Dynasty

Dynasty is an American prime time soap opera created by Richard and Esther Shapiro that aired on ABC from 1981 to 1989, centered on the wealthy Carrington family of Denver, oil magnate Blake Carrington, his wife Krystle and the escalating conflicts that follow the arrival of his vengeful former wife Alexis. Developed to compete with CBS's Dallas, the series struggled in its first season until the addition of Joan Collins as Alexis turned it into a top ten hit by the fall of 1982 and the number one rated show in America by 1985. It became famous for its lavish fashion, most notably shoulder pads, and for elaborate physical confrontations between its female leads, and is widely credited with reshaping how American television portrayed ambitious, powerful women in middle age.