| Joseph Anders | |
|---|---|
 Lee Bergere (photo shoot for season 2) | |
| Series information | |
| Series | Dynasty |
| First appearance | "Oil" (1981) |
| Last appearance | "The Bungalow" (1983) |
| Portrayed by | Lee Bergere |
| Relationships | |
|
Married to |
Alicia Rowan |
| Family links | |
|
Children |
Sean Rowan |
| Occupation | |
|
Present |
N/A (†) |
|
Past |
Majordomo of the Carrington Mansion |
Handpicked by Alexis Carrington to head her household, Joseph Arlington Anders was part of the Carringtons' lives for as long as they have occupied their mansion. Joseph was a part of the Carringtons, but he wasn't a part of them, either. For example, he was Blake's toughest opponent at billiards, but he was still his servant, his major-domo. He was also initally very cold towards Blake's new wife, Krystle, but over time, they both grew to respect each other and he treated her much more kindly.
Joseph was married to Alicia Rowan, and they had three children: Sean, Victoria, and Kirby. Joseph owned a home in Denver, but with Sean and Victoria grown, and Kirby studying in the Sorbonne, he moved into the Carrington mansion.
Joseph took his duties with great seriousness. Joseph was privy to all the Carrington secrets. So much so, that he was rewarded a life-long position with the Carringtons for his silence. When Blake exiled Alexis from Denver, Joseph followed his former mistress through the many tabloid reports of her affairs with such men as Rashid Ahmed, King Galen, and Zach Powers. He dreaded the day should Alexis return, for as many secrets as he knew about her, she knew one just as just dangerous about him.
Alexis did return in 1981, and reminded Joseph she held a trump card. Things became more convoluted for Joseph when Kirby returned. Although he was happy to see her, he was displeased when she became involved with Jeff Colby. Jeff and Kirby’s love blossomed and they were soon wed. Joseph was now in the odd position of being servant to his own daughter, a predicament Kirby never considered.
Alexis' continuing harassment sent Joseph over the edge, and he trapped her in a cabin and then set fire to it in order to keep her quiet. He would do anything to protect Kirby from the truth about her mother (who was a murdering adultress). In the end, Joseph was out of control, and could bear no more. In 1983, he committed suicide in his home, dying in Blake's arms.
Season one[]
Denver oil tycoon Blake Carrington introduces his fiancée—and former secretary—Krystle to the household in "Oil". Longtime Carrington majordomo Joseph is staunchly loyal to Blake, and immediately dislikes Krystle, to whom he is dismissive until reproached by Blake's son, Steven. In "The Honeymoon", Krystle is having problems adjusting to life as a wealthy woman, made especially challenging by the imperious Joseph. Krystle rises to the challenge.
Season two[]
Joseph displays a deep loathing for Blake's first wife Alexis, who has returned to Denver after being exiled by Blake years before. Blake loses his sight in a car bombing; his vision returns in "The Hearing", but he hides his recovery from everyone except Joseph.
Season three[]
In "Mark", Joseph wants to quit his job at the mansion to help his daughter, Kirby, in France. She comes to Denver instead in "Kirby", and in "Acapulco" Joseph warns Kirby away from Jeff Colby, who is married to Blake's daughter Fallon. Joseph then warns Jeff away from Kirby in "The Locket". Jeff and Fallon divorce, and Jeff marries Kirby in Reno, Nevada in "Fathers and Sons". Joseph is angry to learn of the marriage in "The Downstairs Bride". Kirby is pregnant, and Alexis threatens Joseph that she will tell Kirby "the truth" about her mother in "The Threat". In the season three finale "The Cabin", Krystle and Alexis are trapped in a cabin, which someone sets on fire.
Season four[]
Krystle and Alexis survive. In "The Bungalow", someone tries to kill Alexis in the hospital, and Joseph kills himself by way of a self-inflicted gunshot. In "The Note", Blake and Jeff find a note in which Joseph confesses to setting the cabin fire to kill Alexis.
Photo Gallery[]
