Abby Cunningham

Abby Cunningham
Knots Landing character
Portrayed by	Donna Mills Cynthia Bain (flashbacks)
Duration	1980–89, 1993, 1997
First appearance	November 20, 1980 (Episode: Hitchhike, Part 1)
Last appearance	May 9, 1997 (Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac)
Created by	David Jacobs
In-universe information Other names Abby Cunningham Abby Ewing Abby Sumner Occupation Bookkeeper at Knots Landing Motors. Executive at: Gary Ewing Enterprises Apolune Lotus Point Morikame Sumner Group Treadwell Industries Member of the California Planning Commission Board. U.S. Trade Representative to Japan. Parents William Fairgate Siblings Sid Fairgate Philip Fairgate Spouse Jeff Cunningham (until 1980) Gary Ewing (1983–87) Charles Scott (1988) Greg Sumner (1989) Children Olivia Cunningham Dyer Brian Cunningham Stepchildren Lucy Ewing Bobby Ewing II. Betsy Ewing Mary-Frances Sumner Grandchildren Unnamed grandchild (through Brian)[1] Aunts and uncles Roger Fairgate Nieces and nephews Annie Fairgate Diana Fairgate Roberts Eric Fairgate Michael Fairgate Paul Fairgate

Abby Fairgate (formerly Cunningham, Ewing and Sumner)^[2] is a fictional character from the CBS prime time soap opera Knots Landing, a long-running serial about middle class life on the fictional cul-de-sac known as Seaview Circle in Los Angeles, California. She was played by actress Donna Mills between 1980 and 1989. Abby was created by producer David Jacobs as one of Knots Landing's earliest characters. She debuted in the first episode of the second season. Mills remained a principal actor in the series until she left in its tenth season. She returned for the two-part series finale in 1993, and made her last appearance in 1997 when she appeared in the reunion miniseries Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac.

Prior to being cast on Knots Landing, Mills was predominantly known for playing "damsel in distress" roles, which is why the producers didn't initially consider her. Abby's storylines focused on business dealings, affairs and family troubles. Introduced as the sister of Sid Fairgate, she was initially portrayed as a friendly, warm-hearted woman with great love for her children. In due time, she evolved into the series' main antagonist, constantly causing mayhem in others' lives. According to series creator David Jacobs, the producers always intended Abby to be a J.R. Ewing-esque character. Jacobs said, "When we were casting the role of Abby, we were looking for a homey type, someone whom the other women characters would trust. It was our intention to have this nice person gain the trust of the other women and then cause trouble for them. We didn't want the other characters and the audience to know that there was a scheming person under this nice facade. We wanted her to come on as a good person and then evolve into a vixen."^[3]

The character became known for her manipulative behavior and was often labeled a "soap vixen". She was praised by television critics, with Carolyn McGuire of the Chicago Tribune saying: "Whoever shows up as the next villain, chances are his or her work won't be easy. That's because at least one resident—Abby Ewing—knows how to dish nasty with the best of them."^[3] When asked which character he wished he had created, Mike Kelley, the creator of ABC's popular prime time soap opera Revenge, said: "Abby Ewing. Donna Mills, you rocked my world."^[4] John Mapes of The Biography Channel said, "Any great soap opera needs a great villain. While viewers may identify more with the protagonist, the villains in a serial drama always spice things up, cause trouble, and make it more fun to watch."^[5]