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Jenna Wade
Jenna Wade
Jenna Wade
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Jenna Wade
Dallas character
Portrayed byMorgan Fairchild (1978)
Francine Tacker (1980)
Priscilla Presley (1983–88)
Duration1978, 1980, 1983–88
First appearanceOctober 7, 1978
Old Acquaintance
Last appearanceMay 13, 1988
The Fat Lady Singeth
Created byDavid Jacobs
In-universe information
Occupation
ParentsLucas Wade
SpouseRenaldo Marchetta (backstory; 1985)
Ray Krebbs (1987–)
ChildrenCharlotte "Charlie" Wade
Lucas Wade-Krebbs
StepchildrenMargaret Krebbs

Jenna Wade is a fictional character on the popular American television series Dallas, played, most notably, by Priscilla Presley from 1983 to 1988. Jenna was also briefly played by Morgan Fairchild in 1978 and Francine Tacker in 1980.

Casting

[edit]

The character of Jenna Wade was portrayed by Morgan Fairchild for one episode in 1978; Jenna was then portrayed by Francine Tacker for two episodes in 1980. When the character was brought back in 1983, the part was recast for the second time, this time with Jenna being portrayed by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley; she would be the third and final actress to portray the character. Before her debut, Priscilla Presley described the character: "Jenna is her own woman. She's extremely self-reliant, she has lived in Europe and has a child. Just like me. Except that she's a bit more sophisticated than me. She has a lot of integrity, she's totally honest. I like her. How could I help but identify with her?".[1]

Background

[edit]

Jenna was Bobby Ewing's childhood sweetheart. Jenna's father, Lucas Wade, was an oilman and associate of Jock Ewing. Jenna lived on her father's ranch, which was about three miles from Southfork. Bobby would often ride over to visit her as a kid. Years before Bobby met Pam, Jenna was engaged to Bobby but ditched him at the altar when she ran off to Italy and married Italian count Renaldo Marchetta. Jenna subsequently gave birth to a daughter, Charlotte (nicknamed "Charlie") and, for years, she never revealed who was Charlie's biological father.

Storylines

[edit]

Jenna (portrayed by Morgan Fairchild) reappeared in Bobby's life in 1978 when her affair with Maynard Anderson, a married politician and business associate of Jock and J.R. Ewing, ended and she needed a friend to turn to. Jenna introduced Bobby to her daughter Charlie; Bobby was then led to believe that he is the girl's father - however, Jenna denied this when confronted by Pam.[2] In 1980, Jenna (now portrayed by Francine Tacker) is still in Dallas and has an unexpected encounter with Bobby. They renew their friendship while Pam is away in Paris on business. During this brief time, Bobby is tempted to sleep with Jenna.[3] Bobby and Jenna (now portrayed by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley) reconnected for a third time in 1983, and they began seeing each other after Bobby's marriage to Pam ended. Bobby's brother J.R. always liked Jenna and was very supportive of her relationship with Bobby. Bobby again wanted to know who had fathered Jenna's daughter Charlie. After seeing Charlie's birth certificate (which named Bobby as Charlie's legal father), Jenna confessed that Renaldo Marchetta was actually Charlie's biological father and that she had listed Bobby as the legal father in order to protect her legal interests in future disputes with Marchetta over Charlie. Nonetheless, Jenna and Bobby got engaged in 1984; she once again jilted him on their wedding day to remarry Marchetta, but this time it was against her will and under threat. The pair were tracked down to a hotel where Marchetta was found shot dead, with Jenna holding the gun. She was accused of Marchetta's murder, but this was eventually resolved, and she once again became engaged to Bobby. Bobby broke off this third engagement with Jenna after deciding that he wanted to marry his ex-wife, Pam.

During the "Dream Season", after Bobby had died, Jenna had a brief relationship with Bobby's cousin Jack Ewing, but this was cut short as Jenna became mentally unstable due to Bobby's death. Later, Jenna received counseling to help her accept Bobby's death; she also ended her differences with Pam.

