Paul Darrow RIP

[lucklesspedestrian]

Paul Darrow played Avon in the classic British TV Science Fiction series Blakes 7.
He was easily the coolest character (IMHO) out of any of the dozens (hundreds?) of Sci-fi TV series/Films I have watched over the years and I was lucky enough to see him play Sam Vimes in a stage adaptation of Terry Pratchett's 'Guards!, Guards!'

Really sad to see him go, here's a taster of the iconic final scene in Blake's 7 (hope this link works otherwise look it up on YouTube!)

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[lucklesspedestrian]

sorry, just noticed thread already started in the Dr Who sub forum, mods feel free to move.

 

[Qonundrum]

Loved him in numerous shows, but for his stint as Avon, check this out as well - it's not the complete or definitive list, but it's easy to see why he loved doing the show!

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[The Nth Doctor]

Damn, this is a terrible loss. Rest in peace, Paul.

Blake's 7 truly became great with Paul Darrow when he stepped into the leading role after Gareth Thomas left the show. Avon and Vila were always my two favorite characters because of their complexities and the rapport between each other and that often came down to Darrow's and Michael Keating's performances. He and the rest of the cast breathed in fresh air into the characters in recent years with the Big Finish audio plays which I've enjoyed just much as the series itself (although I'm a couple of years behind right now).

As for this remembrance thread, I don't think it should be an issue to have both this one and the one in the Doctor Who forum since he was well known for both series (even if he only appeared in two serials of Doctor Who).

 

[StarCruiser]

Always a standout in the show - even if everything went wrong - Avon (Paul) was consistent...

I loved both Tom Baker's Doctor Who and Blake's 7 on PBS back in the day.

 

[auntiehill]

I can't tell you how gutted I am. I was such a fan; Blake's 7 was a huge part of my teen years. The character of Avon became an instant obsession, and I have loved him ever since. I was at a doctor's office when I saw the news on my phone and had to fight back the tears, lest I burst into tears in public.

This is a very bad day for me.

 

[Cyrus]

My heart sank when I saw this but it turns out I don't know this person. I thought this was about Henry Darrow, an actor that I like a lot, who was in High Chaparral, TNG episode Conspiracy and played Chakotay's dad in Voyager.

 

[Mysterion]

Sorry to hear this.

Will we ever get a US release of B7 on DVD/Blu Ray?

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Will we ever get a US release of B7 on DVD/Blu Ray?

Apparently it's some kind of rights issue, if I recall correctly.

 

[Leroy]

RIP Mr. Darrow

Will we ever get a US release of B7 on DVD/Blu Ray?

I highly doubt it at this stage in the game, however if you want a physical release you can import the region 2 discs, just make sure your player can switch regions and play PAL discs, the season sets have gone down in price over the years and recently there was a complete series release as well.

 

[Maurice]

I came to Blake's 7 only a few years ago and really liked it, even when some of the stories were pants. Darrow was generally good but went rather ham sandwich after Gareth Thomas departed, although I still enjoyed him.

 

[Orac Zen]

Requiescat in pace, and thanks for the incredible, indelible memories.

 

[Starkers]

RIP Paul and thank you for some lovely childhood (and adulthood) memories. Re-watched Sarcophagus last night in his honour, damn he could deliver a snarky line wonderfully!

Avon is one of the top drawer anti-heroes ever!

 

[Mr. Adventure]

There should be a crossover episode with Avon, Garak from DS9 and Galen from Crusade going at it. Blake may have been the heart of the show but Paul's Avon brought the soul, those flawed, cynical human beings who struggle to do the right thing in the face of tempting options. I never saw him in anything else but he was great in Blake's 7 (and maybe left a couple of bite marks in the scenery as he went).

 

[Tom]

Oh no! Loved him in Blakes 7 and in Timelash