Who shot JR... the sequel: Dallas star Larry Hagman will be at the centre of a posthumous storyline

Dallas star Larry Hagman will be at the centre of another ‘Who shot JR?’ mystery as he is written out of the TV series following the actor’s death.
In a repeat of the 1980 cliffhanger that left millions guessing who gunned down the Texan oil baron, JR Ewing will once again be shot. This time, the character will not survive.
Hagman died from complications from acute myeloid leukaemia in November, aged 81.

 

Larry Hagman, who died in November, will be written out of the show in a new Who Shot JR mystery

He had already filmed five episodes of the latest series of Dallas, shown in Britain on Channel 5.
Show bosses consulted with his long-time colleagues Patrick Duffy (who plays his brother Bobby) and Linda Gray (JR’s wife Sue Ellen) before deciding on the plotline.

 

Other stars from the original Dallas will take part in the episode, including Ken Kercheval who played his bitter rival Cliff Barnes and Charlene Tilton who was his daughter Lucy Ewing.
Producer Cynthia Cidre said: ‘We all felt having JR die of natural causes would have been completely inappropriate, not only to the character, but also to Larry Hagman.’
As with the 1980 shooting, the drama will be played out over several episodes of Dallas which was relaunched last June to critical success.

 

Fellow cast members Linda Gray and Patrick Duffy, right, were consulted about the plotline

Producers are not saying who is responsible for killing JR with the motives for several suspects to be explored over several episodes.
The original 'Who Shot JR Ewing' was one of the most watched TV episodes in history when it was screened in November 1980.
More than 83 million people tuning in to find out the answer.
JR survived the shooting and his attacker was revealed to be his sister-in-law Kristin Shepard played by Mary Crosbie, the niece of crooner Bing Crosby.
Patrick Duffy, a close friend of the actor for over 25 years, said he was happy Hagman was being given a send off in keeping with his character.
'I’m sure a lots going to surface that JR’s done that none of us ever knew about. And that will always bring back the image.'