In March 1985, ABC announced that its rumored "Dynasty" spin-off had been greenlighted, to debut the following season. "The Colbys" would star John James as his "Dynasty" character Jeff Colby, with "General Hospital" actress Emma Samms as Fallon Carrington. In May 1985, ABC unveiled its fall 1985 schedule, which placed "The Colbys" into the Thursday 9 pm time slot, preceded by "The Fall Guy" and followed by "20/20". In June 1985, "Dynasty" co-creator Esther Shapiro approached Charlton Heston about the role of patriarch Jason Colby, the brother of "Dynasty" Cecil Colby (Lloyd Bochner). Doris Day was considered, and both Burt Lancaster and Katharine Hepburn reportedly turned down roles in the series. In early July 1985, it was reported that in addition to Heston, ABC was pursuing Barbara Stanwyck and Faye Dunaway for starring roles, as well as James Coburn to play Ben Carrington, the brother of "Dynasty" Blake Carrington (John Forsythe). On July 9, 1985, it was reported that "The Colbys" versions of "Dynasty" rivals Krystle Carrington (Linda Evans) and Alexis Colby (Joan Collins) were going to be called Anthea (later changed to Francesca) and Sable. Heston's casting was confirmed in July 1985, as producers were negotiating with Angie Dickinson to play his character's wife. Ultimately, Dunaway, Dickinson, Elizabeth Ashley, and Diana Rigg all turned down the role of Jason's wife Sable. In August 1985, producers cast British actress Stephanie Beacham, "a household name" in the UK who had starred in the title role of the ITV drama "Connie". Stanwyck and Maxwell Caulfield joined the cast in July 1985 as Jason's sister Constance and son Miles, with Stanwyck having a clause in her contract that she would not be required to do press interviews. That month, Elizabeth Taylor made a statement that she would not be appearing on "Dynasty" or "The Colbys", then or in the future. In August 1985, it was reported Heston would be paid $85,000 per episode and Stanwyck would be paid $75,000. The same month, Katharine Ross was cast as Francesca. In September 1985, it was reported that Ricardo Montalban would appear as a "conniving shipping tycoon" described as "ambitious and scheming, but with a kind of charm that can allow him to get away with almost anything."