Joan Collins Reveals the Comment Aaron Spelling Made While Filming “Dynasty” That ‘Haunted’ Her

Joan Collins, the iconic actress known for her role as the ambitious and ruthless Alexis Carrington Colby in the popular 1980s soap opera “Dynasty,” has reflected on the comments made by producer Aaron Spelling, which she admits have lingered in her thoughts. In a recent interview with British Vogue, the 92-year-old actress revisited Spelling’s assertion that resonated with her and continues to evoke mixed feelings.

Collins joined the cast of “Dynasty” in 1981 during its second season, quickly becoming a pivotal character in the series. Her portrayal of Alexis, characterised by fierce determination and cunning ambition, helped “Dynasty” reach unprecedented heights in viewer ratings, firmly establishing it as one of the most beloved shows of its era. Spelling, who produced the series, was vocal about the unique qualities that brought Alexis to life, famously stating in 2005, “We didn’t write Joan Collins. She played Joan Collins.”

Spelling’s comments have etched themselves in Collins’s mind over the years, stirring complex emotions. According to her, these remarks suggested a blurring between her persona and that of her character. In her conversation with British Vogue, Collins revealed, “When [Aaron] said, ‘Joan is Alexis,’ that haunted me for so long. I said, ‘Aaron, why did you say that? You know that’s not true,’ and he replied, ‘Honey, it gets headlines.’”

The critically acclaimed series ran on ABC from 1981 until 1989, chronicling the tumultuous lives of the affluent Carrington and Colby families in Denver. Collins’s character was either loved or hated, yet she showcased a vulnerability that often went unrecognised. This complexity is a point of pride for the actress, who has expressed that Alexis was, at her core, a tragic figure.

In various interviews, Collins has elaborated on Alexis’s troubled backstory, particularly highlighting the loss she suffered when her children were estranged from her due to the machinations of her ex-husband, Blake Carrington. “Alexis was a very vulnerable and sad character,” she stated. “She had been banished from her children by Blake Carrington, who was a murderer. Do you know? We never hear about this, of course, because he’s a man.”

Collins’s reflections also touch upon broader themes of gender and treatment within the industry. She has lamented that commentary surrounding Alexis often failed to consider the circumstances that shaped her character. “It was never mentioned that perhaps Alexis Carrington became somewhat of a bitch because of the way she was treated, when she also was extremely witty and had great lines of dialogue,” Collins noted. She posits that ambition and assertiveness, often viewed negatively in women, are traits well-documented in male counterparts in business.

The actress is currently spotlighting her new role as Wallis Simpson in the biopic “My Duchess,” providing her with an opportunity to explore another complex historical figure. She mentioned that had she crossed paths with Simpson, the two could have bonded over their experiences of media scrutiny. The connection speaks to Collins’s understanding of the challenges faced by women in the public eye.

As she looks back on her career and the impact of her work on “Dynasty,” Collins continues to convey her desire for a more nuanced understanding of female characters in television and film. The legacy of her portrayal of Alexis remains a topic of interest and discussion, illustrating the lasting influence of “Dynasty” on pop culture.

With her remarkable career spanning several decades, Collins remains an astute observer of the entertainment industry. She hopes future representations of women in similar roles will encompass the complexity that her character embodied, moving beyond simplistic categorizations based on ambition or behaviour typically attributed to male characters.