What Happened to Knots Landing?
Knots Landing was a groundbreaking American primetime television soap opera that aired on CBS from 1979 to 1993, running for 14 seasons. A spin-off of 'Dallas,' it distinguished itself by focusing on the more relatable, middle-class lives and struggles of four married couples in a fictional Los Angeles cul-de-sac, tackling complex social issues alongside its melodramatic storylines. Today, the series remains available for streaming, and its legacy is kept alive by its enduring fanbase and the continued activities of its principal cast members, including a recent podcast and new ventures by stars like Donna Mills.
Quick Answer
Knots Landing, a popular primetime soap opera and 'Dallas' spin-off, aired for 14 seasons from 1979 to 1993, becoming one of the longest-running dramas in U.S. television history. It explored the lives of suburban couples, delving into themes like marital strife, addiction, and crime. While the show concluded in 1993, followed by a miniseries in 1997 and a reunion special in 2005, its entire run became available for streaming in late 2024. As of 2026, several key cast members, including Donna Mills, Michele Lee, and Joan Van Ark, continue to engage with fans through a nostalgic podcast, and Mills notably joined OnlyFans in July 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Knots Landing Premieres
The primetime soap opera, a spin-off of 'Dallas,' debuts on CBS, focusing on four couples in a suburban cul-de-sac.
Donna Mills Joins as Abby Cunningham
Donna Mills joins the cast, introducing the iconic manipulative character Abby Cunningham, who quickly became a central figure.
Kevin Dobson Joins; Emmy Nominations Received
Kevin Dobson joins the series as M. Patrick 'Mack' MacKenzie. Michele Lee and Julie Harris receive Emmy nominations for their performances.
William Devane Joins as Gregory Sumner
William Devane is introduced as the powerful and complex politician Gregory Sumner, adding new layers of intrigue to the show.
Alec Baldwin Joins Cast
Alec Baldwin joins the cast as Joshua Rush, a manipulative TV evangelist, in one of his early major television roles.
William Devane Golden Globe Nomination
William Devane receives a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama for his role as Gregory Sumner.
Series Finale Airs
After 14 seasons, Knots Landing concludes its run, becoming one of the longest-running primetime dramas in U.S. television history.
Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac Miniseries
A two-part miniseries reunites much of the original cast to provide closure to several storylines.
Knots Landing Reunion: Together Again Special
A non-fiction special airs, featuring the cast reminiscing about their experiences on the show.
Gary and Valene Appear in 'Dallas' Revival
Ted Shackelford and Joan Van Ark reprise their roles as Gary and Valene Ewing in the TNT revival of 'Dallas'.
Kevin Dobson Passes Away
Actor Kevin Dobson, known for his role as Mack MacKenzie, dies at the age of 77 due to medical complications.
Don Murray Passes Away
Don Murray, who played original cast member Sid Fairgate, passes away at 94.
All Seasons Available for Streaming
All 14 seasons of Knots Landing become available for streaming on Amazon Prime and Plex TV, making the entire series accessible to a wider audience.
Cast Members Launch 'We're Knot Done Yet' Podcast
Donna Mills, Michele Lee, and Joan Van Ark launch a nostalgic podcast, 'We're Knot Done Yet,' sharing memories and behind-the-scenes stories from the show.
Donna Mills Joins OnlyFans
Donna Mills, at 85, announces her decision to join OnlyFans to foster a 'more personal and direct connection' with her fans, sharing daily life and behind-the-scenes content.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Knots Landing emerged as a spin-off of the highly successful primetime soap opera 'Dallas,' premiering on CBS on December 27, 1979. Created by David Jacobs, the concept initially predated 'Dallas' but was adapted to incorporate characters Gary and Valene Ewing from its parent show. Unlike the opulent world of the Ewings in 'Dallas,' Knots Landing carved out its own identity by focusing on the more grounded, middle-class lives of four married couples residing on Seaview Circle in a fictional Los Angeles suburb.
Throughout its impressive 14-year run and 344 episodes, Knots Landing tackled a wide array of complex and often controversial social issues, including marital infidelity, rape, murder, kidnapping, drug smuggling, corporate intrigue, and addiction. This willingness to delve into realistic struggles resonated deeply with audiences, earning the show critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. Key turning points included the introduction of manipulative characters like Abby Cunningham (Donna Mills) in 1980 and the arrival of attorney Mack MacKenzie (Kevin Dobson) in 1982, who brought stability and new dramatic arcs. William Devane joined in 1983 as the complex politician Gregory Sumner, further expanding the show's scope.
The series concluded on May 13, 1993, as the third-longest-running primetime drama on American television at the time. Its enduring popularity led to a two-part miniseries, 'Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac,' in 1997, which reunited much of the original cast to resolve lingering storylines. Another non-fiction special, 'Knots Landing Reunion: Together Again,' aired in 2005, allowing the cast to reminisce about their time on the show.
In recent years, the show has experienced a resurgence in accessibility. In December 2024, all 14 seasons of Knots Landing became available for streaming on platforms like Amazon Prime and Plex TV, allowing both longtime fans and new viewers to experience the series. The cast has also remained active and connected. Kevin Dobson, who played Mack MacKenzie, passed away on September 6, 2020, at the age of 77 due to medical complications. Don Murray, who portrayed Sid Fairgate, passed away on February 2, 2024, at 94.
As of 2026, several prominent cast members continue to be in the public eye. Donna Mills (Abby Cunningham), Michele Lee (Karen Fairgate MacKenzie), and Joan Van Ark (Valene Ewing) launched a nostalgic podcast titled 'We're Knot Done Yet' in 2025, offering behind-the-scenes insights and memories from the show. Most notably, in July 2026, Donna Mills, at 85, announced she had joined OnlyFans, stating her desire for a more personal and direct connection with her longtime supporters, sharing daily life moments and behind-the-scenes content. Joan Van Ark celebrated her 83rd birthday in June 2026 and remains active in theater and voice projects. William Devane (Gregory Sumner) also continues to take on acting roles and make public appearances as of July 2026.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Knots Landing made different choices?