RIP Darius Perkins.

[CAEF]

The first actor to play Scott Robinson has died, however it will not alter me preferring Jason's Scott. Neighbours did not really take off in the UK until after Darius' episodes were shown and I think many of the UK audiences think of Jason's Scott, especially with "Scott and Charlene".

[Deleted]

I liked the original Scott (Darius), and thought he was the much nicer version of Scott (and a better actor too IMO). I will grudgingly admit though that Jason did make the Scott character more convincing with his scenes with Charlene because he seemed older.
It seems in those 80`s days - a pretty boy will win more fans more than the original cast. Such a shame. I still think that if Jim Robinson wanted to leave Neighbours, he should`ve been recast - not killed off. His final death scene was ridiculous. Maybe that was his punishment for leaving lol

[kitkat1971]

As I said in the Obituary thread, I much preferred Perkins Scott. I thought it was a subtler, more nuanced performance and Scott came across as a more well rounded character. He was sensitive, kind, intelligent, moral, hard working but also flawed, awkward and prone to making mistakes. He also fitted in to the Robinson family better looks and temperement wise.

Jason's Scott never took with me. Overnight he became a sulky, difficult, sullen, angry, up himself stereotypical teen who was forever stropping off about something or other.

I don't deny Jason is the more recognisable and remembered of the two and its more than possible that Darius wouldn't have had as good as chemistry with Kylie and since that relationship was so crucial to Neighbours becoming a hit, it's hard not to concede that the recast was not only successful but necessary.

But it doesn't stop me considering Perkins to be not just the original but real and better Scott.

But then, I'm something of a minority in having not only watched Neighbours from the start whereas many didn't start until after it got the evening slot so only ever saw Donovan but actually thinking it was a better show in general on Channel 7 than Channel 10. An opinion I still held on rewatching it a couple of years ago.