Daniel Potts

Daniel Potts
Daniel in 2011 as portrayed by Ido Drent.
Shortland Street character
Portrayed by	Jarred Blakiston (2004-2007) Ido Drent (2009-present)
Introduced by	Harriet Crampton (2004) Jason Daniel (2007) Steven Zanoski (2009)
Duration	2004-05, 2007, 2009-
First appearance	29 September 2004 episode 3078
Classification	Present; regular
Profile
Date of birth	1991
Residence	Matekino
Occupation	Software Designer (2011-present)
Alternative image(s)
Daniel in 2005 as portrayed by Jarred Blakiston
Family Father Tim Coombes Mother Sarah Potts Stepfather Andrew Solomon TK Samuels Stepmother Theresa Coombes Half sisters Grace Coombes[1] Matilda Potts Grandfathers Morgan Potts Grandmothers Pam Potts

Daniel Potts is a fictional character in the soap opera Shortland Street. The role was originated by actor Jarred Blakiston from 2004–2005 and again briefly in 2007 before Ido Drent took over in 2009. Upon arrival, the character was involved in a high profile storyline that saw him being revealed as the illegitimate son of new character Sarah Potts (Amanda Billing).

Arriving in September 2004 as the brother of Sarah, it was not long before he learnt he was really her son from a one night stand with high school sweet heart Tim Coombes (Millen Baird). Coming to resent Sarah following the revelation, Daniel moved to Samoa to be with his father. However he fell into a bad crowd and returned in 2009 a somewhat antagonistic badboy. Following a relationship with Sophie McKay (Kimberley Crossman) and a stint in Bootcamp following being arrested, Daniel underwent a severe personality change that saw him become a protagonist and being portrayed in a more positive light. Despite forgiving his mother, he still would clash with her, especially in 2010 when Sarah encouraged Daniel's girlfriend Loren (Sophia Johnson) to get an abortion, an action that led Daniel to move out of the family home. The character has been involved in numerous highly topical storylines, including viral bullying, government introduced bootcamps, activism, homelessness, abortion, internet entrepreneurship and drug addiction, a storyline that saw Daniel help best friend Hunter (Lee Donoghue) and girlfriend Paige Munroe (Rachel Foreman) come off prescription pills.

Daniel has been a highly popular character, winning "Favourite New Character" at the Throng Shortland Street fan awards 2009.

Creation and Casting

The character was originally played by Jarred Blakiston from 2004 to 2005 and again for a guest role in 2007. Upon his return in 2009 he was recast with Ido Drent being cast. After auditioning for the role mid 2008, Drent was contacted again later in the year where he acted alongside screen mother, Amanda Billing and was then offered the role. Drent returned to the show after a 10 week break in mid 2010.^[2] In a September 2011 interview with 20/20, Drent expressed concern at the new found protagonistic characteristics of his character, stating; "you can't be too good in a drama, otherwise there's no room for you!"^[3]

Return

After a 2 year disappearance, Daniel returned to the show in March 2009. The character was said to be a "heart throb"^[4][2] and was set to accurately portray bullying on screen.^[5]

Storylines

Daniel departing Sarah's house in 2005 with Sarah and his grandfather

2004-

Daniel arrives to Shortland Street with his mother Pam (Teresa Woodham) and father Morgan (Michael Morrissey) to visit older sister Sarah Potts (Amanda Billing). Daniel alerts Sarah of his spite towards his parents as they are the oldest parents at school and are very strict. He moves in with Sarah and is rattled when Sarah reveals she is his real mother. A devastated Daniel grows to hate Sarah and tries to move back in with Pam and Morgan. Eventually accepting the truth, Daniel clashes with Sarah's fiance Andrew Solomon (Paolo Rotondo).

Daniel finally meets his dad, Tim Coombes (Millen Baird) in 2005 and after Tim's initial hesitation, the two grow close. Tim eventually decides to adopt Daniel and bring him to Samoa, which Sarah argues with but when she realizes it is for Daniel's best interest, she allows it. Daniel returns in May 2007 to witness Sarah's wedding to TK Samuels (Benjamin Mitchell) but quickly gets into trouble after stealing Sarah's car.

In 2009 Daniel returns after falling in with a bad crowd in Samoa and dates Sophie McKay (Kimberley Crossman). After selling stolen goods, Daniel's co seller Ryan (Reece Rodewyk) dies in a car crash indirectly caused by Daniel. An emotional Daniel is arrested, sent to bootcamp and transformed to a reformed badboy. Daniel and Sophie break up following the revelation Sophie is in love with Kieran Mitchell (Adam Rickitt). Following a near death experience at the hands of a underground boxing, Daniel returns to Samoa. He returns later in the year after Samoa is hit by a tsunami.

