Handyman Willie Loomis accidentally releases vampire Barnabas Collins from his chained coffin. Barnabas introduces himself to the Collins family as a distant relative from England and begins to romance beautiful new governess Victoria Winters. The town of Collinsport is soon terrorized by a series of deadly attacks.
After being attacked by Barnabas Collins, Daphne Collins dies and rises as a vampire. Dr. Julia Hoffman learns Barnabas' secret and offers to help cure him of his vampirism.
Dr. Julia Hoffman begins her experiments to help cure Barnabas Collins of his vampirism. Professor Michael Woodard threatens Barnabas' safety, as he attempts to uncover the identity of the vampire.
The mysterious child ghost of Sarah Collins appears to Victoria Winters, and leads her to a library in Collinwood's closed-off west wing, and gives her an old diary. Barnabas and his servant, Willie Loomis, are stunned when the evil apparition of the witch Angelique materializes from the fire in the fireplace.
Learning of Barnabas Collins' growing affection for Victoria Winters, a jealous Dr. Julia Hoffman decides to not yet fully cure Barnabas. Losing control, Barnabas attacks Carolyn Stoddard.
At the Collinwood costume party, Barnabas warns Dr. Julia Hoffman that he will have his revenge on her. When a seance is held to contact Sarah Collins' spirit, governess Victoria Winters vanishes and a strange woman appears in her place.
In 1991, the Collins family fears for Victoria Winters, knowing that she has been transported to the year 1790. In the eighteenth century, Victoria meets the residents of Collinwood.
In 1790, a jealous Angelique schemes to use her witchcraft to prevent the marriage of Barnabas Collins and Josette DuPres. In 1991, the Collinses learn the identify of the stranger from 1790.
In 1790, a grieving Josette DuPres bitterly accuses Barnabas Collins of killing her only true love. Abigail Collins enlists the aid of Reverend Trask to have Victoria Winters jailed for witchcraft.
In 1790, the Collins family mourns the apparent death of Barnabas Collins as they move into the new Collinwood mansion. After rising as a vampire, Barnabas attacks Josette DuPres.
In 1790, Victoria Winters' witchcraft trial begins, Angelique's spirit tries to stop Barnabas Collins from making Josette DuPres his vampire bride. In 1991, Angelique possesses Dr. Julia Hoffman.
In 1790, Barnabas' vampirism is discovered. Joshua A. Collins and lawyer Peter Bradford desperately try to save Victoria Winters from being hung as a witch. In 1991, Victoria's return from the past is jeopardized as Angelique's spirit now possessing Maggie Evans plots a murder.
WB Piliot: The plot focused on Victoria Winters arriving by train to Collinsport. She is welcomed by Mrs. Stoddard, but experiences strange and disturbing dreams upon her first night in the house. She meets David Collins, who is constantly plagued by memories of his mother. Meanwhile, Willie Loomis and his girlfriend go to the Collinsport crypt in search of a treasure and open Barnabas's coffin. In the process, she cuts her hand and some blood falls upon the desiccated corpse, reviving him. Barnabas drains the girlfriend and attacks Willie. He later attacks Carolyn, walking home from a romantic encounter with Joe Haskell on his boat. Barnabas Collins presents himself at Collinwood, and Victoria feels immediately drawn to him. He asks permission to restore the Old House, and although Roger cautions him against it, he is determined to proceed. David and Victoria visit the Old House and Barnabas shows Victoria a portrait of Josette DuPres, which greatly resembles her. This is in Josette's room, which had been walled up until now. Willie, now working for Barnabas, bears fang marks and cannot say enough about Barnabas. At night David wakes and goes into the wood, where he removes a dagger from the ground. What might be the spirit of Angelique is now apparently free. Meanwhile Dr. Julia Hoffman at the hospital confirms that Carolyn's wounds match those of the corpse of Willie's girlfriend, who washes up on shore completely drained of blood. Victoria goes to the hospital with Mrs. Stoddard to visit Carolyn, currently on life support. Carolyn, late at night, wakes and looks longingly out the hospital window, murmuring "Come back." When Victoria drives back to Collinwood she seemingly hits Angelique with her car. Angelique, who has crashed through the windscreen, and Victoria both scream.
