Barnabas Collins is a fictional character from the gothic soap opera Dark Shadows, which originally aired from 1966 to 1971. He is portrayed as a vampire who awakens from a centuries-long slumber to find his family estate, Collinsport, in disarray. Barnabas struggles with his vampiric nature while trying to reconnect with his family and navigate the complexities of modern life. The character has been featured in various adaptations, including films and a 2012 movie directed by Tim Burton. Barnabas is known for his tragic backstory, romantic entanglements, and interactions with other supernatural beings, making him a central figure in the Dark Shadows universe.