Michael Culhane Explained

Michael Culhane
Series:Dynasty
Portrayer:Wayne Northrop
First:"Oil" (1981)
Last:"The Sublet" (1987)
Creator:Richard and Esther Shapiro
Image1:Michael Culhane-Wayne Northrop.jpg
Caption1:Wayne Northrop as Michael Culhane
Years:1981, 1986–87

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.

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
Series:Dynasty
Portrayer:Robert Christopher Riley
Years:2017–22
First:"I Hardly Recognized You" (2017)
Last:"Catch 22" (2022)
Creator:Sallie Patrick
Richard and Esther Shapiro
Image1:Michael Culhane-Robert Christopher Riley.jpg
Caption1:Robert Christopher Riley as Michael Culhane
Occupation:Businessman
Chauffeur (formerly)
Father:James Culhane
Mother:Luella Culhane
Sisters:Evie Culhane

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]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Schemering, Christopher . Christopher Schemering . . September 1985 . 80–81 . 0-345-32459-5.
  2. Web site: Loren gives bravura performance in Courage. The Spokesman-Review. news.google.com. September 23, 1986. B5. November 15, 2018. October 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191002212928/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GBNQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RwgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6781,5146261. live.
  3. Web site: Ranching focus of show. Faye. Zuckerman. The Gadsden Times. news.google.com. January 7, 1987. December 4, 2017. October 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191002212926/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_7QfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=M9cEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3054,1091659. live.
  4. Web site: Dynasty Reboot in the Works at The CW . . Lesley . Goldberg . Michael . O'Connell . September 30, 2016 . October 6, 2016 . May 17, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190517072732/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/dynasty-reboot-works-at-cw-934334 . live .
  5. Web site: Dynasty Reboot Set At the CW With Josh Schwartz & Stephanie Savage . Nellie . Andreeva . . September 30, 2016 . October 2, 2016 . October 1, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161001144713/https://deadline.com/2016/09/dynasty-reboot-the-cw-josh-schwartz-stephanie-savage-1201829178/ . live .
  6. Web site: Dynasty: CW Reboot Casts Robert Christopher Riley; Valor Adds Charlie Barnett. Denise. Petski. February 24, 2017. Deadline Hollywood. May 11, 2017. March 27, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190327102121/https://deadline.com/2017/02/dynasty-cw-reboot-cast-robert-christopher-riley-valor-charlie-barnett-1201970567/. live.
  7. Web site: The CW Sets Fall 2017 Premiere Dates For Dynasty & Valor And Returning Series. Andreeva. Nellie. Deadline Hollywood. June 8, 2017. June 8, 2017. June 11, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170611132346/http://deadline.com/2017/06/the-cw-fall-premiere-dates-dynasty-valor-the-flash-1202109659/. live.
  8. Web site: In Dynasty reboot, women are strong and gays are out and proud . Scott D. . Price . . October 6, 2017 . November 7, 2017 . November 8, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171108095138/http://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/tv/2017/10/06/in-dynasty-reboot-women-are-strong-and-gays-are-out-and-proud/ . live .
  9. Web site: The CW's Dynasty Knows Exactly What It Is. Matt Zoller. Seitz. Vulture. October 10, 2017. November 8, 2017. November 9, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171109001331/http://www.vulture.com/2017/10/dynasty-the-cw-review.html. live.
  10. Web site: Dynasty showrunner reveals the Alexis Carrington cameo you might've missed. Entertainment Weekly. Sallie. Patrick. Sallie Patrick. October 11, 2017. November 8, 2017. October 12, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171012091418/https://ew.com/tv/2017/10/11/dynasty-premiere-blog-sallie-patrick/. dead.
  11. Web site: Dynasty series premiere recap: 'I Hardly Recognized You' (Season 1, Episode 1). October 12, 2017. Entertainment Weekly. Marc. Snetiker. November 6, 2017. November 8, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171108094007/http://ew.com/recap/dynasty-series-premiere/. live.
  12. Web site: Dynasty recap: 'Guilt Is for Insecure People' (Season 1, Episode 3). October 26, 2017. Entertainment Weekly. Marc. Snetiker. November 6, 2017. November 8, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171108094726/http://ew.com/recap/dynasty-season-1-episode-3/. live.
  13. Web site: Dynasty recap: 'Private as a Circus' (Season 1, Episode 4). November 2, 2017. Entertainment Weekly. Marc. Snetiker. November 6, 2017. November 5, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171105234552/http://ew.com/recap/dynasty-season-1-episode-4/. live.
  14. Web site: Dynasty Episode 6 Review: 'I Exist Only For Me'. Den of Geek. Delia. Harrington. November 15, 2017. November 30, 2017. December 2, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171202055003/http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/dynasty/269029/dynasty-episode-6-review-i-exist-only-for-me. live.
  15. Web site: Dynasty Episode 7 Review: 'Taste of Your Own Medicine'. Den of Geek. Delia. Harrington. November 29, 2017. November 30, 2017. November 30, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171130054726/http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/dynasty/269345/dynasty-episode-7-review-taste-of-your-own-medicine. live.
  16. Web site: Dynasty Season 1 Episode 8 Review: 'The Best Things in Life'. Den of Geek. Delia. Harrington. December 7, 2017. December 7, 2017. December 7, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171207101844/http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/dynasty/269509/dynasty-season-1-episode-8-review-the-best-things-in-life. live.
