Terror at Collinwood: A Dark Shadows Podcast

Artist Mark Maddox and musician & horror host John Dobrydnio watched Dark Shadows as kids when it originally aired. In recent years, they rewatched the entire series from start to finish. They visit the podcast for a fun discussion about their childhood memories as compared to their experiences watching DS as adults. Additional topics include Halloween plans, the genius of Bela Lugosi’s Dracula, the Dark Shadows 60th anniversary Festival, The Monkees 60th anniversary convention, Johnny D’s thoughts about putting together and playing the surf rock version of the DS theme for Terror at Collinwood, and much more!

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Light your Jack-o’-lantern, eat some Halloween candy, and tune in for a spirited conversation featuring filmmaker and writer Ansel Faraj (Loon Lake, The Great Nick D, Theatre Fantastique), podcast host, actor, professor, and theatre director Erin Haas (Hallowed Groundling, Hallowed Haunts), screenwriter, playwright, and producer John Logan (Michael, Penny Dreadful, Red), and writer, artist, archivist, and magazine editor Diana Robertson (Ghastly Phantasms, We Belong Dead). Discussion topics include: Favorite horror movies, Dark Shadows and escapism, Queer coding and subtext in DS and horror films, Favorite DS characters and how that has changed over time, Adam vs. Frankenstein’s crea...

Montague Summers collected nightmarish legends from around the world that have become movie and fiction fodder--vampires, the werewolf, and witchcraft. Novelist and lawyer John F. Wirenius visits the podcast to discuss his new biography of the clergyman and curator of the macabre. The book includes a chapter on Dark Shadows, (super)naturally. Along the way, John talks about his fandom for Dark Shadows and touches upon Summers' influence on Gothic cinema and television.

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Film and television editor Robert Hoffman visits the podcast to talk about The Creepy-Bopper, a nostalgic Super 8mm short film about a boy in 1970 who runs home from school every day to watch Dark Shadows — until bad grades threaten to take his favorite show away from him. In addition, Robert shares his memories of attending many Dark Shadows Festivals and ShadowCons. Other topics include teen magazines, visiting the old DS studio, attending the Paley Center DS Reunion event, and more! Note: Robert provided many photos and a couple of videos which can be seen in the Youtube version of this e...

Many fans are interviewed at the 60th anniversary Dark Shadows celebration. Enjoy listening to attendees discuss their favorite aspects of the last large-scale DS Festival, recorded on location at the event itself!

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Lyndhurst Halloween DS event tickets here

Theatre Fantastique on BluRay preorder here

 Dominique’s University of the Bizarre site (Count Petofi...

The Collins Family Album from Chinbeard Books is a large reference tome filled with entries for every member of the Collins family, from every single iteration of Dark Shadows up to this point. The book’s writer, Rich Handley, and its artist and proofreader, Aleah Shockley, visit the podcast to discuss this astoundingly detailed and informative new book!

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In this short addendum episode, additional possible sources for Dark Shadows storylines and concepts, as submitted by listeners, are addressed. This brief overview includes a key literary source that was not touched upon in prior installments of this series.

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Dark Shadows 60th Anniversary Celebration Jul. 31-Aug. 2, 2026 – INFO

Daytime Gothic volume 2 pre-order HERE

Hollinswort...

The episode kicks off with big news about the Dark Shadows animated Gothic drama series in development from Warner Brothers Animation, newly-discovered DS studio footage from the BBC, plus announcements about the Dark Shadows Legacy pre-order and the new Big Finish audio drama pre-order, plus an announcement about The Collins Family Album from Chinbeard Books. The episode itself features returning guest Patrick McCray, who discusses his new Dark Shadows Daybook Triumphant, which is the third installment in the DS Daybooks series. We also chat about his great new line of Dark Shadows character busts!  

Terror at Collinwood and Shillin...

