80’s screen siren Kate O’Mara, the woman Dynasty audiences loved to hate, passed away at 74 in an English nursing home yesterday following a short illness, according to her agent, Phil Belfield.

“A shining star has gone out and Kate will be dearly missed by all who knew and have worked with her,” said Belfield in a statement.

Kate O’Mara in 1998. Photo: AP

The 74 year-old English actress became a household name back in 1981 thanks to her starring role on the American soap opera as the manipulative Cassandra “Caress” Morrell, the sister of Joan Collins’ character Alexis Colby.

O’Mara also appeared in cult British television show Doctor Who as The Rani, a rebel Time Lady, and made a guest appearance on comedy Absolutely Fabulous as Patsy’s sister Jackie.

The actress was also an author, publishing four books, two of them novels.

O’Mara in an undated photo shoot. Photo: AP

O’Mara’s friends and former co-stars have paid tribute to the star on Twitter, with Doctor Who actress Bonnie Langford writing “So sad to hear that the wonderful Kate O’Mara has gone. Treasured memories.”

O’Mara’s Dynasty co-star, Joan Collins, also shared her sorrow.

Tragic news about Kate O Mara , we had great fun on Dynasty when she played my sister Caress who Alexis insisted on calling CASSIE ! RIP

— Joan Collins (@joancollinsobe) March 30, 2014

Kate O’Mara is no more. Only 74! I loved every encounter I had with her. Today doesn’t seem so sunny.

— graham norton (@grahnort) March 30, 2014

So sad to hear of the passing of the wonderful Kate O’Mara. I was lucky to work with her on Horror of Frankenstein pic.twitter.com/u3ppwhjxYL

— Phil Campbell (@Filbell2) March 30, 2014