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.

Introduced as the sister of Sid Fairgate, she was initially portrayed as a friendly, warm-hearted woman with great love for her children.

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.

"[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.

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.

[6] Prior to being cast in Knots Landing, Mills was primarily known for playing the "damsel in distress" archetype in both film and television media.

[8] In the early planning stages of season two, CBS executive Tony Barch suggested Mills for the role of Abby Cunningham.

[14] He added, "It was your character that influenced all these unhappy women today who have jobs and are out there working hard, trying to raise kids by themselves, going crazy.

"[14] Mark Harris of Entertainment Weekly said, "Michelle Phillips is the last of prime-time's great schemers, an essential element of the show since the departure of Donna Mills, whose Abby Cunningham was Knots' resident harpy for years.

"[18] Mike Celizic of NBC said that her character was "the archetypal predatory female", while Meredith Vieira said "even the bad girl could show a tender side every once in a while", in reference to her daughter's on-screen drug addiction.

Mills became known for wearing a lot of eye makeup in her scenes, to the point where it became a major character trait for her fictional personality.

Abby Cunningham Ewing was the conniving, bed hopping blonde beauty on the Dallas spin-off Knots Landing.

In an interview with Carolyn McGuire of the Chicago Tribune, 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.

"[3] Author June L. May of Monsters and Critics said, "In season two of Knots Landing, a catalyst moves into the neighborhood in the form of Sid’s sister, the drop dead gorgeous Abby Cunningham.

Actress Joan Van Ark, who played Val, said: "I went in way early, whenever Donna Mills came on the show, and told David Jacobs that it made total sense that Gary would fall for Abby.

"[24] Dan Lewis of the Sarasota Journal said, "In a recent episode, Abby lures Gary Ewing into an affair, and sets it up so that his wife will discover it.

Carole Glinez said, "Mills' character faced her rival Paige, played by future Desperate Housewives sexpot Nicollette Sheridan.

[26] They move to San Luis Obispo, California, and have two children, Olivia (Tonya Crowe) and Brian (Bobby Jacoby/Brian Austin Green).

[23] Abby soon sets her eyes on neighbor Gary Ewing (Ted Shackelford), which becomes obvious after she starts working as a bookkeeper for Knots Landing Motors.

[36] Abby is in love again, but then finds out that Charles is the front for a group of thugs wanting to build a marina at Lotus Point for drug trafficking.

Abby goes after a political appointment that Greg wants, and leaves Knots Landing to be a trade representative in Japan.

Carolyn McGuire of the Chicago Tribune commented, "Whoever shows up as the next villain, chances are his or her work won't be easy.

"[3] When asked which character he wished he had created, Mike Kelly, the creator of ABC's popular primetime soap Revenge, said: "Abby Ewing.

I much preferred the more subdued, methodical villainy of characters like Abby Fairgate (Donna Mills), who slept her way through Seaview Circle, and to the top of Corporate California on Knots Landing.

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.

From tongue lashings to catfights, underhanded tricks to boldface lies, the characters we love to hate have each brought a fair share of great moments to primetime soaps.

He said, "No one, absolutely no one, rocked eye shadow and the messy-hair look like Abby Ewing, who was this marvelous combination of vixen and corporate sleuth.

As her character developed, life on the cul-de-sac made Knots Landing destination TV every Thursday night for more than a decade.

"[42] Marta Hoelsher of Technorati Media said: "The biggest news of season two, though, is the appearance of Donna Mills as Abby Cunningham, the blonde bombshell who wreaks havoc all through the neighborhood.

Played to perfection by Donna Mills, Abby is wicked, vicious, bitchy, and heartless enough to keep us loving and hating her for years.