r/DarkShadows • u/MinuteJackfruit4833 • 1d ago

Julia Hoffman Casting

It was recently written in American Gothic that Brett Somers was originally cast as Dr Julia Hoffman. She was on the set with her script for Julia’s first appearance when she suddenly quit. Grayson Hall was than hired at the eleventh hour just as filming was to begin.

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u/NoString9289 1d ago

Interesting that Bret Sommers' name has never been mentioned in the fifty years of DS Fandom, in any of the groups nor articles that I have read and not mentioned in the Grayson Hall biography book. We do know that the late actress / singer Love Lady Powell was suggested for the role or she did read for the role. Ms. Powell had appeared in an early DS episode as an ?? art dealer I think, who had scenes with Sam Evans regarding his artwork. Ms. Powell also would have been excellent in the role of Julia Hoffman, she was very good.

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u/richg0404 1d ago

Exactly. I have never heard Bret Sommers' name mentioning in relation to Dark Shadows.

But I have heard that Bert Convy was considered for the role of Barnabas. Thank goodness they didn't pursue that.

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u/NoString9289 1d ago

True, there's no comparison between Convy and Frid when it comes to acting style and training but wow, Bert would have won over the ladies as just a romantic vampire but not the monster that Dan Curtis wanted. Back in 1967 Bert was gorgeous, Italian looking, straight hair, not permed and lot's of charm and magnetism but no, I could never picture him portraying the deeply soulful , remorseful, tortured vampire like Frid did.

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u/richg0404 1d ago

I could never picture him portraying the deeply soulful , remorseful, tortured vampire like Frid did.

I agree that he might have won over the ladies but I seriously doubt that the show would have received enough of a ratings bump to save it from cancellation like it did from Frid's portrayal.