Barnabas Collins

Barnabas Collins is the main protagonist of the series, novels and the film Dark Shadow. He's a 175-year-old vampire looking for his true love, Josette.

In the 1991 NBC cover version of Dark Shadows, British actor Ben Cross played the role of Barnabas Collins. Alec Newman played the role in the original 2004 pilot film. In the recent series of audio dramas produced by Big Finish Productions, he is described by Andrew Collins, while Frid returns to play the role one last time in The Night Whispers. The role is played by Johnny Depp in the film Dark Shadows by director Tim Burton in 2012.

Movie
In the 2012 film Dark Shadows, Barnabas is played by Johnny Depp as a somewhat-modernized version of the character from the original series. He has a deep obsession with Josette, has no forgiveness for those who betray him, and believes that his curse can be reversed. He shows deep emotions for his modern family members, whose lives he longs to be part of. He displays his television counterpart's powers and abilities, while subject to his cold vampire instincts. Barnabas tries to win the love of David's governess Maggie Evans, now called Victoria Winters, who reminds him of his lost beloved Josette. Depp's version is up to date with popular culture and has a strong taste for rock music. He wears a hair and clothing style similar to his late 1960s counterpart, but dresses more colorfully. His character is portrayed as somewhat more sexually active and eccentric than before. This incarnation has a different relationship with Dr. Hoffman, who never becomes his ally.