TNT Dallas Reboot: More Casting News: Jesse Metcalfe Cast as Christopher Ewing

With Larry Hagman (JR Ewing) and Patrick Duffy (Bobby Ewing) the chief protagonists from the original Dallas series already signed on to appear in TNT's Dallas remake, Soap Opera Digest now reports that Jesse Metcalfe, another Desperate Housewives alum, has been cast in the role of Christopher Ewing.

With the role of John Ross III (Josh Henderson), JR and Sue Ellen's son already cast, casting of Christopher puts faces to the lead for Dallas: The Next Generation. The TNT remake is set to focus on the rivalry between John Ross and Christopher in battling for control over Ewing Oil, as the reins are handed from one generation (Bobby and JR) to the next (Christopher and John Ross, their sons).

Though, Christopher is Bobby and Pam's adopted son, John Ross III and Christopher are blood cousins; just not on the Ewing side of their family tree. The bloodline they share is through their mothers. Christopher's biological mother, Kristin Shepard, is John Ross's mother, Sue Ellen's sister.

At one time in the original Dallas series, it was believed that Christopher was JR's son, as JR and Kristin had engaged in an affair (before Kristin shot JR in the season one cliffhanger that had all of America talking). It turned out that Kristin had, however, miscarried JR's child and become pregnant soon after (with Christopher).

That piece of Dallas history could be deftly rewritten, making JR Christopher's father after all, and elevating the relationship between John Ross III and Christopher from cousins to brothers. It could also add tension into JR and Sue Ellen's (Linda Gray) relationship reopening the wounds of JR sleeping with Sue Ellen's sister.

To add to the conflict, John Ross and Christopher will also be involved in a love triangle, for the affections of, Elena, the daughter of the Southfork cook. Interestingly, the part of Christopher's fiancée, Rebecca has also been cast, with Julie Gonzalo from Veronica Mars.

Jesse Metcalfe was most recently seen onscreen as Luke Watson in NBC's drama, Chase. Though not officially cancelled, yet, Chase has been placed on hiatus, with five yet to be screened episodes completed. He got his first acting break in the now defunct NBC soap opera, Passions (Miguel), but really came to viewer notice in Desperate Housewives playing John Rowland, Gabi's shirtless toy boy gardener.

If the inclusion of Larry Hagman as JR Ewing in the Dallas remake's pilot isn't worth tuning in for, then perhaps the sight of Jesse Metcalfe's, Christopher Ewing, swimming laps in the Southfork pool, showing off that wonderful chest and those abs is.

Source:

Soap Opera Digest: Metcalfe lands DALLAS gig
Deadline.com Dallas Reboot adds Jesse Metcalf and Julie Gonzalo

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Larry Hagman (JR Ewing) returns to TV in TNT's remake of Dallas Along with Patrick Duffy (Bobby Ewing) and Linda Gray (Sue Ellen Ewing)