The episode kicks off with big news about the Dark Shadows animated Gothic drama series in development from Warner Brothers Animation, newly-discovered DS studio footage from the BBC, plus announcements about the Dark Shadows Legacy pre-order and the new Big Finish audio drama pre-order, plus an announcement about The Collins Family Album from Chinbeard Books. The episode itself features returning guest Patrick McCray, who discusses his new Dark Shadows Daybook Triumphant, which is the third installment in the DS Daybooks series. We also chat about his great new line of Dark Shadows character busts!  

Terror at Collinw...

In the final installment of “The Shadows Behind the Shadows” series, which examines the literary, cinematic, theatrical, and other inspirations for Dark Shadows storylines, I look at the final story arcs of the series – 1995, the Summer of 1970 (aka the Ghosts of Daphne and Gerard), 1840, and 1841 Parallel Time. Influences on Night of Dark Shadows are also touched upon. The end of the episode features messages and posts from a variety of listeners who shed light on additional sources.  

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Actress, writer, and Dark Shadows star Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie Evans, Josette) and screenwriter and playwright John Logan (Michael, Penny Dreadful, Red) return to the podcast to discuss the upcoming Dark Shadows Legacy book. This new hardcover volume is packed with essays about many different aspects of the Dark Shadows phenomenon by cast members representing every version of DS, as well as essays by a variety of fans and creators. In addition, Dark Shadows Legacy showcases rare photos, artwork, and more. As a special treat for fans, the video version of this episode features a first look at the stunning b...

Welcome to part three of Terror at Collinwood’s “The Shadows Behind the Shadows” series. This episode examines the cinematic, literary, theatrical, mythological, and other influences on the following Dark Shadows story arcs: the 1897 storyline, the Leviathans, and 1970 Parallel Time. In addition, the “housekeeping” segment features additional insights and information from past Terror at Collinwood guests, Dominique Lamssies and Stephen R. Shutt. 

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Join Penny Dreadful for part two of Terror at Collinwood’s “The Shadows Behind the Shadows”, an overview that examines the cinematic, literary, theatrical, and other influences on the following Dark Shadows story arcs: the 1795 storyline, the Creation of Adam & Eve and the Dream Curse, Return to 1796, the Werewolf and the Ghost of Quentin Collins.

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Dark Shadows 60t...

This episode features part one of an overview that looks at the literary, cinematic, and other influences on the following Dark Shadows story arcs: Victoria Winters’ Arrival, Burke Devlin’s Revenge, Laura the Phoenix, the Blackmailing of Elizabeth, and the Introduction of Barnabas Collins. 

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Dark Shadows 60th Anniversary Celebration Jul. 31-Aug. 2, 2026 – INFO

UCLA Library Film and T...

Scenic Designer Sy Tomashoff was instrumental in creating the look for Dark Shadows. From the Collinwood Foyer and Drawing Room, to the Old House, to the Collins Mausoleum, and the Blue Whale, Sy’s iconic sets and innovative designs were integral to establishing and perpetuating the feel and mood of the series. For the first time, Sy’s career, with a special focus on Dark Shadows, is spotlighted in the upcoming book, Sy Tomashoff: Dark Shadows by Design by Patty Karapinar. Patty, a respected and skilled architect, offers unique insights into Sy Tomashoff’s work in a meticulously researched book that...

Although Dark Shadows was a supernatural Gothic drama, there were several characters who displayed humorous traits throughout the series. From the outrageous Carl Collins and Pansy Faye to the eccentric Eagle Hill Cemetery caretaker and the put-upon Mrs. Johnson, this episode takes a look at the lighter side of Dark Shadows. Returning to the podcast to discuss these amusing character moments is entertainer and groovy Austin Powers tribute artist, Richard Halpern. In addition to our main discussion, we talk about Richard’s experiences as emcee at the Dark Shadows Festivals, Baby Dark Shadows, the Collinsport Players, his recent Austin Po...

Jean Graham, née Peacock, was one of the founders of ShadowCon, the original Dark Shadows convention which started in 1977, predating the Dark Shadows Festivals by several years. With the last Dark Shadows convention on the horizon, Jean visits the podcast to talk about her memories of the very first one. She also discusses the challenges of early DS syndication days in the 70s, her DS fanfic and how that led to pro fiction publishing, her DS music arrangements and piano playing, and her fandom for The Man from U.N.C.L.E and Star Trek. Other topics i...

