| bbfan1991 |
23-09-2013 07:25 PM |
Ashley Taylor Dawson on 'Hollyoaks' Darren twist, 'Strictly' and more
Quote:
http://i1.cdnds.net/13/04/618x551/so...sborne-2-2.jpg
Hollyoaks delivered yet another shocking storyline twist in its latest episode as Darren Osborne was revealed as Sandy Roscoe's secret son.
Fans had suspected for a while that Darren's father Jack (Jimmy McKenna) had a connection to the Roscoe clan, but few will have guessed the real bombshell which now threatens to tear both families apart.
Ashley Taylor Dawson, who plays Darren, caught up with Digital Spy today (September 23) for an exclusive chat about the big twist, the repercussions for Darren, and his life off-screen as he competes on Strictly Come Dancing and prepares to become a father again.
How do you feel about Darren being Sandy's son?
"When I found out about this storyline, I thought it was fantastic. I was buzzing because it's such a massive reveal. The writers set it up so that it looked like Joe was Jack's son, and I think they were playing around with the idea for a while - they weren't sure which way they were going to take the storyline.
"Once it was confirmed that Darren would be Sandy's son, I thought it was great. It's fantastic as an actor to have such a big storyline, and it's going to turn Darren's whole world upside down because his whole life has been a lie. The scripts are some of the best ones that I've had for a long time."
When were you told for definite which way it was going?
"It was a couple of months beforehand - we've known for quite a while. We did some scenes where we first met the Roscoes, and then they finalised the idea afterwards. As Jack already knew Sandy, if you look back now, you'll see little details that we put in which hinted at the massive secret.
"Once the writers had made their decision, we were called in for a meeting and told to have it in our minds for the scenes we were playing. It was all quite subtle at first, but obviously it's now all come to a head with the big reveal at the pub."
Hollyoaks is becoming known for keeping its biggest storyline twists under wraps. Is it hard to keep those secrets?
"It is hard, because obviously there are spoilers that go out for the show. I was very passionate about keeping this a secret and not giving any teasers beforehand. The writers have done a great job with the storyline because they've sent everyone up the wrong path, thinking that Joe must have been Jack's son. Nobody was expecting Darren to be Sandy's son and I think it's more special for the viewers when these things are a genuine surprise."
http://i1.cdnds.net/13/26/618x412/so...ts-the-dog.jpg
The episode aired on E4 on Friday, so has there been a big reaction from the fans?
"Definitely. Twitter has gone mad and everyone is shocked about it! It's also great that they can now see the repercussions of everything that's happened.
"Tuesday's episode is a special one, as there are only five or six people in it. It was great to have long scenes which could breathe. With so much going on in the show, we're usually cutting from one thing to another. These scenes were a bit more like ones in a drama which would air in a later timeslot. It was fantastic to get that opportunity while playing out this new storyline. I went over to Jimmy's the night before we filmed it so we could really go through those scenes together."
Can Darren forgive Jack for lying to him?
"Darren has already had a tough couple of years, and he's had problems with his dad in the past. He found it hard to love his dad, because he felt that Jack hadn't really looked after him. It's been a long road for them, but they've become closer recently and they got to a point where they could confide in each other.
"Darren now knows that his dad has been lying to him for his whole life. You can only imagine what that does to someone - it ruins them. It's going to take a long time for Darren to forgive Jack for that."
Are you excited to now have five new half-brothers in the show?
"Yes! This is the thing - Darren hasn't really seen eye-to-eye with the Roscoes from the beginning. He doesn't get on well with Sandy either, as we've just seen when he called her a slag! With the boys, Darren's had fights with Joe before and he dragged Jason into the pub over the Price Slice robbery. He's more or less fallen out with all of them, so the family he's taking on board is one he despises and has no respect for! The repercussions are hard to swallow for Darren."
http://i2.cdnds.net/13/18/618x434/so...aks-3609-6.jpg
How do you feel about Darren turning against Nancy recently?
"From Darren's point of view, everything he's doing is the right thing. He's trying to be a father, he's trying to be a family man and he's trying to be fair with everyone. As far as Darren can see, Sienna was beaten up, Nancy did run away from the police with the kids, she did end up on the edge of a building, and he has seen her taking drugs.
"The viewers see the other side, but Darren thinks that Nancy has lost the plot. It's very hard for him to take that, because he obviously loves her and they've got so much history together. He's trying to rebuild his life with Sienna, who seemingly does nothing but care for him. However, he is very conscious of the fact that if Sienna wasn't telling him she's pregnant, he wouldn't be with her."
We're hearing that October will be a massive month for Hollyoaks as the show turns 18. Will you be involved in that?
"Yes! It's a lovely milestone for Hollyoaks and it's done so well over the years. Right now the scripts are brilliant, we have a talented cast and it's nice to see that the viewing figures are going up. We've got relentless drama and relentless storylines, so I'm proud to be here."
How's everything going with Strictly Come Dancing?
"It's been an absolute rollercoaster of emotions. Obviously I've got a baby on the way who is due this Thursday, and that's the day I travel to London ahead of the first live shows on Friday and Saturday. Everybody at Strictly is wonderful and to be part of something so huge is quite overwhelming. The dancing has been going alright, but it's a completely new ball park and I'm out of my comfort zone. I'm enjoying every minute of it, though.
"I keep saying at the moment that I've got three 'problems' - I'm in work full-time, I'm doing Strictly and we're expecting a new baby. They're wonderful problems to have, but they seem like they're tearing my world apart! I just feel very lucky at the moment and my fiancée is my hero, because she's dealing with this while she's pregnant. I'm very proud of her as well."
Will Hollyoaks give you a lighter workload to help you out with Strictly training?
"They can't, because when the Strictly call came in, my fate as Darren and all of my storylines had already been decided! But like I say, it's a wonderful position to be in. I'm so happy at Hollyoaks, it's fantastic to be part of Strictly, and to have a baby on the way is amazing. I wouldn't want it any other way."
|
Darren's behaviour is all over the place atm, but I still like him and Ashley is brilliant playing all sides to his character. Not long to go before Ashley is a dad for the second time and he starts the SCD live shows, plus working full time at HO as well it is a busy time!
|
