I know that it is hard to imagine anyone other than Jane Wyman playing Angela - but if she never was cast in the part, who else do you think could have played Angela?

Barbara Stanwyck.

I had that same thought too - the only part I wondered about was if she would have been able to do the wry humor as much as Jane did.

Jane was excellent as Angela. It's hard to think of anyone else playing that role.

I had that same thought too - the only part I wondered about was if she would have been able to do the wry humor as much as Jane did.

I think so. Remember when she was in "The Lady Eve" with Henry Fonda and she said, "I need him like the axe needs the turkey"? Classic.

Jane was excellent as Angela. It's hard to think of anyone else playing that role.

Except for Doris Day, any actress from the "golden era" of Hollywood could have made "Angela Channing" her own. Mostly because, the majority of actresses from that period were used to working in high-gloss, emotionally wrought melodramas. (Don't get me wrong, though, Jane Wyman was literally the only thing that kept me interested at all in FC. Well, her and Ana-Alicia.)

Barbara Stanwyck probably would have preferred FC after her experience on The Colbys!!!!

This past Monday (May 18) was the 25th anniversary of the series finale of Falcon Crest. I found this clip of the last episode: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0HFmhBu7_0

Barbara Stanwyck.

Stanwyck was originally the one they wanted in the part of Angela - if you watch the original pilot episode it's clear they adjusted the role later to fit Jane Wyman more; in the pilot Angela has gray hair and is interested in horses (which supposedly was written into the character of Angela at that point due to Stanwyck's own interest in horses).

Edited July 6, 201510 yr by Paul Raven

Favorite has to be the Ana Alicia, Lorenzo and Jane trio, although that's not a bad photo of Kim Novak. I see Margaret Ladd ticked off the stylist ...

Finished watching the first season and I liked it. Angela Channing was hardcore and didn't give a care, which is what I liked about the character. Emma was probably my second favorite character after Angela. When she was dancing by herself outside the window when Chase was throwing a party, I was rolling. I also got a laugh out of her saying things to push Angela's buttons, like "how's tricks?"