Michael Culhane

Last updated
Michael Culhane
Dynasty character
Michael Culhane-Wayne Northrop.jpg
Wayne Northrop as Michael Culhane
Portrayed by Wayne Northrop
Duration1981, 1986–87
First appearance"Oil" (1981)
Last appearance"The Sublet" (1987)
Created by Richard and Esther Shapiro

Michael Culhane is a fictional character from the ABC television series Dynasty , created by Richard and Esther Shapiro. Portrayed by Wayne Northrop, the character is introduced in the series' 1981 pilot episode as the chauffeur of oil tycoon Blake Carrington (John Forsythe). Michael is also having an affair with Blake's self-indulgent daughter, Fallon (Pamela Sue Martin). Northrop left the series at the end of the first season, but returned for season seven, during which Michael dates Fallon's sister, Amanda (Karen Cellini). In The CW's 2017 reboot of the series, Michael is portrayed by Robert Christopher Riley.

Contents

Original series

Northrop debuted as Michael in the Dynasty pilot episode, "Oil" (1981), and left in the season one finale, "The Testimony" (1981). [1] He returned in the seventh season premiere "The Victory" (1986), [2] and left again in the episode "The Sublet" (1987). [3]

Storylines

Season one

As Dynasty begins, Carrington chauffeur Michael is involved in a sexual relationship with heiress Fallon, the daughter of his boss, Blake Carrington. Michael proves useful to Blake in his shady business dealings, but Blake has him beaten up when he learns of his relationship with Fallon.

Season two

Fired by Blake, Michael leaves town in the episode "The Verdict" without informing Fallon of his departure.

Season seven

Michael returns in the seventh season premiere "The Victory", in time to save Fallon's sister Amanda Carrington from a fire at La Mirage. The two become romantically involved as Blake gives Michael back his job as Blake's driver, but Blake fires Michael when he sees him kissing Amanda. An angry Michael, not really as poor as he has let on, secretly orchestrates a deal that would give him a piece of Blake's latest venture. However, Amanda's mother Alexis Colby reveals his schemes, and he leaves Denver again in "The Sublet".

Reboot

Michael Culhane
Dynasty character
Michael Culhane-Robert Christopher Riley.jpg
Robert Christopher Riley as Michael Culhane
Portrayed by Robert Christopher Riley
Duration2017–22
First appearance"I Hardly Recognized You" (2017)
Last appearance"Catch 22" (2022)
Created by Sallie Patrick
Richard and Esther Shapiro
In-universe information
Occupation Businessman
Chauffeur (formerly)
FatherJames Culhane
Mother Luella Culhane
SistersEvie Culhane
Spouse
​
(m. 2022)​

Casting and development

A pilot for a Dynasty reboot for The CW was announced in September 2016, [4] [5] and Riley was cast as Michael in February 2017. [6] The new series premiered on The CW on October 11, 2017. [7]

The character is one of several cast as nonwhite for the reboot. [8] [9] Executive producer Sallie Patrick said that with Michael and Carrington butler Anders, "we introduce the theme of upstairs/downstairs, because how can you have a show about the filthy rich without including the people who try their damnedest to keep them clean?" [10]

