The Werewolves of Dark Shadows

Back in the 60s there was Dark Shadows, a hugely popular show that followed a family of vampires. Dark Shadows was a gothic soap opera that featured plots lines involving not only vampires, but werewolves, ghosts, zombies, witches, warlocks, time travel (both into the past and into the future), and a parallel universe. Dark Shadows was known for its melodramatic performances, distinctive interiors, unforgettable story lines and an unusually vibrant music score. Even thought the show ended in 1971, it continues to have a large following of devoted fans. So large in fact, that it’s getting a remake starring Johnny Depp.

Unfortunately Depp is playing the lead vampire, Barnabas Collins, not a werewolf. But either way, we’re here to give the werewolves of Dark Shadows some much needed love!

The werewolves in the show look like a mixture of wolf and human, just like most werewolves. In their wolf form they are incredibly dangerous, luckily, they are only werewolves for the three nights the full moon in in the sky. The rest of the month they are ordinary humans. As werewolves they do not remember what happens while in their bestial state. They do remember, however, the beginning of their transformation.

There were a few ways one could be turned in the show; they became a werewolf due to a witch’s curse, they were bitten by a were, or they became a werewolf because it runs in their family. For example, Quentin Collins and all his first-born male descendants of each generation were cursed to become werewolves, while Chris Jennings was bitten by a werewolf.

The werewolves can only be killed in their beastly form by silver weapons such as silver bullets or a silver-headed cane. But, if killed in human form, the werewolf will become the animal and stay that way permanently.

– Moonlight

By moonlight

One of the writers for werewolves.com, as well as vampires.com.

4 comments

  1. Wasn’t sure if anyone had mentioned this or not, but has anyone noticed that when Quentin transformed into a werewolf, he also lost some of his height?? I always thought that was so hilarious. I still love Dark Shadows, though. Just another reason to love it!! LOL

    1. I look at it as while in animal form they all skink bend over because of their spines aren’t straight ! Then again I had a vivid imagination when I was 13 56 years ago when I watched the original Dark Shadows!

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