Valene Ewing, often called Val, is Gary Ewing's devoted and resilient wife and a co-lead of Knots Landing from its earliest episodes. A small-town woman who married into the formidable Ewing family, she follows Gary to California in search of a fresh start. Warm, sensitive, and determined, Valene becomes one of the series' most sympathetic and enduring characters.
Valene's storylines are among the most dramatic in the series. She endures a turbulent marriage with Gary marked by repeated separations and reconciliations, and she becomes a successful novelist, writing a thinly veiled account of the Ewing family. One of her most famous arcs involves the shocking abduction of her newborn twins, a long-running mystery that became a signature Knots Landing plot.
Throughout the show Valene grows from a vulnerable newcomer into a strong, independent woman who repeatedly reclaims her life after betrayal and loss. Her close friendship with Karen MacKenzie and her central, recurring romance with Gary anchor much of the series' emotional storytelling across its long run.
Valene Ewing is one of the central figures in Knots Landing, a drama/soap opera/melodrama series that aired on CBS from 1979–1993. Within the narrative of Knots Landing, Valene Ewing serves as a pivotal character whose decisions and relationships drive key story arcs throughout 1979–1992 (seasons 1–13), with a finale return. The character's journey has been central to many of the show's most memorable and discussed moments.
Portrayed by Joan Van Ark, Valene Ewing has become one of the most recognizable characters in modern television. Joan Van Ark's performance brings nuance and depth to the role, creating a character that resonates with audiences on both intellectual and emotional levels. Joan Van Ark's work has been recognized with 2 major awards, reflecting the critical acclaim their portrayal has received.
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? Frequently Asked Questions
Valene is married to Gary Ewing. Their on-and-off relationship, including multiple separations and remarriages, is one of the central romances of the series.
In one of the show's most famous plots, Valene's newborn twins are stolen and presumed dead, then secretly placed with another family, leading to a prolonged mystery before she is eventually reunited with them.