Storylines

Season one

Carrington chauffeur Michael Culhane (Robert Christopher Riley) is also Fallon's lover and unofficial henchman, though he has feelings for her which seem unrequited. Michael gets photos for Fallon of Cristal kissing her ex-lover Matthew Blaisdel in "I Hardly Recognized You". [11] In "Guilt is for Insecure People", Michael is hesitant to help Fallon find leverage against her father Blake. Meanwhile, Fallon's brother Steven is suspicious of Blake's involvement in Matthew's death, and Michael reveals to him that Blake has Matthew's phone in his possession. [12] Somewhat frustrated by Fallon's dismissive treatment, Michael becomes involved with Kori Rucks, Fallon's acquaintance from high school, in "Private as a Circus". [13] Their relationship survives Fallon's jealous meddling in "I Exist Only for Me". [14] In "A Taste of Your Own Medicine", Fallon meets Michael's parents, Louella and James. Michael has led them to believe that he is a vice president at Carrington Atlantic, and Fallon backs him up. [15] In "The Best Things in Life", Michael's relationship with Kori implodes over his lingering feelings for Fallon. [16] [17] In "Rotten Things", Fallon has a falling out with Monica Colby, who begins her own romantic relationship with Michael. [18] [19] When Fallon discovers that Monica is helping Jeff manipulate her into marriage for nefarious reasons in "Nothing But Trouble", Michael agrees to help Fallon investigate why, and turn the tables on the Colbys. [20] [21] In "The Gospel According to Blake Carrington", Michael enlists the help of his computer genius teenage sister, Evie (Elizabeth Youman), who confirms Fallon's suspicions that Jeff has access to all Carrington emails and texts. [22] On the eve of her faux wedding to Jeff in "Our Turn Now", Fallon tells Michael she loves him, and asks him to marry her at city hall. He refuses, not wanting something so important to be part of a Carrington plot. [23] In "Enter Alexis", Michael learns that his father is seriously ill, and resigns. [24] [25] Cristal connects James's leukemia diagnosis to a Carrington Atlantic coverup in "Don't Con a Con Artist". [26] [27] Louella asks Fallon to keep her distance from Michael in "Use or Be Used". [28] [29] In "A Line from the Past", James dies as the coverup is exposed in the press, and Cristal—in her last act as COO after being fired by Blake—hires Michael. [30] [31] When Blake pushes back against Fallon's and Michael's efforts toward change in "Trashy Little Tramp", Michael urges Fallon to do the right thing. She finds incriminating information on Blake, which she uses in a secret meeting with the Carrington Atlantic board to make a case for them to name her CEO in Blake's place. [32] Fallon professes her love for Michael in "Dead Scratch", but he announces his intention to leave Atlanta. When the Carringtons are trapped in the burning trophy room, Michael comes to their rescue. [33] [34]

Season two

In "Twenty-Three Skidoo", Michael and Fallon have resumed their relationship. Though Fallon and Liam Ridley are still pretending to be married, Michael proposes, and she accepts. [35]

Related Research Articles

<i>Dynasty</i> (1981 TV series) 1980s American prime time television soap opera

Dynasty is an American prime time soap opera that aired on ABC from January 12, 1981, to May 11, 1989. The series, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro and produced by Aaron Spelling, revolves around the Carringtons, a wealthy family residing in Denver. Dynasty stars John Forsythe as oil magnate Blake Carrington, Linda Evans as his new wife Krystle, and later Joan Collins as his former wife Alexis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amanda Carrington</span> Soap opera character

Amanda Carrington is a fictional character from the ABC prime time soap opera Dynasty, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro. She was portrayed by Catherine Oxenberg for two seasons from 1984 to 1986, and then by Karen Cellini for 13 episodes from 1986 to 1987. Eliza Bennett plays Amanda in the CW reboot series Dynasty from 2021 to 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blake Carrington</span> Soap opera character

Blake Alexander Carrington is a fictional character on the ABC television series Dynasty, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro. The role of Blake was originally portrayed by actor John Forsythe from 1981 to 1989. Forsythe returned for the miniseries Dynasty: The Reunion in 1991. In the reboot of the series, Blake is played by Grant Show from 2017 to 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krystle Carrington</span> Fictional character in the American television series "Dynasty"

Krystle Carrington is a fictional character from the 1980s American TV series Dynasty, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro. Portrayed by Linda Evans, the character was introduced in the 1981 pilot episode. In the story, Krystle is the former secretary and new wife of oil tycoon Blake Carrington, and initially has to adjust to his machinations and upper class lifestyle. The arrival of Joan Collins as Blake's glamorous ex-wife Alexis Carrington provided a foil for Krystle for the remainder of the series. Evans left Dynasty early in its ninth and final season, though she reprised her role for the 1991 miniseries continuation, Dynasty: The Reunion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steven Carrington</span> Soap opera character

Steven Daniel Carrington is a fictional character on the American prime time soap opera Dynasty. Steven is noteworthy as one of the earliest gay main characters on American television. Despite identifying as homosexual, Steven has relationships with both men and women throughout the series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexis Colby</span> Fictional character on the American TV series Dynasty