Guy Haines returns to the podcast! We discuss and share our hopes for the Dark Shadows 60th anniversary event in Los Angeles, happening July 31st-August 2nd, 2026. In addition, we run down the merchandise that has been announced for 2026 thus far and talk about some things we’d like to see. The Monsterama convention in Atlanta (Aug. 7-9) also gets a shoutout. We also go over the recent sale of Seaview Terrace (Collinwood from the original TV series) to artist Hunt Slonem. In addition, Guy shares his memories of attending the 1988 Dark Shadows Off-Broadway play in New York. Won’t you...

Danny Horn of the Dark Shadows Every Day blog and author Laramie Dean of the Shadows on the Wall online fanzine return to Terror at Collinwood to discuss the elements and characters that make 1897 such a popular and compelling DS storyline. Other topics include: A character analysis chat about Barnabas Collins, why Quentin Collins is so enjoyable, the 1897 Collins siblings, Laramie’s thoughts on the new Curse of Dark Shadows graphic novel, and information about Danny’s Fantastic Miss Piggy Podcast and Laramie’s new book, Haunt Me, Then. The episode concludes with some talk about whether we need a new...

This yuletide episode kicks off with information about the 60th Anniversary Dark Shadows Event in Los Angeles, happening July 31-Agust 2, 2026. After that, you’re invited to participate in the anonymous Terror at Collinwood questionnaire to help shape future episodes of the podcast. The second half of the show features a trip down memory lane as Penny D revisits family memories and talks about her fondness for WCVX-TV58, a commercial channel out of Cape Cod Massachusetts that aired DS in the 1980s.

Terror at Collinwood anonymous questionnaire LINK

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Writer and producer Joseph Lidster visits the podcast for a fun chat about Dark Shadows and his experiences as writer and co-producer on the Big Finish range of Dark Shadows audio dramas! In addition to taking up the DS producing reins at Big Finish, Joe wrote dramatic readings and audio plays such as London's Burning, The Fall of the House of Trask, and Snowflake, and co-wrote The Crimson Pearl and the full-cast serial Bloodlust. If you love the Big Finish DS audio dramas, you won’t want to miss this one!

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Bob Issel and Mark Rainey return to the podcast to discuss Our Shadowed Past Volume Three, the latest installment in the book series. This edition of the book features more fan memories, artwork, stories, loads of photos, as well as interviews with cast members such as Donna McKechnie, who played Amanda Harris in the original DS, and Joanna Going, who played Victoria Winters and Josette in the 1991 DS revival series. Join us for a peek at this gorgeous new volume.

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2025 marks the 55th anniversary of the 1970 feature film, House of Dark Shadows. To help celebrate the occasion, Ansel Faraj and Darren Gross return to Terror at Collinwood for a lively conversation about the movie. Topics include: First time seeing HoDS, the original screening date in 1970, international screenings, things we liked about the picture, fandom feelings about the movie, scenes that were cut from the film, the Curtis and Frid situation after the film’s release, speculation about what a sequel with Jonathan Frid might have been about, and more!    

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In a very special treat (or trick?) for the Halloween season, the evil mage Count Andreas Petofi visits the podcast to let us all know what he’s been up to. Other topics include: the Hand, Aristede's whereabouts, selling ice cream to Christopher Lee, and much more. Special thanks to Count Petofi’s agent, Dr. Manfred Von Bulow, for helping to arrange this rare interview!

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From March 1971 to March 1972, the Newspaper Enterprise Association syndicated the Dark Shadows daily newspaper comic strip. The strip featured six different stories and was beautifully illustrated by artist Kenneth Bruce Bald. While the comic strip’s writer remains unknown, its story editor was Elliot Caplin. Returning to the podcast to discuss the DS newspaper comic strip are authors and fans Rich Handley and Dr. Jeff Thompson. Join us for a fun dive into this unique and fascinating Dark Shadows story world.

