However, John Ross's underhanded tactics and constant badgering about his not being a blood Ewing leads to Christopher making questionable choices.

[4] TV Guide likened the character to Al Gore due to his interest in green energy.

After high school, Christopher sees himself settling down to marry his childhood sweetheart, Elena Ramos, the Ewing maid's daughter, but that does not happen.

[7] The unknown child actors were replaced by Eric Farlow in 1982, when the character made an appearance on the series spin-off, Knots Landing.

With announcement of the continuation series, the producers put out several casting calls, including one for the role of Christopher.

While filming the NBC series, Chase, Metcalfe's agent contacted him urged him to audition for the continuation of Dallas.

[4] Metcalfe admitted that his hesitation also stemmed from his belief that the series was just "another prime-time soap opera to me, it wasn't somewhere I wanted to go."

[15][16] It was not until he learned that original cast members Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy, and Linda Gray had signed on to play the characters of J.R., Bobby and Sue Ellen, that Metcalfe gladly accepted the role of Christopher.

Christopher is trying to find his place in the Ewing family hierarchy, and live up to his father--which is a tall order, because Bobby is so well respected.

Metcalfe agreed with Curt Wagner's observation of Christopher as wanting to live up the standard set by Bobby, but being more of a realist, and knowing that good guys usually finish last.

When Kristin drowns in the Southfork pool, Jeff Farraday contacts Bobby Ewing, who secretly purchases Christopher for $25,000.

After Bobby finds Jeff murdered, he and Pam travel to California to investigate the details of Kristin's life before returning to Dallas.

[6] Christopher is overjoyed when his parents remarry in 1986 and move back to Southfork Ranch, where he is reunited with his cousin, John Ross.

Christopher's life is turned upside down when Pamela has a bad car accident; when Bobby keeps him away from the hospital, the boy believes it is because he is adopted.

Soon after, Pamela disappears from the hospital, leaving a note for Bobby that claims she doesn't want anyone to see how badly burned she actually is.

Christopher is bitter and angry when Pamela requests a divorce; later, he's forced into the middle of a custody battle between Bobby and Lisa Alden, Jeff Farraday's sister.

[6] In 1989, Christopher and John Ross discuss J.R.'s new wife, Cally, and conclude that they've done all right despite not having their mothers around; they also agree that all women cause trouble.

[6] In the 2012 continuation of the television series, a grown-up Christopher (now portrayed by Jesse Metcalfe) takes after Bobby and concerns himself with the welfare of the land and environment.

[6] Christopher is looking into alternative energy sources such as methane ice, which could cause some problems since the family has been in the oil business for decades.

In the final episode of the series in 2014, a man who appeared to be Christopher (but only seen from the back) was seen getting into a car that then exploded moments later.

It is possible that a car bomb was planted on the orders of Elena's lover Nicolas Treviño, but the cliffhanger was never resolved.

Brenda Strong, who played Christopher's stepmother, Ann Ewing, praised the actor's performance in the filming of the pilot, noting how much he had improved since his role on Desperate Housewives.