A warmhearted retrospective with ‘Big Valley’ cowgirl Linda Evans

Image Credit: AF Archive / Alamy / ABC Photo Archives

“Know your lines and show up on time.” In spite of a dreadful audition for director Arnold Laven on the set of the Sam Peckinpah scripted Glory Guys, Linda Evans persisted and won her breakout role as Audra Barkley on ABC’s The Big Valley. Greenlit in the wake of Bonanza’s ratings domination on a rival network, the 1965–1969 family western costarred future Six Million Dollar Man Lee Majors, four-time Oscar nominee Barbara Stanwyck, Richard Long, and Peter Breck. The INSP TV channel screens episodes daily. Meanwhile back at the ranch, Evans, who made a comeback as voice of reason Krystle Carrington on the ’80s soap staple Dynasty, permits an exclusive reminiscence coinciding with the 57th anniversary of Big Valley’s debut. Unbelievably, the guileless blonde horsewoman’s tenure on the series was almost thwarted when filmmaking husband John Derek demanded that she sacrifice her career for him.

Heath Barkley [Lee Majors], Audra Barkley [Linda Evans], Nick Barkley [Peter Breck], Victoria Barkley [Barbara Stanwyck], and Jarrod Barkley [Richard Long] stand at the bottom of a winding staircase. The still derives from the third season of “The Big Valley” and enjoyed a second life as the cover of a vintage German postcard. Image Credit: Flickr user “Truus, Bob & Jan too!” / ABC Photo Archives

The Linda Evans Interview

Seven months before The Big Valley premiered on ABC at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, September 15, 1965, with “Palms of Glory” you guest starred alongside Tim McIntire as a couple bound for California during Wagon Train’s…