Julia Hoffman
Dr Julia Hoffman is the name of a fictional character featured in the 1966–1971 ABC cult TV Gothic horror-soap opera Dark Shadows. Dr. Hoffman was the confidant of the vampire Barnabas Collins. The character was played by 1964 Academy Award nominee for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Grayson Hall.
Dr. Julia Hoffman's origin
Dr. Hoffman (originally spoken of as a brilliant male physician) was the Director of Wyndcliffe Sanitarium in Maine. She practiced general medicine, psychiatry and had a strong interest in blood research. She treated Maggie Evans after Barnabas Collins attempted to re-invent her as his lost love Josette DuPres. Dr. Hoffman, early in her treatment of Maggie Evans, realized elements of a supernatural nature were involved in the girl's mysterious ailment. Dr. Hoffman, posing as historian Miss Hoffman, visited Collinwood and finagled an invitation to stay and research the Collins family for a book. Dr. Hoffman's background was never fully developed on the series, the origins of her family or her life before Collinwood remained largely unknown. She studied medicine at the same university as Dr. Dave Woodard who regarded her as unorthodox but brilliant. And at some point at college, she chose a medical career over marriage.
Dr Hoffman evolved from an arrogant, antagonist, single-minded professional to a sympathetic, beloved character of the show, one of its heroines.
Dr. Hoffman and Barnabas Collins
Dr. Hoffman early on realized Barnabas Collins was a vampire, a mythic creature she had been seeking. Dr. Hoffman hoped to make medical history with experiments conducted on Barnabas Collins. Intrigued with the idea that he could escape his fate and become human again Barnabas agreed to the experiments but remained distrusting of the doctor. Their early relationship was filled with mistrust, arguments and Barnabas often trying to conquer Dr. Hoffman's independent manner by physical violence. During a violent argument, Barnabas attempted to strangle Julia and was confronted with the ghost of his dead sister Sarah Collins. Dr. Hoffman had turned to the spirit of the dead girl for protection. Sarah vowed to never visit Barnabas again until he became good.
Dr. Hoffman, originally skeptical of Barnabas and his motives began feeling sympathy for his situation after moonlight talks about his sister Sarah and his lost love Josette DuPres. Her scientific curiosity turned into a deep love which she never verbally acknowledged or openly expressed. Barnabas and Julia remained confidants and stalwart friends throughout the series but were never romantically involved.
At various times throughout the series run, Barnabas confessed to others how much Julia meant to him but he never declared himself to Julia. He defied the control of the Leviathians who ordered her death and vowed to destroy Angelique if she harmed Julia again after their sojourn in 1840. He stated "I am lost without her" during the 1840 storyline when she was missing and being attacked by Roxanne Drew and Angelique. Barnabas also vowed "never without you" when they were transported to 1995 and she urged him to leave her behind as her possession by Gerard Stiles made her dangerous to Barnabas.
Dr. Hoffman, from guest to permanent resident of Collinwood
Dr. Hoffman became a permanent resident of Collinwood with the Collins family and frequent visitor to the Old House where Barnabas resided. She became an integral part of the Collins family dispensing advice, medical expertise and often providing a sympathetic ear. Bits of dialog indicated (and sly inferences from the other actors) the opinion that the other family members presumed she was romantically involved with Barnabas though he often was interested in other, younger women.
While living at Collinwood, Julia proved invaluable to Barnabas and the Collins family in navigating and conquering their numerous challenges, mostly supernatural. She once expressed to Barnabas that she wanted to return to her life before she met him. She made this admission as she vowed to destroy Barnabas' evil wife the witch Angelique posing as Cassandra Collins. After Angelique was destroyed they both believed they could have normal lives.
Julia Hoffman's Trials on Dark Shadows
Julia Hoffman was twice attacked by vampires. The first vampire Tom Jennings was a local handyman turned into a vampire by Angelique Bouchard Collins. Barnabas destroyed Tom and in the course of that scare admitted to his servant Willie Loomis that Julia meant a great deal to him, more than he dared show. The second vampire attack against Julia was from Roxanne Drew in 1840. Angelique using the name Valerie Collins controlled the vampire Roxanne and set about destroying Julia because of the importance she held for Barnabas. Barnabas vowed to destroy Angelique if Julia was turned into a vampire or further harmed.
During other storylines Julia was kidnapped by zombies, held hostage by Count Petofi and was possessed by the ghostly spirit of Gerard Stiles who was actually controlled by the head of the evil warlock Judah Zachary.
Dr. Hoffman was seen as the outsider amidst the chaos who was the one who knew Barnabas' secret. Though other people knew at times, such as Carolyn Stoddard and Maggie Evans, Dr. Hoffman was the constant character traveling through time with Barnabas and protecting him.
