Will Dynasty experience the Riverdale effect after Netflix release?

Will the CW be rewarded with new Dynasty fans next season? Could curious viewers spend a summer binging on Dynasty Season 1 now that it’s on Netflix?

Last fall, Riverdale unexpectedly experienced astounding season 2 premiere numbers. Vuture reported that the CW show benefited from new viewers streaming it on Netflix.

Riverdale’s season 2 success from Netflix could work for Dynasty

The publication believes that Netflix was the key to getting a huge turnout for the premiere of the second season. Although they did point out that Riverdale also switched from Thursdays, where it was previously competing with top shows like the Big Bang Theory, to Wednesdays, they still contend the biggest season 2 increase was due to Netflix.

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Although Dynasty CW is remaining on Friday evenings, at the exact same time, there is no anticipated viewership due to this factor. Usually, when a show returns for a second season, viewership generally drops.

Yet, in mid May, the entire first season of the entertaining 80s reboot was dropped on Netflix about a week after the season finale cliffhanger. There is now plenty of time for potential viewers to binge and get hooked on the sumptuous Dynasty reboot.

Last fall, there may have been reboot weary fans that didn’t want to invest in a recycled 80s show, but they certainly now realize that they are missing the party of the year. A Netflix binge of the first 22 episodes before season 2 returns could certainly beef up fall premiere ratings.

Dynasty’s slower start

One of the reasons that Dynasty may have started out out as strongly as execs at CW expected  was perhaps the lack of recognizable stars attached to this project.

Although Grant Show, who is best known for Melrose Place, and the exceptionally talented Alan Dale, who is most remembered for his stint on Josh Schwartz’s The OC, as well as Ugly Betty are the two best known names.

Yet, the other Dynasty leads, although remarkably talented and beautiful, are not necessarily well known.

This is quite unlike when the original Dynasty premiered with John Forsythe, Linda Evans and Joan Collins starring.  Putting the trio together created an 80s dream team with built-in fandom.  They were all very well known actors, and the ABC nighttime soap was soon number one.

If you want to make yet another comparison to Riverdale, stars like 90210’s own heartthrob Luke Perry, and the most iconic 80s teen star, Molly Ringwald certainly piqued interest in the show, and could have lured in devoted fans. And who doesn’t want to see Skeet Ulrich in another series?

The biggest gamble for Riverdale was bringing in Mark Consuelos, the nicest guy around, to play the shady Hiram Lodge, and it has really made the show even better.

Dynasty CW went out of the way to make sure that the cast was diverse, unlike the original Dynasty. This has meant that there are some talented actors on the reboot, but they are not yet well known.

But the Dynasty producers also seem to understand that they need a bit of star power and seemed to achieve this with their midseason addition.

Nicollette Sheridan as Alexis Carrington

When former Desperate Housewives star Nicollette Sheridan joined the show to portray the deceitful Alexis Carrington, suddenly Dynasty CW did get some positive buzz, even from the biggest skeptics.

Sheridan is well known for her quirky brand of humor and her ability to play complex, mean characters with sympathetic depth. She has taken the role of Alexis and really made it her own, complete with sexy, tongue-in-cheek 80s spin.

Dynasty season 2 will bring in at least two new characters, including Kirby, Anders’ estranged daughter who is diabolically jealous of Fallon, and Dominick Deveraux, Blake’s half-sister and mom to the Colbys.

If these two roles are well cast, this could become a game changer for the second season of the CW show.

Dynasty CW is more than a reboot

Anyone who has watched Dynasty season1 knows that this show is more than a reboot. Wrapped up in the glamour sandwich includes a lot of issues that concern people now, including the environment, corporate responsibility and making the world a better future.

Granted, Dynasty is hardly altruistic, but behind the sumptuous sets, stunning fashion and delectable meals is a show with wit, and stimulating political dialogue that adds another layer of fun to a show that deserves a chance.

Next: What we know about Dynasty season 2

The producers at Dynasty CW certainly believe that potential viewers that were perhaps on the fence last fall, may now decide to start watching now that the deliciously revamped 80s show is on Netflix. They may even hope that these same viewers will watch the show live when it returns in October.

Do you think that  Dynasty will experience that same Riverdale effect now that it it is streaming on Netflix? Are you planning on binging on Dynasty CW now that it is on Netflix? Please share your opinions below.