J.R. is back!

The classic, opulent and over-the-top primetime Texas soap, Dallas, that I grew up watching, is officially returning to the small screen. I can remember many an evening glued to my livingroom television set watching the sinful exploits of J.R. Ewing, his long suffering wife Sue Ellen, the beautiful Pamela Barnes Ewing (Victoria Principal) and boyishly handsome Bobby Ewing (played by Patrick Duffy). Of course, they did that classic TV bait and switch on us with J.R. and Bobby’s mother (first we had Barbara Bel Gedes playing Miss Ellie, the family matriarch, and then she was replaced by another actress).

The TV brass had this to say about their decision to resurrect Dallas for the TNT network:

“TNT has explored the possibility of an updated version of Dallas for several years, but it wasn’t until we read Cynthia Cidre’s outstanding pilot script that we knew we had the foundation for a great new series,” Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TNT, TBS and Turner Classic Movies, said in a statement. “It is incredibly exciting to see both new and familiar characters in the hands of a dream cast under the guidance of the enormously talented Cidre and Mike Robin. We couldn’t be more pleased with how Dallas has come together.”

Some younger actors joining the cast of Dallas include: Josh Henderson, Jesse Metcalfe, Brenda Strong, Jordana Brewster and Julie Gonzalo who will join Dallas veterans: Larry Hagman (J.R. Ewing), Linda Gray (Sue Ellen) and Patrick Duffy (Bobby Ewing).

Will you be watching this new re-booted version of Dallas? And do you think the twenty-somethings who didn’t grow up watching the classic nighttime drama that epitomized the 1980s will be able to pick up on the show?

According to Access Hollywood, “Viewers can get a first look at the new version of “Dallas” this coming Monday during the season premiere of “The Closer,” which airs at 9 PM ET/PT, and during “Rizzoli & Isles,” which hits the small screen at 10 PM ET/PT.”