King's Crossing (1982)

[Cassette Carl]

Title: King's Crossing

Genre: Drama, Soap

Cast: Mary Frann, Michael Zaslow, Linda Hamilton, Bradford Dillman, Beatrice Straight, Doran Clark, Stephanie Braxton

First aired: Jan 15, 1982

Last air date: Feb 26, 1982

Overview: King's Crossing is an American nighttime soap opera which aired on ABC from January 16, 1982 to February 27, 1982 on Saturday Night at 8:00pm for seven episodes.

Its roots can be found in the 1980 drama Secrets of Midland Heights, which aired on CBS for eight episodes. When that show was canceled, Lorimar Productions announced it would return in a retooled format; King's Crossing was a completely different show, but employed several actors who had also appeared in the earlier drama.

The show centered around the Hollister family relocating to King's Crossing, California. The father, Paul, was a recovering alcoholic who was hoping for a fresh start with his family and career as an English professor at the town's college. His long-suffering wife Nan was also trying to reestablish a connection with her cold and distant Aunt Louisa Beauchamp, who had never approved of Paul. Nan and Paul had two teenage daughters: Lauren, an aspiring pianist who fell into an affair with her piano teacher, symphony conductor Jonathan Hadary, and Carey, a student curious about Aunt Louisa and family secrets. One of those secrets involved a mysterious person hidden away in an attic room; that person turned out to be their crippled cousin Jillian. Carey tried to restore Jillian's confidence and draw her further into the family, much to Aunt Louisa's consternation. Louisa's attempts to hide family secrets and the true story behind Jillian's accident were not revealed before the show was canceled.

"King's Crossing" was indeed a short-lived drama that aired on ABC, offering a glimpse into the complexities of the Hollister family's life in a small Californian town. Despite its brief run, the show attempted to weave intricate storylines involving family secrets, personal struggles, and the quest for redemption.

The series was a product of Lorimar Productions, a company known for producing several other popular 1980s dramas, such as "Dallas" and "Knots Landing." Although "King's Crossing" didn't achieve the same level of success, it provided an engaging narrative with a talented cast, including Linda Hamilton, who would later gain fame for her role in "The Terminator" franchise.

The show's connection to "Secrets of Midland Heights" is an interesting footnote in television history, as it highlights the era's experimentation with retooling and reimagining series concepts to capture audience interest. While "King's Crossing" may not have had the opportunity to fully develop its storylines, its attempt to tackle themes of family dynamics and hidden pasts remains a noteworthy endeavor from the early 1980s television landscape.