In 1985, Dynasty was more than one of the most popular shows in America — it was a bonafide TV phenomenon, and ABC hoped to capture some of that magic when they premiered a spinoff called The Colbys on November 20, 1985. The show, hoping to give fans of the Dynasty world even more to love, followed characters Jeff and Fallon as they moved to the West Coast. They hoped to bring Pamela Sue Martin back as Fallon, but ultimately, she was recast, with Emma Samms taking her place. Charlton Heston signed on as Jason Colby after talks with Burt Lancaster fell through. Barbara Stanwyck joined as the family matriarch, while British stars Stephanie Beacham and Maxwell Caulfield rounded out the cast. ABC framed the entire project as a luxury expansion of the Dynasty brand, complete with a crossover storyline that would bring Fallon straight into the new series.