Dallas reboot: Linda Gray is still stunning at 71

Linda Gray outshone her younger new female co-stars during an appearance on The Today Show yesterday to promote the new Dallas reboot.

Linda Gray, 71, who will reprise her iconic Sue Ellen role in the forthcoming U.S. TNT series of the show, looked stunning in a floaty cream dress which showed off her toned legs.

Her skin looked flawless, with smoky eye make-up accentuating her bone structure.

Linda Gray joined fellow Dallas old-timers Patrick Duffy (Bobby Ewing) and Larry Hagman (J.R. Ewing) on the morning TV show to promote the series, which debuts this Wednesday in the U.S.

They were joined by five new cast members including Jesse Metcalfe who plays Bobby Ewing’s son Christopher and Josh Henderson who stars as J.R.’s offspring John Ross Ewing III.

According to Linda Gray, her character has “changed a lot” in the reboot, not least her fashion sense, since the original Dallas ended back in 1991.

“I love her right now,” she said of her character.

“I loved her then and I love her now. No shoulder pads for one, and her hair’s not looking as wild and crazy.”

Linda Gray revealed that the trio of old timers had all consulted each other before deciding to reprise their characters for the new show, which will focus on the younger members of the family.

“We all called each other,” said Linda Gray, after being asked if it was a group decision to make the comeback.

“People don’t remember that we’ve been friends for 35 years and we see each other all the time.

“So it wasn’t like we hadn’t seen each other for 20 years. This was friendships reigniting and we could work together again. That was the great part.”

Larry Hagman admitted Linda Gray had to persuade him to take part in the show, but “money” certainly played its part in his decision.

“It doesn’t last long, I’ll tell you that,” he laughed.

“It was strange getting back into the swing of things, but we all fitted into our characters in the end so it was nothing to worry about.”

Although the new series has largely been described as a “reboot”, Patrick Duffy, 63, said that the correct term for the new series should be a “continuation”.

Patrick Duffy said: “It’s like you didn’t tune in for 20 years and you were on the wrong channel. And if you turned to the right channel here we are. And everything is as it would be 20 years later. It’s a perfect continuation. We consider this year 14 of the show.”

The actor revealed that his first scene with Larry Hagman, whose character J.R starts out in a nursing home, was particularly meaningful for him.

“It was the first scene I did after not worked with him for 20 years – to go back into that room and to have that scene with Larry – It was a little poignant for me.

“Plus we had to do it about 20 times. We’ve got a little old. It really was the beginning of the new Dallas for me – to do that scene with him.”

And as for TV’s most famous oil magnate – apparently he’s even nastier than viewers remember him.

“He’s gotten meaner and he teaches his son to be mean too,” said Larry Hagman when asked by Today host Ann Curry if his character had “evolved”.

Josh Henderson, who plays J.R’s son John Ross Jr., said he had been so intimidated at filming his first scene with Larry Hagman, that he forgot his lines.

“They are big shoes to fill,” he said.

“I was a little nervous and intimidated to come into this show as it was a big deal around the world.

“The first scene was electrifying. His energy – when he steps on set – he literally consumes the room.”

Meanwhile, Jesse Metcalf admitted that he had initially been “skeptical” at the idea of bringing back “such an iconic” show.

“But once Larry and Linda and Patrick gave it their stamp of approval, I knew the script was probably on par,” he added.

“And after reading it, I thought, <<Wow this is such good storytelling>>.”

The actors were also joined today by Jordanna Brewster whose character Elena Ramos finds herself in the middle of a “love triangle” in the show, while Julie Gonzalo plays Rebecca Sutter who is engaged to Christopher.