Victoria Principal on the ‘Dallas’ Episode That Sparked ‘Fury’ Before She Saw It as ‘an Act of Courage’ (Exclusive)

Victoria Principal had countless memories while acting Dallas — but there is one particular episode she worked on that stands out among the rest.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the 73-year-old actress, who played Pamela Ewing in the series, shared which episode of her favorite soap opera is her favorite.

“I continued to love working further Dallas for many years, but one particular episode stands out in my heart: ‘Mastectomy,’ a two-part episode,” she said, recalling working with her late co-star Barbara Bel Geddes and the special bond they fostered on the show.

Noting that their relationship involved squeezing “cheeks” and adoring household names like “little monkey face”, Principal revealed that Geddes shared “deeply personal elements of her life”, including the death of her husband and a double mastectomy following a breast cancer diagnosis.

Victoria Principal (left) and Barbara Bel Geddes from ‘Dallas’.

Getty (2)

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“I first read the script for ‘Mastectomy’ and my response was furious,” she explained. “I mistakenly thought that the producers and writers had robbed Barbara of her personal story. I went to Barbara about it and she assured me that she was part of the decision and even participated in certain aspects of the story and the writing.”

The director continued: “Her bravery and willingness to publicly shed light on a subject that lived in the shadows at the time was an act of bravery that gave me a greater insight into Barbara’s strength of character.”

“She was my hero,” she added. “And these two episodes are ‘diamonds’ Dallas.’ And that’s why she won that Emmy!”

Bel Geddes, who played matriarch Miss Ellie Ewing on the soap opera, died in August 2005 of lung cancer. She was 82 years old.

Patrick Duffy, Victoria Principal, Barbara Bel Geddes, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Jim Davis and Charlene Tilton on the set of ‘Dallas’.

CBS/Courtesy of the Everett Collection

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During her interview with PEOPLE, the principal also shared how she “always believed in it Dallas would be a hit” even though the series began as a “slow build”.

“The a-ha moment for me happened in the early 1980s,” she said when she realized his influence. “It was my day off on Saturday morning and I decided to drive to Fox Hills Mall for a furniture sale, specifically a new couch for my room. I drove to Fox Hills and pulled up to a furniture store.”

The actress recalled how “the situation quickly became unmanageable when people started crowding the store after she was spotted.”

Victoria Principal on ‘Dallas’. Everett Why Dallas star Charlene Tilton never thought she was pretty: ‘I couldn’t wait to get old’

“The quick-witted store manager locked us both in his office and called the police,” she said. “They came, dispersed the crowd and escorted me to the car. Everyone in the crowd was clamoring for an autograph and calling me ‘Pam’.”

“The policeman also asked for autographs and shared their enthusiasm for the show,” she added. “I drove home with a new, deep awareness of the popularity of Dallas and the recognition of its characters – and without that new sofa!”

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All 13 original seasons Dallas can be streamed on Amazon Freevee.

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Source: HIS Education