Fictional character from the soap opera Knots Landing
Soap opera character
Abby Cunningham
Knots Landing character
Portrayed by
Donna Mills Cynthia Bain (flashbacks)
Duration
1980–89, 1993, 1997
First appearance
November 20, 1980 (Episode: Hitchhike, Part 1)
Last appearance
May 9, 1997 (Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac)
Created by
David Jacobs
In-universe information
Other names
Abby Cunningham Abby Ewing Abby Sumner
Occupation
Bookkeeper at Knots Landing Motors. Executive at:
Gary Ewing Enterprises
Apolune
Lotus Point
Morikame
Sumner Group
Treadwell Industries
Member of the California Planning Commission Board. U.S. Trade Representative to Japan.
Parents
William Fairgate
Siblings
Sid Fairgate Philip Fairgate
Spouse
Jeff Cunningham (until 1980) Gary Ewing (1983–87) Charles Scott (1988) Greg Sumner (1989)
Children
Olivia Cunningham Dyer Brian Cunningham
Stepchildren
Lucy Ewing Bobby Ewing II. Betsy Ewing Mary-Frances Sumner
Grandchildren
Unnamed grandchild (through Brian)[1]
Aunts and uncles
Roger Fairgate
Nieces and nephews
Annie Fairgate Diana Fairgate Roberts Eric Fairgate Michael Fairgate Paul Fairgate
Abby Fairgate (formerly Cunningham, Ewing and Sumner)[2] is a fictional character from the CBS prime time soap opera Knots Landing, a long-running serial about middle class life on the fictional cul-de-sac known as Seaview Circle in Los Angeles, California. She was played by actress Donna Mills between 1980 and 1989. Abby was created by producer David Jacobs as one of Knots Landing's earliest characters. She debuted in the first episode of the second season. Mills remained a principal actor in the series until she left in its tenth season. She returned for the two-part series finale in 1993, and made her last appearance in 1997 when she appeared in the reunion miniseries Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac.
Prior to being cast on Knots Landing, Mills was predominantly known for playing "damsel in distress" roles, which is why the producers didn't initially consider her. Abby's storylines focused on business dealings, affairs and family troubles. Introduced as the sister of Sid Fairgate, she was initially portrayed as a friendly, warm-hearted woman with great love for her children. In due time, she evolved into the series' main antagonist, constantly causing mayhem in others' lives. According to series creator David Jacobs, the producers always intended Abby to be a J.R. Ewing-esque character. Jacobs said, "When we were casting the role of Abby, we were looking for a homey type, someone whom the other women characters would trust. It was our intention to have this nice person gain the trust of the other women and then cause trouble for them. We didn't want the other characters and the audience to know that there was a scheming person under this nice facade. We wanted her to come on as a good person and then evolve into a vixen."[3]
The character became known for her manipulative behavior and was often labeled a "soap vixen". She was praised by television critics, with Carolyn McGuire of the Chicago Tribune saying: "Whoever shows up as the next villain, chances are his or her work won't be easy. That's because at least one resident—Abby Ewing—knows how to dish nasty with the best of them."[3] When asked which character he wished he had created, Mike Kelley, the creator of ABC's popular prime time soap opera Revenge, said: "Abby Ewing. Donna Mills, you rocked my world."[4] John Mapes of The Biography Channel said, "Any great soap opera needs a great villain. While viewers may identify more with the protagonist, the villains in a serial drama always spice things up, cause trouble, and make it more fun to watch."[5]
^Cite error: The named reference Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac: Part 2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^"Abigail Fairgate Cunningham Ewing Sumner". CBS. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
^ abCite error: The named reference TCT was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference MK was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference BC was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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Josh West Wes Tex Wheeler Jack Wilson William Zannis Jill Bennett AbbyCunningham Joshua Rush Greg Sumner Danny Waleska Garth Slater Zenin Alexio Mick...
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November 20 Donna Mills makes her first appearance as the villainous AbbyCunningham on the CBS prime time soap opera Knots Landing. November 21 The mystery...
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Sid's sister AbbyCunningham arrives in Knots Landing. Donna Mills (AbbyCunningham) is added to the opening credits. First appearances of Abby, Olivia and...
Gary has an affair with their neighbor, AbbyCunningham (Donna Mills), which Lilimae learns of (she witnesses Abby and Gary exiting a hotel after a sexual...
Dynasty's Alexis Carrington, Dallas' J. R. Ewing, or Knots Landing's AbbyCunningham. Catalina's unnatural devotion to her only son caused her to conceal...
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May 18 Donna Mills makes her final regular appearance as villainess AbbyCunningham on the CBS drama Knots Landing. May 20 Original Saturday Night Live...
affair with her boss, Scooter, while Richard started seeing neighbor AbbyCunningham (Donna Mills). As Laura's career grew, Richard's wilted and the marriage...
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