Morgan Fairchild Reveals Why She Turned Down a Bigger Role on Dallas

Morgan Fairchild has revealed why she declined a larger role on the hit primetime soap Dallas—a decision she now views with a touch of humor.

Speaking to Remind Magazine, the actress said she was offered a full-time role after Flamingo Road was canceled in 1982. Instead, she chose to pursue a development deal for her own television series, where she would also serve as a producer.

“At that point, Dallas had been on for like seven or eight years,” Fairchild said. “In your mind you’re thinking, do I get to be a producer of my own show or go into a show that maybe it’s going to run another year or two?” She added with a laugh, “Who knew it was going to go on forever?”

Although her own project ultimately never moved forward, Fairchild said there was no way to predict Dallas would continue its remarkable run. The iconic drama aired for 14 seasons from 1978 to 1991. Fairchild appeared as Jenna Wade in one episode in 1978 before the role was later played by Francine Tacker and, most notably, Priscilla Presley.

Fairchild also looked back fondly on her time starring in Flamingo Road, saying she felt “so lucky” to work alongside veteran actors Howard Duff, Barbara Rush and Stella Stevens. She recalled admiring Stevens as a child and said it was a privilege to share the screen with performers she had grown up watching.