J.R. Ewing Laid To Rest, But Legend To Live On In TNT’s Dallas

J.R. Ewing may have been laid to rest on Monday night’s “Dallas,” but don’t expect the legendary character, who was played by the late Larry Hagman, to become less important on the show.

“It’s not like the character is going to disappear,” over the weekend at the Paley Center, as he showed off the J.R. Ewing watch on loan from the Hagman Family as part of the WB Out of the Box exhibit. “The influence that the character of J.R. has on the show could run another 10 years.

“The character of J.R. was so omnipresent when Larry was alive, who knows what that character did without us knowing — if that’s going to pop up in year four, five and six,” Patrick added.

Jesse Metcalfe, who plays Patrick’s on-screen son, Christopher Ewing, said the death of the J.R. character creates big drama for the rest of Season 2.

“J.R.’s murder really sets in motion a lot of storylines that pay off in a very big way throughout the second half of the season, and especially in the season finale,” Jesse told Access, ahead of the “Dallas” PaleyFest event at the Saban Theatre on Saturday in Los Angeles.

As fans saw at the end of Monday night’s episode of “Dallas,” J.R. was working on two things when he was killed – looking for Christopher Ewing’s mother – Pamela Ewing, and working on taking down Ann Ewing’s ex-husband, Harris Ryland.

“J.R. was on to something pretty interesting,” “Dallas” Executive Producer Mike Robin told Access, when asked about the trail for Pam.

“Yes, he was on to something interesting have to do with Christopher’s mother that would help Christopher and the family,” Cynthia Cidre, Executive Producer of “Dallas,” added. “And hopefully, as with most things that we do, what you’re expecting is not going to happen and when we go left, we really go right. I just hope the fans enjoy all the twists and turns having to do with that story.”

Although there will be drama on the way, producers did confirm to Access the new “Who shot J.R.?” storyline will be concluded by the end of the season.

“Dallas” airs Monday nights at 9 on TNT.

— Jolie Lash