  17. Web site: Dynasty Recap: 'Tis the Season for Secrets and Blackmail. Andrea. Reiher. December 7, 2017. Brit + Co. December 7, 2017. December 8, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171208070743/https://www.brit.co/dynasty-season-1-episode-8-recap-best-things-life/. live.
  18. Web site: Dynasty Episode 9 Review: 'Rotten Things'. Den of Geek. Delia. Harrington. December 13, 2017. December 13, 2017. December 14, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171214045420/http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/dynasty/269673/dynasty-episode-9-review-rotten-things. live.
  19. Web site: Dynasty New Villain Isn't Who We Expected It to Be. Andrea. Reiher. Brit + Co. December 13, 2017. December 13, 2017. December 15, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171215053326/https://www.brit.co/dynasty-season-1-episode-9-recap-rotten-things/. live.
  20. Web site: Dynasty Episode 13 Review: 'Nothing But Trouble'. Den of Geek. Delia. Harrington. February 8, 2018. March 12, 2018. March 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180313094439/http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/dynasty/270812/dynasty-episode-13-review-nothing-but-trouble. live.
  21. Web site: Dynasty Recap: 'Nothing But Trouble' Left Us With Some *Major* Cliffhangers. Andrea. Reiher. Brit + Co. February 8, 2018. March 12, 2018. March 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180313092744/https://www.brit.co/dynasty-season-1-episode-13-nothing-but-trouble-recap/. live.
  22. Web site: Dynasty Is Back With a Vengeance (in More Ways Than One). Andrea. Reiher. Brit + Co. March 12, 2018. March 12, 2018. March 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180313093252/https://www.brit.co/dynasty-season-1-episode-14-gospel-according-to-blake-carrington-recap/. live.
  23. Web site: Dynasty Episode 15 Review: 'Our Turn Now'. Den of Geek. Delia. Harrington. March 16, 2018. March 23, 2018. March 24, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180324103143/http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/dynasty/271807/dynasty-episode-15-review-our-turn-now. live.
  24. Web site: Dynasty Episode 17 Review: 'Enter Alexis'. Den of Geek. Delia. Harrington. March 30, 2018. April 5, 2018. April 4, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180404211229/http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/dynasty/272011/dynasty-episode-17-review-enter-alexis. live.
  25. Web site: Dynasty 'Enter Alexis' Is Everything We Hoped It Would Be and More. Andrea. Reiher. Brit + Co. April 1, 2018. April 5, 2018. April 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180405152803/https://www.brit.co/dynasty-enter-alexis-episode-17-recap/. live.
  26. Web site: Dynasty Episode 18 Review: 'Don't Con a Con Artist'. Den of Geek. Delia. Harrington. April 7, 2018. April 10, 2018. April 10, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180410044845/http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/dynasty/272391/dynasty-episode-18-review-don-t-con-a-con-artist. live.
  27. Web site: Dynasty Turns Down the Heat a Bit With 'Don't Con a Con Artist'. Andrea. Reiher. Brit + Co. April 9, 2018. April 10, 2018. April 10, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180410135041/https://www.brit.co/dynasty-episode-18-dont-con-a-con-artist-recap/. live.
  28. Web site: Dynasty Episode 19 Review: 'Use or Be Used'. Den of Geek. Delia. Harrington. April 20, 2018. April 28, 2018. April 26, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180426121633/http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/dynasty/272819/dynasty-episode-19-review-use-or-be-used. live.
  29. Web site: Dynasty Recap: Alexis Exposes Liam, But Is That Who He Really Is?. Andrea. Reiher. Brit + Co. April 23, 2018. April 28, 2018. May 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180503042443/https://www.brit.co/dynasty-episode-19-use-or-be-used-recap/. live.
  30. Web site: Dynasty Episode 20 Review: 'A Line from the Past'. Den of Geek. Delia. Harrington. April 27, 2018. April 28, 2018. April 29, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180429175451/http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/dynasty/273044/dynasty-episode-20-review-a-line-from-the-past. live.
  31. Web site: Dynasty Gets a Little Too Convoluted With 'A Line from the Past'. Andrea. Reiher. Brit + Co. April 30, 2018. May 2, 2018. May 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180503041700/https://www.brit.co/dynasty-episode-20-line-from-the-past-recap/. live.
  32. Web site: Dynasty Episode 21 Review: 'Trashy Little Tramp'. Den of Geek. Delia. Harrington. May 4, 2018. May 7, 2018. May 8, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180508055721/http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/dynasty/273238/dynasty-episode-21-review-trashy-little-tramp. live.
  33. Web site: Dynasty Episode 22 Review: 'Dead Scratch'. Den of Geek. Delia. Harrington. May 11, 2018. May 13, 2018. May 15, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180515050302/http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/dynasty/273422/dynasty-episode-22-review-dead-scratch. live.
  34. Web site: Dynasty Goes Out in a Blaze of Glory—Bring on Season 2!. Andrea. Reiher. Brit + Co. May 14, 2018. August 31, 2018. May 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180503041700/https://www.brit.co/dynasty-episode-20-line-from-the-past-recap/. live.
  35. Web site: Dynasty Season 2 Episode 1 Review: '23 Skiddoo'. Den of Geek. Delia. Harrington. October 13, 2018. October 15, 2018. October 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181013223737/https://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/dynasty/276944/dynasty-season-2-episode-1-review-23-skiddoo. live.

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