was recently honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the WFTV Awards 2025, a testament to her enduring career. In a major update, she is currently filming her latest movie, the Agatha Christie-like mystery Murder Between Friends, in Prague. She is also a noted author and columnist.
  • Linda Evans (Krystle Carrington)
    • Born: November 18, 1942, in Hartford, Connecticut.
    • Role: Krystle Carrington, Blake's devoted, kind-hearted wife and Alexis's primary rival.
    • Current Status: Post-acting, Evans has embraced a quiet life, famously living off the grid in Washington State, where she chops her own wood. However, she remains connected to the industry, serving as a producer overseeing various aspects of production and as a member of the jury for the SOHO International Film Festival in 2025.
  • John Forsythe (Blake Carrington)
    • Born: January 29, 1918 (Died: April 1, 2010).
    • Role: Blake Carrington, the patriarch and oil tycoon.
    • Biography: Forsythe was the only actor to appear in every episode. He had a long and celebrated career, also known as the voice of Charlie in Charlie's Angels. He passed away in 2010 at the age of 92.
  • Heather Locklear (Sammy Jo Carrington)
    • Born: September 25, 1961, in Los Angeles, California.
    • Role: Samantha Josephine "Sammy Jo" Carrington, Krystle's niece and a recurring troublemaker.
    • Current Status: Locklear, a television icon also known for Melrose Place, made a return to TV movies with Don't Sweat the Small Stuff: The Kristine Carlson Story. She continues to make public appearances, including a panel at the Steel City Con in December 2024.
  • John James (Jeff Colby)
    • Born: April 18, 1956, in New York City, New York.
    • Role: Jeff Colby, Blake's nephew and Fallon's long-suffering husband.
    • Current Status: A Golden Globe nominee for his role, James remains highly regarded for his work on both Dynasty and the spin-off The Colbys. While his recent acting credits are sparse, he frequently guests on podcasts and in interviews, discussing his time on the iconic soap opera.
  • Pamela Sue Martin (Fallon Carrington Colby)
    • Born: January 5, 1953, in Westport, Connecticut.
    • Role: The original Fallon, Blake's rebellious eldest daughter.
    • Current Status: Martin famously left the show in 1984. As of 2024, she is focused on writing her memoir, a book chronicling her life and career, keeping her personal life largely private and out of the Hollywood limelight.

The Reboot Dynasty (2017–2022): Post-Carrington Career Moves

The CW's modern reboot, which concluded its six-season run in 2022, was a hit on Netflix and launched its main cast into a new phase of their careers. Many of them have already secured major roles in film, television, and on the stage.

Elizabeth Gillies and the Next Generation of Stars

The reboot’s success was largely driven by the fiery chemistry and fashion-forward portrayal of the Carrington family's next generation. Their post-2022 projects are proving to be some of the most exciting updates for fans.

  • Elizabeth Gillies (Fallon Carrington)
    • Born: July 26, 1993, in Haworth, New Jersey.
    • Role: Fallon Carrington, the ambitious and witty heiress.
    • Current Status: Gillies has successfully transitioned from the small screen to the stage. She is currently starring in the hit off-Broadway production of the musical Little Shop of Horrors, fulfilling a long-time dream and reuniting with her former *Victorious* co-star. She has also continued her music career, releasing the duet "What You've Done" with Ferry Townes.
  • Rafael de la Fuente (Sam Jones)
    • Born: November 11, 1986, in Caracas, Venezuela.
    • Role: Samuel Josiah "Sammy Jo" Jones, a gay, modernized version of the original Sammy Jo, and Cristal's nephew.
    • Current Status: Immediately post-Dynasty, de la Fuente landed a major recurring role. He has joined the cast of the popular CBS drama series Fire Country for Season 2, playing a new character named Diego, a charming and motivated firefighter. This marks a significant move to network primetime television.
  • Sam Adegoke (Jeff Colby)
    • Born: September 20, 1982, in Lagos, Nigeria.
    • Role: Jeff Colby, the tech billionaire and rival to the Carringtons.
    • Current Status: Adegoke is actively expanding his career with new projects. He is set to appear in the Peacock limited series as Emerson Dorsey. Additionally, he has a role in the film Dark Days & the Dawn, which was filming in 2023.
  • Grant Show (Blake Carrington)
    • Born: February 27, 1962, in Detroit, Michigan.
    • Role: Blake Carrington, the family patriarch.
    • Current Status: Show, already a television veteran from Melrose Place, is focusing on his life and family in 2025. He was recently on the red carpet at the 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards with his wife, actress Katherine LaNasa, who stars in the new show The Pitt. The couple also made news with the sale of their Del Rey property, managing their real estate portfolio post-series.
  • Nathalie Kelley & Ana Brenda Contreras (Cristal Carrington)
    • Nathalie Kelley (Cristal Flores Carrington, Season 1): Kelley, who left after the first season, has since starred in the film The Baker (2022) and the TV series The L Word: Generation Q.
    • Ana Brenda Contreras (Cristal Jennings, Season 2): Contreras, who replaced Kelley, returned to Spanish-language television, starring in the 2023 series El Conde: Amor y Honor.

The Enduring Legacy of Dynasty and Topical Authority

The influence of Dynasty stretches far beyond its original run, creating a topical authority that few shows can match. The core themes of wealth, power, and family conflict are timeless, which is why the "then and now" comparison remains so compelling. The show's enduring legacy is built on the shoulders of these actors and their memorable performances.

The original series, a product of the 1980s, defined the decade's fashion and excess. Entities like Alexis's power suits, the Denver-Carrington Oil Company, and the infamous Moldavian Massacre are still referenced in pop culture today. The reboot, while modernizing the narrative with themes of corporate espionage, social media influence, and LGBTQ+ representation through characters like Sam Jones, successfully paid homage to the original's spirit of high-stakes drama.

The current activities of the cast members—from Joan Collins's Lifetime Achievement Award to Elizabeth Gillies's Broadway debut—prove that their star power continues to shine brightly in 2025. The transition of actors like Rafael de la Fuente to major network dramas like Fire Country and Sam Adegoke to Peacock limited series highlights the continued demand for their talent post-Carrington. The Dynasty universe is a rich tapestry of talent, and its stars are clearly moving on to new, exciting, and highly visible projects.

cast of dynasty then and now
cast of dynasty then and now

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