After the end of the "Dream Season", Jenna discovered that she was pregnant with Bobby's child; however, Bobby was now engaged to Pam. During Bobby and Pam's second wedding, Bobby's half-brother Ray Krebbs mentioned that Jenna was pregnant with Bobby's child. This caused problems between Ray and Bobby, especially after Jenna and Charlie moved in with Ray. In 1987, Jenna gave birth to Bobby's son, Lucas, named after her father. Jenna later married Ray, who adopted Lucas and raised him with Jenna despite Bobby being the father. The next year, after problems with the now-teenaged Charlie, Jenna escorted Charlie to Europe to attend boarding school. After returning to Dallas, she and Ray decided to relocate permanently to Switzerland to be away from the drama of the Ewings.

Dallas (2012 TV series)

[edit]

Since Ray's return to Dallas, there has been no mention of Jenna, Charlie or Bobby's son, Lucas.

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jenna Wade

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jenna Wade is a fictional character on the American prime time soap opera , which aired on from 1978 to 1991. Introduced as Bobby Ewing's first love and an old flame from his past, she serves as a recurring romantic rival to his wife , complicating the Ewing family's dynamics throughout the series. The role of Jenna was portrayed by multiple actresses over the years, reflecting the character's evolving presence in the narrative. originated the part in the 1978 episode "," depicting Jenna as a conniving ex-girlfriend who arrives with a young daughter to disrupt Bobby's marriage. took over in 1980 for two episodes, including "Jenna's Return," where she appeared as a self-confident magazine editor and single mother seeking to rekindle her connection with Bobby while Pam was away on business. assumed the role most prominently from 1983 to 1988, earning a 1984 Award for her portrayal of a more vulnerable Jenna, a down-on-her-luck waitress and single mother torn between love interests amid family drama. Jenna's storylines highlight themes of love, betrayal, and resilience within the Ewing orbit. She becomes engaged to Bobby multiple times, only for external threats—like her ex-husband Renaldo "Naldo" Marchetta, played by —to intervene, including a 1984-85 plot where she is arrested and sentenced to seven years in prison for Naldo's , a she did not commit. Later, she marries , Bobby's half-brother, and gives birth to their son Lucas, shifting her focus to family stability while occasionally intersecting with past romantic tensions. Her arc often serves as a foil to the Ewing brothers' conflicts, underscoring the show's exploration of loyalty and redemption in high society.

Casting and Portrayal

Actresses

portrayed Jenna Wade in her debut appearance during the second season of , specifically in the episode "," which aired on October 7, 1978. In this single episode, Fairchild established the character as Bobby Ewing's bold, flirtatious ex-girlfriend, embroiled in a scandal that drew Bobby's attention and created tension with his wife, Pam. took over the role for a brief return in the third season, appearing in two episodes: "Jenna's Return" on January 18, 1980, and "Sue Ellen's Choice" on February 1, 1980. Tacker presented a more subdued and neighborly version of Jenna, depicting her as an old friend returning to after personal hardships, seeking support from Bobby in a less dramatic manner than Fairchild's portrayal. Priscilla Presley became the primary actress for Jenna Wade, portraying the character from 1983 to 1988 across over 100 episodes. For her performance, Presley won the 1984 Award for New Actress in a . Under Presley, Jenna evolved into a self-reliant and elegant figure, reflecting the actress's own attraction to the role's emphasis on independence and European sophistication; prior to her debut, Presley noted that Jenna was "extremely self-reliant, has lived in and has a child," qualities she saw as making the character a strong . The transitions between actresses were handled through recasting without any in-universe explanations, maintaining narrative consistency by simply reintroducing after periods of absence, a common practice in soap operas to accommodate scheduling or creative needs—such as providing a new romantic interest for Bobby following changes in the show's dynamics.

Character Development

was created by David Jacobs for the original Dallas series, which aired from 1978 to 1991. The character's initial concept positioned her as Bobby Ewing's childhood sweetheart, serving as a foil to his wife Pam Barnes and introducing romantic tension within the Ewing family dynamics. This setup highlighted Jenna's past connection to Bobby, contrasting her vulnerable circumstances with Pam's established role, thereby enriching the show's exploration of loyalty and rivalry. Over the course of the series, Jenna's portrayal evolved through multiple recasts, transitioning from a transient love interest in early appearances to a recurring figure with greater depth, incorporating elements of family drama and personal independence. Initially played by in 1978 and in 1980, the character was reimagined with Presley's casting from 1983 to 1988, allowing for sustained narrative development. This evolution was influenced briefly by the actresses' interpretations, particularly Presley's poised performance, which added layers to the character's complexity.