Alexis Carrington Colby is a fictional character on the American TV series Dynasty. She is the ex-wife of Blake Carrington and her schemes cause one problem after another for him and their children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrington family</span> Core family in the soap opera Dynasty

The Carringtons are the core family of the American prime time soap opera Dynasty, which aired on ABC from January 12, 1981 to May 11, 1989. The series was followed up by a two-part miniseries entitled Dynasty: The Reunion in October 1991. A Dynasty reboot premiered on The CW on October 11, 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fallon Carrington</span> Soap opera character

Fallon Carrington is a fictional character from the ABC television series Dynasty and its spin-off The Colbys. Created by Richard and Esther Shapiro, the role of Fallon was originated by Pamela Sue Martin in the show's first episode in 1981, and Martin left at the end of the fourth season in 1984. Fallon was recast with Emma Samms in 1985, and the character was spun off onto a companion series called The Colbys. After the cancellation of the second series, Fallon returned to Dynasty in 1987, and remained on the series until its finale in 1989. Samms later reprised the role for the 1991 miniseries Dynasty: The Reunion. Elizabeth Gillies plays Fallon in The CW's 2017 reboot series Dynasty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Anders</span> Soap opera character

Joseph Anders is a fictional character from the ABC television series Dynasty, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro. Portrayed by Lee Bergere, the character is introduced in the series' 1981 pilot episode as the majordomo of Denver oil tycoon Blake Carrington. Joseph is consistently caught up in the melodrama of the Carrington family, and his daughter, Kirby, is introduced in 1982. Bergere was written out of the series at the beginning of the fourth season in 1983. Anders is portrayed by Alan Dale in The CW's 2017 reboot of the series from seasons one to four.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Claudia Blaisdel Carrington</span> Soap opera character

Claudia Blaisdel Carrington is a fictional character from the ABC prime time soap opera Dynasty, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro. Originated by Pamela Bellwood in the series' 1981 pilot episode, "Oil", Claudia is initially the estranged, emotionally troubled wife of Denver–Carrington geologist Matthew Blaisdel. She later becomes entangled in the intrigues surrounding the Carrington family, and is married for a time to Steven Carrington, and later his brother Adam. Bellwood left Dynasty at the end of the sixth season in 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sammy Jo Carrington</span> Soap opera character

Sammy Jo Carrington is a fictional character on the ABC television series Dynasty, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro. The niece of central protagonist Krystle Carrington, Sammy Jo marries and has a son with Steven Carrington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Colby</span> Soap opera character

Jeffrey Broderick "Jeff" Colby is a fictional character on the ABC prime time soap opera Dynasty, created by Richard and Esther Shapiro. Portrayed by John James, Jeff Colby was introduced in the show's first episode in 1981 and appeared as a series regular for six seasons until transferring to the spin-off companion series, The Colbys. The character returned to Dynasty upon the cancellation of The Colbys in 1987 and remained with the series until its final episode in 1989. James later reprised his role for the 1991 miniseries, Dynasty: The Reunion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dominique Deveraux</span> Soap opera character

Dominique Deveraux is a fictional character on the ABC prime time soap opera Dynasty and its spin-off, The Colbys. Portrayed by Diahann Carroll from 1984 to 1987, the character is the surprise half-sister of millionaire Blake Carrington. Dominique was written out of the series at the end of its seventh season, and did not return for the 1991 miniseries Dynasty: The Reunion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirby Anders</span> Soap opera character

Kirby Anders is a fictional character on the ABC prime time soap opera Dynasty. Portrayed by Kathleen Beller from 1982 to 1984, the character was introduced in the seventh episode of the series' third season, but was written out after the fourth season finale. Beller reprised the role for the 1991 miniseries, Dynasty: The Reunion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monica Colby</span> Fictional character

Monica Scott Colby is a fictional character from the ABC television series Dynasty and its spin-off The Colbys, both created by Richard and Esther Shapiro. Portrayed by Tracy Scoggins, the character was introduced on Dynasty in the November 1985 two-part episode "The Titans" as the lawyer daughter of wealthy California CEO Jason Colby and his socialite wife, Sable. Scoggins was subsequently a series regular on The Colbys for two seasons from 1985 to 1987. She reappeared as Monica on Dynasty for its final eight episodes in 1989.