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Nancy Barrett appeared in every single Dark Shadows storyline and in both feature films. A versatile actress with a knack for creating layered, quirky, and fascinating characters, Nancy remained an essential part of DS from beginning to end. Visiting the podcast to discuss each of the wonderful Ms. Barrett’s DS characters are longtime Dark Shadows fans, Joe Flanagan and Beth Caster. And be sure to check out Joe’s page, the Many Faces of Nancy Barrett, on Facebook! NOTE: Sincere apologies for the audio issues in this episode.

Download or listen to the AUDIO version below.

Scott Young is a producer, writer, director and Dark Shadows fan who attempted to pitch a Dark Shadows TV reunion movie in the 1980s. Despite support from several of the original series’ writers and cast members, the Return to Collinwood pitch was not greenlit. In 2014/2015, Scott dusted off the pitch, reenvisioned it as a series, and retitled the project, Darker Shadows. However, this attempt was also unsuccessful. Scott visits the podcast to offer some insights into his proposals for a new DS. In addition, Scott discusses his involvement with the DS fandom going all the way back to his days volu...

Curse of Dark Shadows writer and comics creator Craig Hurd-McKenney returns to the podcast to discuss the Kickstarter for the special edition hardback of the new DS graphic novel from Hermes Press. Craig offers some information and clarification regarding the Kickstarter and drops some teases about the book as well as its potential sequels. In addition, he provides details on the Hermes Press Dark Shadows panel and signings at San Diego Comic Con 2025!

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Is Dark Shadows Fading and What Does the Future Hold? with Patrick McCray – As Dark Shadows Daybook author Patrick McCray astutely observes, “Dark Shadows is the “Star Trek” of horror”… but is it fading from popular culture? Patrick is the good cop and Penny is the bad cop in this episode where several questions are raised… Why aren’t there more licensees? How can new fans access the show? References, and why aren’t there more? What can fans do to boost the signal? Is it actually best for DS to stay in the shadows? Has the fandom become too contented? Wha...

What better way to celebrate the 59th anniversary of Dark Shadows than with a spirited discussion about the mistress of Collinwood, Elizabeth Collins Stoddard as portrayed by Hollywood legend, Joan Bennett?! Returning to the podcast for this deep-dive character analysis are two of Elizabeth’s biggest fans – Nina Ogle and Tina Marie DeLucia! Topics include: Liz’s character traits, role in the story, relationships with family members and other characters in the show, the Victoria question, House of Dark Shadows, side-trips into Joan Bennett films, and much more!

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Edward Gross is a writer and veteran entertainment journalist who has written books and articles on film, television, and comic books since the mid-1980s. There was a dearth of new “mainstream” Dark Shadows material available in the 80s, but Ed came to the rescue with the Dark Shadows Files magazine series. He visits the podcast to discuss his lifelong fandom for DS and these memorable Files publications, which included his interviews with many DS cast and crew members such as Jonathan Frid, Grayson & Sam Hall, Art Wallace, Ron Sproat and more. In addition, we take a fun side-trip into...

What do Dark Shadows and Masters of the Universe have in common? Perhaps, more than one might think! Penny Dreadful is joined by her friends Ted Biaselli, Director of Original Series at Netflix and Executive Producer on Masters of the Universe Revelation and Revolution, and Jon Kallis, host of Masters Cast - the longest-running He-Man and She-Ra podcast in the universe - to discuss some interesting parallels! In addition to DS, He-Man, and She-Ra, many other pop culture topics and IPs are explored and addressed. These include: fandom, revivals, The Charmings, The Green Hornet, Iron Man, Archie, Riverdale, Sabrina...

A talented actor, comics creator, and beloved Dark Shadows cast member with an electrifying presence and personality, Christopher Pennock was taken far too soon when he left this plane of existence in 2021. As part of his extensive body of work in theatre, television, and film, Chris appeared in several projects helmed by filmmaker Ansel Faraj. These include Theatre Fantastique, Doctor Mabuse: Etiopomar, The Most Haunted House of Venice Beach, and The Job Interview. Ansel returns to the podcast and is joined by actors Elyse Ashton, Douglas Eames, Kelsey Hewlett, and Kelly Kitko as they reminisce and share memories of worki...