In 2010 Daniel starts to date Loren Fitzpatrick (Sophia Johnson) and soon becomes involved in campaigning against injections. Loren soon falls pregnant and when Loren has an abortion with Sarahs help, Daniel moves out and becomes homeless, before eventually moving back into Maxwell's (Robbie Magasiva). Daniel moves out to live with Brodie (Ari Boyland) and Hunter (Lee Donoghue) in their new flat. He and Sophie start to date again in late 2010 following the death of Kieran.

In March 2011 they break up after Sophie decides to travel the world. As the year progresses, Daniel designs a revolutionary hospital software and starts to date Paige Munroe (Rachel Foreman). Paige cheats on him with Hunter however and his design project is legally taken by the shifty Shane Tucker (Jason Hood). He develops a crush on Lana Jacobs (Brooke Williams) but secretly becomes the affections of the bisexual Jonathon McKenna (Kieren Hutchison).

Character Development

Relationship with Sarah Potts

Upon his arrival, Daniel is under the belief he is Sarah's brother but having learnt the truth, Daniel starts to play up as a measure of disgust and discontentment towards his mother. His schoolwork begins to suffer, he starts to become a bully and shows anger management towards his mother. Daniel's original portrayor, Jarred Blakiston described Daniel's point of view, stating; "He knows Sarah will do anything for him, that she really wants to show she cares. If he doesn't get what he wants, he punishes and manipulates her, and even though she tries not to, she always gives in, it's taken him a long time to come to terms with Sarah being his real mother. It's led him to do and say things he doesn't necessarily mean". Daniel eventually forgives Sarah and moves to Samoa with father, Tim and step mother, Theresa. He returns briefly in 2007 and instantly gets in trouble with Sarah for stealing her car, however he states he doesn't hate Sarah and does not wish to hurt her but was under the impression Sarah hated him.

In 2009 Daniel uses his mother's Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis as an excuse to return to New Zealand and party.^[6] He quickly falls out with his mother over his rebellious attitude and when she discovers he is storing stolen goods at the house, she calls the police on him, having him arrested and sent to bootcamp. Daniel starts to spite Sarah by taking up boxing but pleases her when he returns safe following the Samoan earthquake. The two are at odds when she encourages Daniel's pregnant girlfriend Loren to have an abortion, something which Daniel refuses to forgive. Also in disbelief that a recently separated Sarah had already moved on to Maxwell Avia, Daniel moves out from his mother's place and becomes homeless. Sarah makes a heartfelt apology and the two make up. Daniel helps her through her pregnancy and starts to care for half sister, Tillie. Daniel moves in with Sarah to look after her following the birth, but causes friction when he goes to Roimata for help with the baby.

Reception

Daniel has been a favourable character, winning "Favourite New Character" at the Throng Shortland Street fan awards 2009^[7] and winning runner up for "Favourite Male Character" in 2010.^[8] Drent reveived many nominations for his role as Daniel including a Girlfriend Faves Forever award for "Celeb Male 2011"^[9] and "Favourite TV star" in the What Now awards.^[9]

References

1. ^ "episode 3298". Shortland Street. Television New Zealand. TV2. 18 August 2005. Retrieved on October 2011.
2. ^ ^{a b} "Shortland Street - Weeknights on TV2". Throng. October 2010. http://www.throng.co.nz/shortland-street/shortland-street-weeknights-on-tv2-15. Retrieved August 2011. 
3. ^ "Running Hot". 20/20. Television New Zealand. TV2. 1 September 2011. Retrieved on September 2011.
4. ^ Glucina, Rachel (March 2009). "New stars set to sex up 'Shortland St'". NZherald. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/television/news/article.cfm?c_id=339&objectid=10560883. Retrieved August 2011. 
5. ^ "Shory Star helps teens face up to bullies". Stuff. March 2009. http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-news/entertainment/2262548/Shorty-star-helps-teens-face-up-to-bullies. Retrieved August 2011. 
6. ^ "Ido Drent". throng.co.nz. Throng. April 2009. http://www.throng.co.nz/shortland-street/ido-drent. Retrieved October 2011. 
7. ^ "Shortland Street Fan awards 2009 - Winners". Throng. December 2009. http://www.throng.co.nz/shortland-street/shortland-street-fan-award-winners-2009. Retrieved October 2011. 
8. ^ "Shortland Street fan awards 2010 - winners". Throng. December 2010. http://www.throng.co.nz/shortland-street/shortland-street-fan-awards-2010-winners. Retrieved October 2011. 
9. ^ ^{a b} "Awards galore". tvnz.co.nz. Television New Zealand. October 2011. http://tvnz.co.nz/shortland-street/awards-galore-4486132. Retrieved October 2011.