<i>Dynasty</i> (2017 TV series) American television soap opera

Dynasty is an American comedy drama television series reboot based on the 1980s soap opera of the same name. Developed by Josh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage, and Sallie Patrick, the first season stars Elizabeth Gillies as glamorous businesswoman Fallon Carrington, Grant Show as her billionaire father Blake, James Mackay as her brother Steven, and Nathalie Kelley as Blake's new wife Cristal, with Robert Christopher Riley as chauffeur Michael Culhane, Sam Adegoke as tech billionaire Jeff Colby, Rafael de la Fuente as Cristal's nephew Sam "Sammy Jo" Jones, and Alan Dale as Joseph Anders, the cunning majordomo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liam Ridley</span> Fictional character from Dynasty (2017)

Liam Ridley is a fictional character from The CW's 2017 series Dynasty, a reboot of the 1980s prime time soap opera of the same name. Portrayed by Adam Huber, Liam is the only series regular role in the remake not based on a character from the original series. Liam first appears in the 2018 episode "Our Turn Now", in which he meets and agrees to marry Atlanta energy heiress Fallon Carrington to thwart the plans of tech billionaire Jeff Colby to ruin her. After recurring in seasons one and two, Huber was promoted to a series regular for the third season. The character has been a fan favorite since his very first appearance.

<i>Dynasty</i> (2017 TV series) season 1 Season of television series

The first season of Dynasty, an American television series based on the 1980s prime time soap opera of the same name, originally aired in the United States on The CW from October 11, 2017 through May 11, 2018. The season was produced by CBS Television Studios, with Sallie Patrick as showrunner and executive producer alongside executive producers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage. The pilot, which was announced in September 2016, was ordered to series in May 2017. On November 8, 2017, The CW picked up Dynasty for a full season of 22 episodes. On April 2, 2018, The CW renewed the series for a second season.

<i>Dynasty</i> (2017 TV series) season 2 Season of television series

The second season of Dynasty, an American television series based on the 1980s prime time soap opera of the same name, originally aired in the United States on The CW from October 12, 2018, through May 24, 2019. The season was produced by CBS Television Studios, with Sallie Patrick as showrunner and executive producer alongside executive producers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage. Debuting on October 11, 2017, the series was renewed for a second season on April 2, 2018. Dynasty was renewed for a third season on January 31, 2019.