In this episode, Penny is joined by Emmy Award-winning comedian, actor, writer, and voice artist Dana Gould (Stan Against Evil, Hanging with Doctor Z, The Simpsons) and television writer, comedian, and associate programming manager Kandice Martellaro (Stan Against Evil, Hanging with Doctor Z, Don’t Bring It In)! Join us for a fun chat that, of course, features extensive discussion about Dark Shadows, but also includes topics such as: Kolchak, Stan Against Eviland what the next season would’ve been like, Simon’s Sanctorum, Feep, Twin Peaks, Club Babyhead, Creature Double Feature, King Kong vs. Godzilla, Doctor Who, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, ...

Award-winning screenwriter and playwright John Logan (Gladiator, Sweeney Todd, Penny Dreadful, Hugo, Skyfall, Red) returns to the podcast! In this episode, we take on the challenging task of choosing our TOP FIVE Dark Shadows storylines! Join us as we discuss our personal picks for the DS cream of the crop.

TERROR AT COLLINWOOD has been nominated for BEST PODCAST in the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards! You can vote in as many or as few categories as you like. To vote, send an email to [email protected]

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A somewhat salty, and possibly insane, Penny Dreadful addresses another batch of DS continuity, plot, character, and canon questions in this episode, inspired by Dale Clark’s wonderful Dark Shadows Books of Questions and Answers which were published between 1989 and 1995. In this installment, the following questions are addressed: Would Julia’s treatments have permanently cured Barnabas? When Barnabas is in his coffin during the day, is he sleeping and can he be awakened? How does Laura Collins “work”? Was Barnabas destroyed at the end of House of Dark Shadows? Where were Gerard’s pirates in 1840? Stagehands in the shot? Mic shadows...

The ghosts that haunt the Collinwood estate represent the most numerous and diverse group of supernatural beings in Dark Shadows. Some spirits are helpful, offering spectral warnings in attempts to assist the living. Others are malevolent, bent on revenge… or worse. Many are tragic figures, doomed to wander the halls of Collinwood or the Old House for all eternity. Bobby Lugosi and Katherine Gonzales visit the podcast to discuss some of our favorite DS ghosts and revenants! Other discussion topics include Night of Dark Shadows, DS collectibles, and real-life ghostly encounters. Bobby Lugosi is a Rondo Award-winning monster kid infl...

TJ Lubinsky is a television, radio, and digital media host, and a director/producer known for his PBS pledge drive and music programs. He also happens to be the mysterious Dark Shadows fan who built his own replica of COLLINWOOD in Pennsylvania! TJ visits the show to tell the tale of how he undertook this epic project. Along the way, he discusses his origins as a Dark Shadows and Doctor Who fan, tells us how, as a 15-year-old, he met and interviewed Jonathan Frid, talks about his longtime friendship with Jim Pierson, reveals his crush on Dr. Julia Hoffman, and mu...

Penny invites some old friends - Erin Haas, Rachel Freitas, Jed O’Berry, and Adam P. Cray - onto the podcast to explore the topic of “What Makes a Cult Television Show?” in this spirited New Year’s episode! We discuss various topics, including: What are the characteristics of a cult show? Should there be a new Dark Shadows if the tone is changed? Should a new DS be a remake or a continuation? If a show or movie goes fully mainstream, is it still considered a cult show or cult film? A Dan Curtis Shared Universe? While the focus is...

David Henesy visits the podcast in this special yuletide episode of Terror at Collinwood! Celebrated and beloved by Dark Shadows fans for his portrayals of David Collins, Daniel Collins, Jamison Collins, Parallel Time Daniel Collins, and Tad Collins, David Henesy is the CEO of Panama Botanicals and the owner of La Factoria imported specialty foods, where sustainability is key! In the first half of the episode, David talks about the ethos behind his successful, and environmentally conscious, endeavors in the restaurant and food production businesses. Along the way, he elaborates on his origins in the restaurant business. In the secon...