Dan Hunter is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by Andy McNair. The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 19 April 2001. McNair attended an audition for the role and was called back for a second audition, after which he was informed he had won the role. Dan is characterised as "moody and non-conformist" and has an anger problem. McNair believed Dan is defined by his miserable personality. He never became bored of playing the character's misery and admired his characterisation. He is initially portrayed as a loner who is disinterested in romance due to the pressure of working at his family garage business. Writers portrayed the illness diabetes via Dan and he takes insulin to control his condition. McNair found the story challenging to portray and thoroughly researched the condition to add authenticity to the character.
He introduced as part of the show's Hunter family consisting of Dan, his parents Les Hunter (John Graham Davies) and Sally Hunter (Katherine Dow Blyton) and siblings Lisa Hunter (Gemma Atkinson) and Lee Hunter (Alex Carter). Producers later introduced Dan's other sister, Ellie Hunter (Sarah Baxendale), who had been a missing person in Ibiza. Writers developed a feud between them, with Dan blaming her for ruining their family, resulting in a fight which prompts Dan to stop taking his insulin. Dan's main friendship was with Ben Davies (Marcus Patric), whose characterisation suited Dan's dislike to talk about their problems. A prominent relationship story for Dan was developed with Debbie Dean (Jodi Albert). Writers portrayed a "stormy" couple dynamic, with Dan also romancing Debbie's sister, Steph Dean (Carley Stenson). Other storylines include a rally driving plot and helping a criminal repair stolen cars. McNair made his finale appearance as Dan during the episode broadcast on 24 December 2004.
Casting McNair was cast in the role in 2001. He had previously worked as a model and presenter, with Dan being his first professional acting role. McNair's agent contacted him enquiring if he would be interested in attending some auditions for Hollyoaks. McNair agreed but was apprehensive due to his lack of experience. He attended the first audition and received an audition recall two weeks later.Evans 2002, p.130. This time casting directors were auditioned for the roles of Dan's father Les Hunter (John Graham Davies) and sister, Lisa Hunter (Gemma Atkinson). McNair recalled that producers offered him the role of Dan twenty minutes after he returned home from the audition. Of his casting, he added "I was amazed; I jumped up and smacked my head on the door frame!" In an interview with an All About Soap reporter, McNair claimed that he did not believe he would win the role. He added "I didn't really try that hard. I think that's why I was chosen". The character debuted on-screen during the episode broadcast on 19 April 2001. Producers were happy with McNair's performances as Dan and later offered him long-term contracts. In 2003, McNair reflected that he "got lucky" being offered the role and that he "would have been a fool to turn it down."
Development Characterisation A writer from the official Hollyoaks website described Dan as "moody and non-conformist". McNair told Matthew Evans, author of Phil Redmond's Hollyoaks: The Official Companion, that Dan is a "such a prat" and different to his own personality. He described Dan as whinging and "miserable, a male chauvinist and is constantly angry with everybody." McNair believed these personality traits made the character "enjoyable" to play. Playing Dan began to impact McNair's own personality. He told Evans that would leave work feeling "a right grump", say things that only Dan would say and realise after the fact.Evans 2002, p.131. Dan is initially a solitary character because of his work and family problems. McNair explained that Dan does not have many friends because of his whinging ways. Writers created a friendship with Dan and Ben Davies (Marcus Patric). McNair believed they were well suited as friends because "the both understand each other's area of life that they don't want to talk about." In another interview (All About Soap), McNair described Dan as "fairly moody and a bit of a loner". He revealed that "I don't think he wants many people to know him". He added that Dan possesses a "mean streak" and "he can get quite explosive. McNair revealed he is completely different to Dan, who is "moody" and "miserable". He considered himself not as quiet and "more over the top" than Dan. McNair jested that Dan is so miserable he was unable to recall the last time he smiled, adding "he doesn't smile very much does he?" McNair never got bored of playing a miserable character but would have liked more comedic scenes. Being miserable is who Dan is and "I wouldn't want to change him for the world."
In the show, Dan is a mechanic who later opens his own business called "Dan's Pit Stop". The official Hollyoaks website hosted a fictitious website dedicated to Dan's Pit Stop. Dan is also portrayed as having diabetes and takes insulin to control the condition. To portray the condition accurately, McNair revealed he "thoroughly" researched diabetes and found it "the most challenging" of Dan's stories. He added that prior to playing Dan, like most people he was uneducated about the disease. McNair explained that the writers explored the story briefly and ensured that his condition is mentioned in scenes, but he believed that more could have been done with the diabetic storyline. He added, "I enjoy playing that part and I see no reason for it to die away really." Writers explored the social stigma regarding diabetes when Izzy Cornwell (Elize du Toit) discovers Dan's insulin syringe in his bag; she assumes that Dan is a drug addict and she tells Adam Morgan (David Brown), who then reports Dan to the college principal.