Fictional Background

Origins and Family

Jenna Wade grew up on a in , located just a few miles from Southfork, the Ewing family estate. Her father, Lucas Wade, was an oilman with professional ties to , which brought the families into close proximity during her childhood. This environment fostered an early romance between Jenna and , who became childhood sweethearts and later got engaged before the series timeline. The engagement ended abruptly when Jenna left Bobby at the altar, opting instead to elope with Italian count Renaldo Marchetta and relocate to . There, she embraced a glamorous but turbulent lifestyle as an American , marrying Marchetta shortly after her arrival in . The couple had a daughter, Charlie, whose paternity was initially questioned— with implications that it might be Bobby's— but was ultimately confirmed to be Renaldo's through later revelations. Following her divorce from Marchetta, Jenna returned to with Charlie, settling back into a more grounded existence near her roots. Little additional detail is provided about her extended family, including any siblings, and her parents receive minimal elaboration beyond Lucas's role in the oil industry. Jenna's deep-rooted ties to the Ewings established her as an integral part of their world, serving as a to Pam Ewing's position as an external figure in the family's intricate relationships.

Personality and Traits

Jenna Wade is portrayed as a self-reliant and independent woman, shaped by her experiences living in , which lent her a worldly perspective in contrast to the more insular women of Southfork. According to descriptions from the time of her introduction, she possesses significant integrity and is entirely honest in her dealings. This core characterization positioned her as a strong female figure who actively advocated for her own rights and those of her loved ones throughout the series. Her emotional depth often manifested in loyalty to family and romantic partners, tempered by the lingering effects of past choices that created internal conflicts. Compared to more manipulative characters like , Jenna served as a grounded anchor in the Ewing family's romantic dynamics. Over time, her portrayal evolved from an initially flirtatious demeanor in early appearances to that of a resilient mother prioritizing stability and protection for her child.

Storylines

Early Appearances (1978–1980)

Jenna Wade made her debut on during the second season in the episode "," which aired on October 7, 1978. Portrayed by for this single appearance, Jenna reconnected with her former love upon arriving in Dallas, seeking his assistance for her young daughter Charlie while implying the child could be Bobby's. This revelation immediately ignited jealousy in Bobby's wife , straining their marriage and providing an opportunity for to exploit the situation by urging Jenna to pursue Bobby further. The episode highlighted Jenna's role as a disruptive figure from Bobby's past, though her stay was brief and unresolved. Jenna returned nearly a year and a half later in the third season, now portrayed by in a two-episode arc. In "Jenna's Return," aired on January 18, 1980, Bobby encountered at the airport as he saw Pam off on a business trip to , leading to an evening of reminiscing that left Bobby visibly tempted by their shared history amid ongoing marital friction with Pam. The following episode, "Sue Ellen's Choice," which aired on February 1, 1980, saw confront Pam directly about the state of her marriage to Bobby and attempt to seduce him, only for Bobby to rebuff her advances as he and Pam began reconciling. By the end, chose to depart once more, emphasizing the unresolved undercurrents of her connection to Bobby. Throughout these early episodic outings, Jenna functioned primarily as a catalyst for tension in Bobby and Pam's relationship, introducing romantic uncertainty without committing to a sustained presence on the series. Her appearances totaled just three episodes across 1978 and 1980, with no further on-screen involvement until 1983.

Extended Arc (1983–1988)

