Amanda Harris

Amanda Harris
Production Information
Portrayed by	Donna McKechnie
First appearance	812
Last appearance	934
Episode count	23
Audio appearances	The Eternal Actress The Darkest Shadow
Biographical Information
Name	Amanda Harris
Also known as	Olivia Corey Helvetica Stanhope
Age	2 (1897) 55 (1950) 74 (at time of death)
Date of birth	March 11, 1895
Year of death	January 20, 1970
Manner of death	Crushed by falling rocks
Origin	Artificially created human
Profession	Actress
Supernatural abilities	Immortality
We have 5 images of Dark Shadows Amanda Harris

Portrait of Amanda Harris by Charles Delaware Tate

Amanda Harris aka Olivia Corey (March 11, 1895 - January 20, 1970) was a woman created by Charles Delaware Tate. She later became a famous stage actress. She was the true love of Quentin Collins.

"All I wanted to do was to paint someone who would reflect my

own ideal of what a woman was... I was motivated by something

really beautiful."

- Charles Delaware Tate

Arrival at Collinsport

Amanda was created when Charles Delaware Tate first painted a portrait of his ideal woman in 1895. Unawares, Tate had been given the power to create things with his paintbrush. Amanda was first discovered in New York in March of 1895 - fully grown, with no memory. She first arrived in Collinsport as the lover of Tim Shaw. Shaw eventually lost interest in her, and when Tate became aware of her existence, he pursued her for his bride. Amanda did not return his affection and refused his offer of marriage. (848) Tate never got over her.

Quentin Collins

As Shaw's interest in her waned, Amanda met and fell in love with Quentin Collins. Despairing over his loss, Amanda made a deal with Death: she would retain her youth and beauty until such time as Quentin could find her and recognize her. In later years she became a celebrated actress and adopted the name Olivia Corey. When questioned about her appearance by Julia Hoffman, she claimed to be the granddaughter of Amanda Harris.

Olivia Corey in 1970

She was brought back to Charles Delaware Tate's side, shortly before his death. He lived to be nearly a hundred years old, and declared he still loved her as he died in her arms. Although she had never completely returned his affection, she truly mourned the death of her creator.

Amanda was finally reunited with Quentin in the 20th century, but he was suffering from amnesia at the time and did not recognize her. She lost her chance to be with him when Death came. Quentin pursued her beyond the grave - and he was also given a chance: if they could make it through the other side without touching, they could both live. However they joined hands once and Amanda was lost to him forever.

Donna McKechnie returned to the role of Amanda Harris/Olivia Corey in the Big Finish audio drama The Eternal Actress.

After her reunion with Quentin and subsequent death, Amanda's post-1897 life was forgotten leaving no trace of her having lived beyond her time (935).

Source Material

Amanda Harris was partly based on Galatea from the legend of Pygmalion, and Sibyl Vane from Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Appearances

812, 813, 820, 822, 832, 833, 840, 842, 843, 847, 848, 850, 884, 896, 903, 909, 910, 916, 922, 923, 931, 932, 933, 934