Introduction stories Dan is introduced into the series as a new student studying a Higher National Diploma in mechanics at Hollyoaks Community College. Dan divides his time studying and working in the Hunter and Son garage. In one of Dan's first scenes, he gets into a fight with Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard). McNair believed it showcased Dan's "explosive personality" and began a feud between them. He added that the two characters do not get along and Dan "is not prepared to put up with Tony." McNair added that many of Dan's original scenes were with Tony. He described working on the plot with Pickard as "great fun". In his early storylines, Dan is portrayed taking on the burden of running the family garage business. His father, Les prefers to drink alcohol and leave Dan to work alone. Initially writers focused on the introduction of Les, Dan and his sister Lisa. They portrayed a dynamic between Dan and Lisa, where he takes on a "father figure" role. NcNair told McNair told Rachel Corcoran from All About Soap that Dan "wants to be there for her when Les isn't." He added that Les cannot "handle his responsibilities" of work and finances so turns to alcohol to cope. He concluded that the only way the Hunter family would succeed is if Les gives up drinking. Writers focused on the Hunter family moving their family business to Hollyoaks village. The move becomes a "complete disaster", and McNair assessed that the Hunter family "have a lot of bad luck, which they bring on themselves." McNair noted that Hollyoaks upheld a tradition of casting actors with different accents despite their characters being family. He praised the Hunter family castings for all having the same accent because "it does work very well".
Writers portrayed Dan in his early stories as being popular with female characters. Geri Hudson (Joanna Taylor) initially takes a romantic interest in Dan, but he does not reciprocate. McNair described Geri as "all over [Dan] like a rash" and only tries to seduce him at "inopportune times" which makes him disinterested. They created Dan's first romance storyline with Izzy. She kisses Dan but prevents anything further from happening. McNair told Corcoran that "Dan doesn't know what's going on" and that Izzy is basically "teasing him and giving him a taste of his own medicine." He explained that Dan views Izzy as a "posh girl who has too much money" but there is something about her that he finds "intriguing". The romance story was not developed further. McNair believed it played into Dan's characterisation with women "being the last thing on his mind". He added that Dan other stories such as work and family responsibilities make him too preoccupied for romance. McNair also theorised that Dan has "an underlying issue" with trusting women because of the behaviours of his female family members.
Rally driving Writers created a story involving Dan rally driving and getting into trouble with police. With Ben as his passenger, they nearly run over Anna Green (Lisa M. Kay), who is pregnant and Dan is pulled over by police for dangerous driving. Dan refuses to show his relevant driving documents to the police because he blames them for the incident. McNair told Corcoran that he "only feel guilty" about nearly knocking Anna down in his car because she is pregnant. He explained that Dan "likes to vent his anger by driving round like a maniac, he doesn't think of the consequences." McNair added that Dan believes the police will forget about the incident, but they issue him a court summons. McNair described Dan as "really angry" and does not consider how his actions will Ben's life. Dan is portrayed a "spoilt brat" only concerned about losing his driving license.
Dan begins lying to Les that the matter has been resolved. The plot continues with Dan attending illegal rally driving races. He challenges Tel to a race. McNair believed Dan wants bring "wide boy" Tel "down a peg or two". To prepare for the story, McNair took a rally driving lesson with a professional driver. Production used stunt drivers to film the rally scenes. Though McNair and Patric were filmed delivering dialogue for scenes while driving in a vehicle. McNair recalled that in one scene, he accidentally used the accelerator harshly and nearly hit a tree. McNair told Evans that the rally driving plot was one of his favourite storylines. In 2004, McNair recalled "When I did that storyline that was some of the best stuff I've ever done - I really enjoyed it. It's absolutely brilliant."
Feud with Ellie Hunter Writers explored the relationship dynamic between Dan and his erratic sister Ellie Hunter (Sarah Baxendale). She had been missing in Ibiza for some time and unapologetically returned to live with the Hunter family. Dan struggles to cope with Ellie's reappearance because she refuses to take responsibility for her actions. McNair told All About Soap's Karen Dunn that "Ellie just doesn't realise the effect her disappearance had. Dan tries to make her sit up and think about what she has done, however she is not interested." Baxendale agreed with McNair's assessment of the dynamic. She told Soaplife's Alison James, that Dan's anger comes from Ellie downplaying her disappearance and "he really resents her for that." His mother, Sally Hunter (Katherine Dow Blyton) realises the Hunter clan need to bond and suggests a family holiday. Ellie responds by telling her that she would rather holiday with friends, which further annoys Dan. McNair explained that Ellie's behaviour and the family's financial woes begin to take their toll on his health.