Julia and Barnabas post-show
The last glimpse of the two characters showed them walking together out of Collinwood to attend a historical lecture in 1970. The show was cancelled in 1971 without resolving the fate of Barnabas Collins who was no longer a vampire after Angelique removed her curse in 1840. A TV Guide article written by head Dark Shadows writer, Sam Hall (writer) (husband of Grayson), indicated the vampiric curse would befall Barnabas again. Julia would attempt a cure and amidst that, members of Barnabas' family would uncover the truth about him. Roger Collins would die and Barnabas would become strangely ill. The illness would be traced to Adam, a character who's was physically tied to Barnabas. Julia would travel to Singapore to find Adam and treat him. There she would fall ill herself and nearly die. Barnabas, recovered from his illness, would find her in Singapore. As she lay ill, Barnabas at long last would declare his love for her and promise they would marry once she recovered. After their marriage, Barnabas fearing for Julia's safety, would never return to Collinwood remembering Angelique's curse that anyone he loved would die. Therefore, Barnabas and Julia would remain, together and away from Angelique's influence, in the Far East.
Medical Professional
During the course of the series, Dr. Hoffman pronounced various people 'dead' who were not. Once she pronounced Barnabas dead and buried him with Willie Loomis. She realized her mistake and asked Professor Eliot Stokes to help unbury him. Elizabeth Collins Stoddard was pronounced dead at Wyndcliffe and buried in the family mausoleum.
Dr. Hoffman often prescribed staggering doses of medication to various members of the family.
Dr. Hoffman continued as Director of Wyndcliffe during long time traveling sojourns in the 1897, 1840, 1995 and 1970 parallel time. At times, she housed various distraught Collinwood residents at the hospital for their safety including Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, Barnabas Collins and Willie Loomis.
Other appearances
In 1970, MGM released the movie House of Dark Shadows. The story centers on the releasing of Barnabas Collins from his coffin by Willie Loomis, his romance of Maggie Evans and betrayal by Dr. Hoffman. Unlike Hall's original portrayal of loyal Julia Hoffman in the show, Dr. Hoffman becomes jealous of Barnabas' romance with Maggie Evans. Also, unlike the show, Barnabas realizes Julia's feelings for him and apologizes for misleading her. However, Dr. Hoffman in her jealousy sabotages the experiment. Barnabas ages rapidly and runs to Julia for help. He comes upon her packing to flee Collinwood, and sensing her betrayal, strangles her. This was more in line of original storyline for the TV drama.
In the 1990 revival Dark Shadows NBC program Dr. Julia Hoffman was a blood research specialist. She was portrayed by actress Barbara Steele.
In the WB 2004 unaired pilot of Dark Shadows, actress Kelly Hu was cast. The producers acknowledged that Grayson Hall had left an indelible stamp on the character and they needed to take the character on an entirely different course.
The Johnny Depp-Tim Burton film announced for filming in 2010 will feature Helena Bonham Carter as Dr. Julia Hoffman.
In the Lara Parker novel, Dark Shadows: The Salem Branch, Dr. Hoffman is engaged to Barnabas whom she has recently cured of the curse of the vampire. He is uncertain about his now human life and marriage, and has an affair with a woman who very much resembles Angelique. Dr. Hoffman seems progressively undone by his inattention becoming pale and unkept. At the conclusion of the novel, it is revealed that while treating Barnabas she accidentally cross-contaminated herself with his blood and was also transforming into a vampire, hence her sullen appearance. She was treating herself and him. In the end they both embrace their lives as vampires and Julia is transformed into a beautiful eternal companion for Barnabas.
Original Fates of Dr. Hoffman and Barnabas Collins
It was originally scripted that Barnabas Collins would murder Dr. Hoffman and himself be destroyed as a vampire. However the two actors proved so popular the plans for the characters demise was dropped and both actors continued with the show until its cancellation in 1971.
Notes
Grayson Hall first appeared as Dr. Hoffman in episode #265 [1]. The character was mentioned in previous episodes by Dr. Dave Woodard. He referred to Dr. Julian Hoffman, a man. During casting, the producers decided casting a female would be more interesting. Though another actress was cast in the part, she withdrew before taping. Grayson Hall was cast the day before filming of episode #265 (June 15, 1967) and was the only actress to portray Dr. Hoffman during the original series run.
The evolution of Julia Hoffman's feelings of scientific curiosity to affection for the vampire Barnabas Collins was never scripted but developed by the actress as an internal motivation as she found Julia a boring character. The writers and producers of the show noted and utilized it in various storylines.
Relationships
- Barnabas Collins
- Angelique
- Victoria Winters
- Maggie Evans
- Sarah Collins
- Professor Eliot Stokes
- Quentin Collins
- Willie Loomis
- Tom Jennings
- Chris Jennings
- David Collins
References
- See Dark Shadows Episode List [2]
- See Grayson Hall: A Hard Act to Follow by R J Jamison (c) 2006 www.graysonhall.net
- See Barnabas and Co. by Craig Hamrick (c) 2003