WB Animation Developing Dark Shadows Animated Adaptation

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Warner Bros. Animation is bringing one of television’s most iconic supernatural families back from the dead. At the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the studio officially announced it is developing an adult animated series based on the classic gothic soap opera Dark Shadows.

Revealed during a Studio Focus panel by Warner Bros. executives Peter Girardi and Shaleen Desai, the project coincides with the legendary franchise celebrating its sixty-year anniversary.

Reviving a Cult Classic

The original daytime drama, created by Dan Curtis, broke the mold during its historic run on ABC. While it struggled with low ratings initially, it exploded into a pop culture phenomenon after introducing Barnabas Collins—television’s original anti-hero and the prototype for the modern-day “vampire with a conscience.” The sprawling, campy masterpiece eventually spanned more than twelve hundred episodes, blending ghosts, witches, time travel, and parallel universes.

While the franchise has seen several live-action resurrections over the decades—most notably Tim Burton’s 2012 feature film starring Johnny Depp—this marks the very first time the Collins family will step into the world of animation.

According to the official logline provided by the studio:

“Blending gothic, horror, and supernatural genres, this coming adaptation promises all the dark twists and romantic intrigue that defined the transformational series across its 1200-plus episode run.”

A Heavyweight Creative Team

Warner Bros. Animation has assembled an impressive lineup of creative talent to steer the ship back to Collinsport:

  • Lisa Holdsworth (A Discovery of Witches, Call the Midwife) will spearhead the project as executive producer and showrunner, bringing strong genre and character drama credentials to the writing room.

  • Kevin Kolde (Castlevania, Castlevania: Nocturne) is attached as an executive producer. His heavy background in high-end, gothic-horror animation makes his involvement a massive win for fans hoping for a moody, atmospheric aesthetic.

  • Fred Seibert (Adventure Time) and Eric Homan join the executive producing roster alongside Cathy Curtis and Tracy Curtis, keeping the legacy of original creator Dan Curtis tied directly to the production.

Why Animation Works

Industry insiders note that moving Dark Shadows to an animated format is a brilliant strategic move. The original 1960s series was famously ambitious, attempting massive supernatural set pieces, magic, and visual effects on a shoestring daytime television budget.

By utilizing adult animation, the creative team can fully lean into the horror, cosmic scope, and dark fantasy elements of the lore without the massive financial constraints that a live-action production would require.

The project is currently in active development, with network placement, voice casting, and a specific release window to be announced at a later date.

About John Schwarz

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