Jenna Wade returned to the Dallas area in late 1983, taking up residence near Southfork Ranch and resuming her romantic involvement with Bobby Ewing, her former fiancé. Working as a waitress at a local bar, she quickly rekindled their past connection, leading to a deepening relationship amid the Ewing family's ongoing dramas. Over the next few years, the couple became engaged multiple times, but external pressures—including family conflicts, business intrigues, and Bobby's divided loyalties—repeatedly derailed their plans, leaving Jenna jilted and emotionally strained. In 1985, Jenna's storyline intensified when she was implicated in the murder of her ex-husband, Renaldo Marchetta, a European businessman and father of her daughter Charlie. After Marchetta kidnapped Charlie and was later found shot dead in a Laredo with Jenna holding the gun, she was arrested and denied , sparking a high-profile legal battle. Bobby supported her throughout , investigating leads that ultimately revealed a hired killer, Walter Schumann, had murdered Marchetta on orders from Katherine to frame Jenna; she was exonerated after Schumann confessed, allowing her to regain custody of Charlie. This ordeal highlighted Jenna's resilience amid persistent threats from her complicated past. By 1987, following Bobby's reconciliation and remarriage to Pam Barnes Ewing, Jenna's romantic focus shifted toward , Bobby's half-brother and a longtime hand. That spring, she gave birth to Lucas, the son she conceived with Bobby during one of their engagements, naming him after her late father. Ray, who had grown close to Jenna during her trials, proposed of the infant, solidifying their bond. The couple married later that year in a at Southfork, with Bobby serving as best man, marking a resolution to Jenna's turbulent pursuit of stability. Jenna's extended arc concluded in the season 11 finale, as ongoing tensions at Southfork—exacerbated by family feuds and personal betrayals—prompted her and Ray to seek a fresh start. After forgiving Ray for earlier marital strains, Jenna convinced him to leave behind, and the family relocated to with Charlie and Lucas, departing in the episode "The Fat Lady Singeth" aired on May 13, 1988. This move symbolized the closure of Jenna's long-standing ties to the Ewings, transitioning her from Bobby's elusive love interest to Ray's devoted partner and mother.

Later References and Reception

Dallas (2012 TV series)

The Dallas revival series, airing on TNT from June 13, 2012, to September 22, 2014, across three seasons, did not include any on-screen appearances by Jenna Wade. The character was neither recast nor featured in the storyline, and original actress did not return to the role. The production emphasized conflicts among the next generation of Ewings, primarily (played by ) and (), while legacy characters like () served in supporting capacities to bridge the original series' history. This approach intentionally sidelined many peripheral figures from the 1978–1991 run, including Jenna, to prioritize fresh narratives centered on oil rivalries, family betrayals, and inheritance disputes among the younger Ewings. Jenna received no active role or significant development in the revival, with the series largely omitting references to her past relationships with Bobby or . Instead, the show highlighted unresolved elements from the original, such as 's schemes and the Ewing-Barnes feud, over reintroducing or expanding on characters like Jenna, thereby creating a gap in coverage of the broader Ewing .

Critical and Fan Reception

Priscilla Presley's portrayal of Jenna Wade from 1983 to 1988 was praised for infusing the character with elegance, class, and emotional depth, transforming a secondary romantic interest into a more nuanced figure amid the Ewing family dynamics. Critics and observers noted that Presley's performance added layers of resilience and poise, particularly in storylines involving personal hardships, which helped establish a lasting legacy for the character in television history. However, some critiques highlighted inconsistencies in Jenna's personality, portraying her as shifting from an independent woman to a more victimized role to serve plot needs, which rendered the character feeling hollow at times. This perceived lack of consistent depth compared to central figures like Pamela Ewing contributed to mixed evaluations of the character's development. Fan discussions often compare the actresses who played Jenna, with Morgan Fairchild's early depiction (1978) viewed as spunky and manipulative, Francine Tacker's interim version (1980) as approachable like the "girl next door," and Presley's as adequate yet softer and less dynamic. Debates persist among enthusiasts regarding romantic pairings, with some favoring Bobby Ewing's connection to Jenna over his marriage to Pam as a more authentic "what if" alternative. Jenna Wade embodies tropes of enduring romance and unresolved longing, serving as a symbol of the "one that got away" in the Ewing saga, though the ensemble-driven nature of limited in-depth critical analysis of her arc. Her cultural impact endures through fan nostalgia, particularly following the revival series, where her absence fueled discussions of untapped potential in the franchise's legacy. In April 2024, reunited with original cast members at The Hollywood Show, sharing memories of her time as Jenna Wade, highlighting the character's enduring appeal among fans.

References

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  2. https://dallasdecoder.com/2012/06/08/critique-dallas-episode-47-jennas-return/
  3. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/morgan-fairchild/credits/3030030926/
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  5. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/priscilla-presley/bio/3000729411/
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  10. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0553381/
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  23. https://www.tvmaze.com/characters/179680/dallas-jenna-wade
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  32. https://www.npr.org/2012/06/12/154750503/the-old-with-the-new-generations-clash-in-new-dallas
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  35. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/priscilla-presley-dallas-cast-spill-122958229.html
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