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 on to 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.