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Emma Samms, at right, as Fallon Carrington Colby, in "Dynasty" with her co-star John James. Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081856/characters/nm0759924/ (May be subject to copyright) |
That is prevalent in daytime dramas such as “Day Of Our Lives”, where most long-standing characters have been played by multiple actors. That was rarely the case with night-time dramas such as “Dallas” or “Knot’s Landing”.
However, “Dynasty” had more than one character played by different actors. The first time was when Al Corley, who played Steven Carrington, left the show. He was replaced by Jack Coleman. This change in appearance was explained by the fact Steven survived an oil rig explosion and had to undergo plastic surgery.
The second time around, Fallon Carrington Colby, played by Pamela Sue Martin, disappeared, presumably never to be seen again. However, one day, her husband Jeff Colby, played by John James, saw a face in a picture that looked like Fallon.
He eventually tracked her down – but now she was played by Emma Samms.
Unlike Jack Coleman, who I had never seen before, I had seen Emma Samms before. It was in another soap opera and, although she looked as attractive as ever, she sounded much different.
Emma Samms came across my newsfeed a couple days ago, and it reminded me of that soap opera switcheroo and much more.
Starting out
Emma Samms was born in London, England in 1960. Her first credited role was in the 1979 movie “Arabian Adventure” where she plays a princess.
Emma Samms was born in London, England in 1960. Her first credited role was in the 1979 movie “Arabian Adventure” where she plays a princess.
In 1980, she appeared in the TV movie “More Wild Wild West”, a reunion of the 1960s western spy show with Robert Conrad and Ross Martin reprising their roles. The following year, 1981, she was in the miniseries “Goliath Awaits” where scientists discover an underwater community surviving in the wreck of an ocean liner that sank during the Second World War.
Her world would change completely in 1982, when she landed a role she plays on and off to this day.
Smitten with Scorpio – and Spencer
“General Hospital” was the hottest daytime drama in the first half of the ‘80s. It was fuelled by intriguing story lines that involved more than romance, cheating, and scheming. It delved into espionage, international intrigue and more. At the centre of the action was the power couple of Luke and Laura Spencer, played by Anthony Geary and Genie Francis.
“General Hospital” was the hottest daytime drama in the first half of the ‘80s. It was fuelled by intriguing story lines that involved more than romance, cheating, and scheming. It delved into espionage, international intrigue and more. At the centre of the action was the power couple of Luke and Laura Spencer, played by Anthony Geary and Genie Francis.
Luke became best friends with Robert Scorpio. He was an agent with the World Security Bureau then police commissioner of Port Charles, the community in which “General Hospital” is set. Scorpio, played by Tristan Rogers to this day on and off since 1980, is Australian, and very charismatic on screen.
Samms played Holly Sutton, who originally got involved with Luke Spencer when he and Laura were no longer together. After various twists and turns, she became involved with and married Robert Scorpio. The three became embroiled in a love triangle, but she eventually chose Robert and Luke reunited with Laura.
Eventually, Robert and Holly decide to move to Australia in 1985. Sadly, Holly is in an airplane crash and believed dead.
In reality, Samms was leaving “General Hospital” because she landed another role in a soap opera.
This one took her into primetime and millions of living rooms across the continent.
Two shows for the price of one
Emma Samms was cast to play Fallon Colby, a character returning to “Dynasty”. She appeared in eight episodes of the sixth season of “Dynasty”, then was spun off into her own series “The Colbys”. She continued as a guest star on “Dynasty” appearing in one episode at the end of the sixth season and two episodes of the seventh season.
Emma Samms was cast to play Fallon Colby, a character returning to “Dynasty”. She appeared in eight episodes of the sixth season of “Dynasty”, then was spun off into her own series “The Colbys”. She continued as a guest star on “Dynasty” appearing in one episode at the end of the sixth season and two episodes of the seventh season.
“The Colbys” lasted two seasons from 1985 to 1987 for a total of 49 episodes, before it was cancelled.
Samms returned to “Dynasty” as Falon Carrington Colby in the eighth season premiere of the show in September of 1987. She stayed on with the show through the eighth and ninth seasons, when it was cancelled.
She also returned in 1991 for the miniseries “Dynasty: The Reunion”.
Staying busy
One of the reasons Emma Samms landed the role of Falon Carrington Colby was by appearing in two episodes of “Hotel” in 1984 and 1985. There she met Aaron Spelling who was not only the creator of “Hotel” but “Dynasty” as well.
One of the reasons Emma Samms landed the role of Falon Carrington Colby was by appearing in two episodes of “Hotel” in 1984 and 1985. There she met Aaron Spelling who was not only the creator of “Hotel” but “Dynasty” as well.
Samms also appeared in the miniseries “Ellis Island”; the TV movies ”Murder in Three Acts”, “The Lady and the Highwayman”, and “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”; and episodes of “The New Mike Hammer”; “Throb”; “Newhart”; “Murder, She Wrote”; and “My Two Dads”.
The years after
Emma Samms kept on acting, appearing in several TV movies as well as episodes of “Get a Life”; “Diagnosis Murder”; “Dave’s World”; “Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman”; 12 episodes of “Models, Inc.”; “Tales from the Crypt”; 40 episodes of “Doctors”; and much more.
Emma Samms kept on acting, appearing in several TV movies as well as episodes of “Get a Life”; “Diagnosis Murder”; “Dave’s World”; “Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman”; 12 episodes of “Models, Inc.”; “Tales from the Crypt”; 40 episodes of “Doctors”; and much more.
She continues to act to this day, including as Holly Scorpio on “General Hospital”.
Parting thoughts
The first time I heard about Emma Samms was in an issue of “TV Guide”, when a story described the love triangle of her character Holly Scorpio with Robert Scorpio and Luke Spencer. Shortly after, I saw her on “General Hospital”, and could see the chemistry she had with both men.
The first time I heard about Emma Samms was in an issue of “TV Guide”, when a story described the love triangle of her character Holly Scorpio with Robert Scorpio and Luke Spencer. Shortly after, I saw her on “General Hospital”, and could see the chemistry she had with both men.
What amazes me about Emma Samms is how differently she was on “General Hospital” and “Dynasty”. She was definitely British married to Robert Scorpio, but once she moved to Denver and became part of the Carrington family, that British accent disappeared. Had I not seen her on “General Hospital”, I would not believe Falon Carrington Colby was played by the same actor who played the very British Holly Scorpio.
It was a more striking transformation than seeing Pamela Sue Martin play Falon one day, then seeing Emma Samms playing the same character the next.
It just speaks to how talented, and versatile, Emma Samms is.
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