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EXCLUSIVE: Scottish platinum-selling singer and stage actor Darius Campbell has landed the male lead in ABC’s drama pilot Beauty And The Beast, a fantasy re-imagining of the classic Beauty and the Beast tale wherein an embattled princess, Grace, discovers an unlikely connection with a mysterious beast, Shiro (Campbell), a mercenary bodyguard. On the project, Campbell joins recently cast Chris Egan who plays Grace’s fiance Gorrick. (The Grace role is yet to be cast). Campbell, who is virtually unknown in the U.S., rose to fame in the U.K. as a finalist on Popstars and Pop Idol. He has starred in a number of West End musicals, including Chicago and Guys And Dolls. This marks the biggest TV acting gig for Campbell whose previous experience includes a guest spot on an U.K. drama series. He is repped by Mosaic, ICM and UK’s Conway van Gelder. Yves Simoneau is directing Beauty And The Beast from a script by Jon Steinberg for ABC Studios and Gary Fleder’s Mojo Films.
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I think everyone in the UK is chuckling at this news. For those of you in the US who have no clue who Darius is may I present to you your leading man, who first rose to fame on the UK version of Popstars before he took part in Pop Idol – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o0LmPO-fJA
I’m guessing(and it’s a pretty safe bet) that you haven’t seen Darius performing in a musical theatre production(Chicago, Guys And Dolls, Gone With The Wind). I’m also guessing that you’ve never met him either. If you had, you’d know that he’s a superb actor/singer and a truly wonderful person.
I think you’ll find he’s earned this role on merit, that he’ll do everything and more that’s asked of him, and that he’ll go on to bigger and better things in the future!
Don’t judge a man on an edited snippet from 10+ years ago. Take the opportunity to enjoy his skills for what they are, rather than what a reality tv editor decided to include in his show years and years ago, which helped setup the dramatic departure of clearly the most talented singer on the whole show!
In years to come, don’t be surprised to see Darius as a successful Hollywood leading man as well as a potential future James Bond!
I have actually seen Darius in Chicago, and agree he is less cheesy but the last thing he did in the UK was ANOTHER cheesy reality tv series – Popstar to Operastar. I’m willing to give him a chance in it but it’s still hilarious to think of him in a US TV Series. For a US equivalent it would be like American Idol’s Sanjaya sudddenly being cast in Downton Abbey – who wouldn’t have a giggle at that!
Nice! I saw him in Chicago last year. He was amazing!
He’s matured a lot so since he was 19 and had no experience. This is more like him now – when he’s singing swing. He’s a good actor.
This is hilarious, cant believe they cast Darius DANESH, theres a reason hes only done one guest spot in the UK. When I was back in London over Christmas, his pop idol clip was showing on one of those ‘most embarrassing tv moments ever’ programs.
Classic Darius.
In fairness, well done to him
He was on This Morning a couple years ago & explained that he was ALWAYS Darius Campbell-Danesh but when he appeared on Popstars the media somehow dropped the ‘Campbell’ & just went with the ‘Danesh’. Then something to do with his Grandfather dying he reverted back to just being ‘Campbell’ which he’s been known as for several years now.
dont be stupid he bhas done loadr of work in the uk you dont here about him because he does not fall out of nightclubs drunk so does not get in papers he is a credit to scotland
He has one credit on the appalling series Hotel Babylon and even that is as ‘Darius Danesh’. Do you consider that ‘loads of work’ Dorothy?
iwas not referring to tv work but his stage work his acting was excellent in chicargo and gone with the wind anyway he would have gone through auditions to get the part they did not just give him the part he will be fab
He’s a bit ‘love to hate’ in the UK – for the sin of lacking a bit of self awareness and having a little too much self confidence when he was a teenager. But the truth is he is talented, good looking, and an all round decent chap. So perhaps the last laugh is on him.
Also he’s married to Species hotty Natasha Henstridge – fact!
He’s a total showbiz survivor who’s had so many ups and downs in his career but still keeps going.
For a while he was a national punchline in the UK – but he’s earned quite a lot of respect now. Good for him!
Re: “…(The Grace role has yet to be cast)…” Uh, wrong! A few days ago it was announced Smallville’s Kristen Kerouk will be playing Grace.
Have seen Darius in Chicago, history of the Big Bands, Gone with the Wind, Carmen the opera at the O2 etc, he has sung alongside the likes of Shirley Bassey in tributes to the beatles and Mat Munro at the albert Hall to much acclaim – a great performer and sadly not given enough credit in the UK press
He is so waifish and fey. A mercenary?! The Beast?! Are they out of their minds??? I don’t even know how to respond to this insanity.
He’s actually about 6′ 5″ with a booming baritone.
He is handsome, has a good voice, and writes his own songs. I don’t understand the UK’s hate for him. It’s not like they cast Gareth Gates…
Have seen Darius in Chicago, history of the Big Bands, Gone with the Wind, Carmen the opera at the O2 etc, he has sung alongside the likes of Shirley Bassey in tributes to the Beatles
> Yeah but don’t mean he can act. As per the first post, I read this with amusement. And what’s with the name change from Danesh to Campbell? Danesh too ‘ethnic’?
Isn’t he also married to Natasha Henstridge now?
darius is a great performer he was nominated for an olivier for
bgone with the wind the us is lucky to get him well done darius
It is about time a network makes a show based on fairy tales
Who cares. Another English actor taking opportunities from US actors. Plenty of talent here…no need to outsource.
omg there are more americans over playing our west end than i dont know what londons full of them
I’d love to say your comment isn’t representative of typically insular American ignorance but it is.
Try coming to the UK and seeing our TV and stage ridden with below par and overhyped American “talent”.
Good on him, he’ll be fantastic because he puts in the work and is multi talented.
We lose our best because Britain doesn’t appreciate them – America you’re lucky to have Darius and unlike many in the UK, you’ll no doubt appreciate and enjoy his talent, you’re in for a treat!