References

  1. ↑ Schemering, Christopher (September 1985). The Soap Opera Encyclopedia . pp. 80–81. ISBN   0-345-32459-5.
  2. ↑ "Loren gives bravura performance in Courage". The Spokesman-Review . September 23, 1986. p. B5. Archived from the original on October 2, 2019. Retrieved November 15, 2018– via news.google.com.
  3. ↑ Zuckerman, Faye (January 7, 1987). "Ranching focus of show". The Gadsden Times . Archived from the original on October 2, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2017– via news.google.com.
  4. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley; O'Connell, Michael (September 30, 2016). "Dynasty Reboot in the Works at The CW". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  5. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (September 30, 2016). "Dynasty Reboot Set At the CW With Josh Schwartz & Stephanie Savage". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on October 1, 2016. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  6. ↑ Petski, Denise (February 24, 2017). "Dynasty: CW Reboot Casts Robert Christopher Riley; Valor Adds Charlie Barnett". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  7. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (June 8, 2017). "The CW Sets Fall 2017 Premiere Dates For Dynasty & Valor And Returning Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 11, 2017. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  8. ↑ Price, Scott D. (October 6, 2017). "In Dynasty reboot, women are strong and gays are out and proud". The Salt Lake Tribune . Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  9. ↑ Seitz, Matt Zoller (October 10, 2017). "The CW's Dynasty Knows Exactly What It Is". Vulture . Archived from the original on November 9, 2017. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  10. ↑ Patrick, Sallie (October 11, 2017). "Dynasty showrunner reveals the Alexis Carrington cameo you might've missed". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  11. ↑ Snetiker, Marc (October 12, 2017). "Dynasty series premiere recap: 'I Hardly Recognized You' (Season 1, Episode 1)". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  12. ↑ Snetiker, Marc (October 26, 2017). "Dynasty recap: 'Guilt Is for Insecure People' (Season 1, Episode 3)". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  13. ↑ Snetiker, Marc (November 2, 2017). "Dynasty recap: 'Private as a Circus' (Season 1, Episode 4)". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 5, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  14. ↑ Harrington, Delia (November 15, 2017). "Dynasty Episode 6 Review: 'I Exist Only For Me'". Den of Geek . Archived from the original on December 2, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  15. ↑ Harrington, Delia (November 29, 2017). "Dynasty Episode 7 Review: 'Taste of Your Own Medicine'". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on November 30, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2017.
  16. ↑ Harrington, Delia (December 7, 2017). "Dynasty Season 1 Episode 8 Review: 'The Best Things in Life'". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on December 7, 2017. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  17. ↑ Reiher, Andrea (December 7, 2017). "Dynasty Recap: 'Tis the Season for Secrets and Blackmail". Brit + Co . Archived from the original on December 8, 2017. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  18. ↑ Harrington, Delia (December 13, 2017). "Dynasty Episode 9 Review: 'Rotten Things'". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  19. ↑ Reiher, Andrea (December 13, 2017). "Dynasty's New Villain Isn't Who We Expected It to Be". Brit + Co. Archived from the original on December 15, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  20. ↑ Harrington, Delia (February 8, 2018). "Dynasty Episode 13 Review: 'Nothing But Trouble'". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  21. ↑ Reiher, Andrea (February 8, 2018). "Dynasty Recap: 'Nothing But Trouble' Left Us With Some *Major* Cliffhangers". Brit + Co. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  22. ↑ Reiher, Andrea (March 12, 2018). "Dynasty Is Back With a Vengeance (in More Ways Than One)". Brit + Co. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  23. ↑ Harrington, Delia (March 16, 2018). "Dynasty Episode 15 Review: 'Our Turn Now'". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on March 24, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  24. ↑ Harrington, Delia (March 30, 2018). "Dynasty Episode 17 Review: 'Enter Alexis'". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on April 4, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  25. ↑ Reiher, Andrea (April 1, 2018). "Dynasty's 'Enter Alexis' Is Everything We Hoped It Would Be and More". Brit + Co. Archived from the original on April 5, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  26. ↑ Harrington, Delia (April 7, 2018). "Dynasty Episode 18 Review: 'Don't Con a Con Artist'". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  27. ↑ Reiher, Andrea (April 9, 2018). "Dynasty Turns Down the Heat a Bit With 'Don't Con a Con Artist'". Brit + Co. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  28. ↑ Harrington, Delia (April 20, 2018). "Dynasty Episode 19 Review: 'Use or Be Used'". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on April 26, 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  29. ↑ Reiher, Andrea (April 23, 2018). "Dynasty Recap: Alexis Exposes Liam, But Is That Who He Really Is?". Brit + Co. Archived from the original on May 3, 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  30. ↑ Harrington, Delia (April 27, 2018). "Dynasty Episode 20 Review: 'A Line from the Past'". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on April 29, 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  31. ↑ Reiher, Andrea (April 30, 2018). "Dynasty Gets a Little Too Convoluted With 'A Line from the Past'". Brit + Co. Archived from the original on May 3, 2018. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  32. ↑ Harrington, Delia (May 4, 2018). "Dynasty Episode 21 Review: 'Trashy Little Tramp'". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on May 8, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  33. ↑ Harrington, Delia (May 11, 2018). "Dynasty Episode 22 Review: 'Dead Scratch'". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on May 15, 2018. Retrieved May 13, 2018.
  34. ↑ Reiher, Andrea (May 14, 2018). "Dynasty Goes Out in a Blaze of Glory—Bring on Season 2!". Brit + Co. Archived from the original on May 3, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  35. ↑ Harrington, Delia (October 13, 2018). "Dynasty Season 2 Episode 1 Review: '23 Skiddoo'". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on October 13, 2018. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.