Darren Osborne - Character Creation and Casting

Character Creation and Casting

Darren was created by Hollyoaks producer Phil Redmond in 1996. He was created along with his parents Celia Osborne and Jack Osborne; they arrived from America to join Darren's older sister Ruth, who was already living in the village. He moved back to America and later returned until the current time. Darren has been referred to as "one of the most popular and longest serving Hollyoaks characters".

Auditions were held for the part of Darren with Adam Booth securing the part in 1996; his first appearance was on 18 November. Booth left Hollyoaks in 1997, so the role was recast in 1999 with Ashley Taylor Dawson. Other actors that auditioned while in the stages of recasting included fellow castmember Alex Carter who went onto secure the part of Lee Hunter, two years after auditioning for the part of Darren. While at the National Youth Theatre aged 17 Dawson joined the cast of Hollyoaks. He went on to secure the part of Darren following an audition. Dawson has said that his first day at Hollyoaks was "daunting". Dawson left in 2000 to pursue a pop career in the UK pop band AllSTARS*. AllSTARS* split up and Dawson later re-joined Hollyoaks in August 2003.

Dawson has said, regarding playing the role of Darren, "I love playing the bad lad. He's my alter ego". In 2010 speaking of his ten-year tenure on the serial Dawson said he felt he like he was "turning a bit into Ken Barlow" and added that he enjoyed playing Darren more each year. Dawson added that he was "still learning" and did not take his role for granted. He stated, "I’m not ignorant enough to think I can just go off and be a Hollywood star! I’d like to take on some more challenges for Darren".