I'm not a fan of all those teenage shows but aren't the actors who portray them in their 20's? For instance, "That '70's Show" has a bunch of 20 somethings portraying teenagers. I believe "Dawson's Creek" was the same. My point is this, when we think about it the original "Dark Shadows" had a several actresses barely out of their teens when they began appearing on the show. To name a few: Kate Jackson, KLS, Alexandra Moltke, Nancy Barrett, Donna Wandry, Lara Parker. These women were younger when they began appearing on "Dark Shadows" than some of those actresses who appeared on "Dawson's Creek" and the like. I don't understand all the fuss if this show has actors and actresses in their 20's just like the original did. Several of the men were in their 20's when they appeared on DS: David Selby, Roger Davis, Christopher Pennock, Don Briscoe.
As for the age of Barnabas, I disagree that he has to be at least 32. All of his love interests on the the original show were all the women mentioned above who were in their 20's while the character of Barnabas was likely supposed to be in his mid 20's, clearly Jonathan Frid was in his 40's when he played Barnabas. The obvious age difference between Barnabas and his love interests was a little hard to watch sometimes and I'm currently a man in my 40's. In the current episodes airing when Bramwell, played by JF is supposed to be the same age as Catherine, played by LP is too ludicrous for words. They have great chemistry but Jonathan is almost 18 years older than Lara and believe me it shows.
I believe if they have the character of Barnabas in the new show and he's going to be attracted to women in their 20's than he should be a man of say no older than 30-35. I get bored watching a man in his 40's continuously falling for 20 somethings. I'm sorry but Ive learned a lot since my 20's and I want to be with a woman who is age appropriate to me not some 20 year old. If I was 20 than a 20 year old would be great but I'm not and I think men look ridiculous when they're with women young enough to be their daughters. Most of the women Barnabas was attracted to were young enough to be Jonathan Frid's daughter.
That said, I have no problem with Barnabas and Angelique as a viable couple. It worked for me 30+ years ago and it works for me now. I'm not sure why the age difference never bothers me, it's probably the chemistry between JF and LP and the timelessness of their characters.
Please don't get me wrong Jonathan Frid is and always will be my favorite from the original but in a lot of ways
he was not age appropriate for his character.
...............Just my opinion
Murph