Robert James-Collier as Thomas Barrow in Downton Abbey

His laugh is warm, his answers well thought out. British actor Robert James-Collier is nothing like Thomas Barrow, a scheming under-butler who manipulates men and moments for his own amusement, in the global smash-hit TV show Downton Abbey (Season 5 airs on STAR World Premiere HD every Thursday at 10pm).

The story is that Thomas Barrow was going to be written off the script at the end of Season 1. Is that true?

Yes… the original idea was that he was either going to die or be sacked (laughs). While we were filming the first few episodes of Season 1, the producer came up to me and said: ‘You are doing well. Would you consider signing up for (Seasons) 2 and 3 as well?’ That’s a very nice thing for any actor to hear.

And here you are going strong for five seasons now. What, according to you, has been the character’s biggest contribution to Downton Abbey?

I think he’s just been responsible to get the action going. The way he thinks up all those crazy schemes makes him so deliciously evil. You always know that there is going to be drama when Thomas Barrow is around. There is nothing grey about him… he’s just completely black. And that’s what, I guess, viewers like about the character… he keeps them hooked.

Evil, deliciously dark, conniving… the adjectives to describe Barrow aren’t pretty. Did you have any apprehensions about playing him when you were first offered the part?

None at all. I knew at that time that the character is going to be gay as well. As an actor, you can’t have any sort of self-discrimination against any character whether it’s a gay person, a rapist or whatever. You just have to rise to the challenge of playing that character. I just loved the fact that he was someone who was so aware of his sexuality even at that time in England. It’s a fascinating insight into why he has turned out to be so evil… because he wasn’t allowed to be what he was. There is a lot in his life to explain why he is how he is.

You have been quoted as saying you spent a couple of sleepless nights when told that the character was going to be gay…

I was actually misread and perhaps even misquoted there because what I meant was that I had sleepless nights worrying whether I would be able to play such a character right. I myself not being gay, there was always the worry that I wouldn’t get the nuances right. I had to research a lot and learn by observation.

How do you play a character you have no sense of identification with?

Well, there were archive documents on people who were gay at that time. But while there is some amount of information out there, I had to use my imagination to a large extent to figure why he might behave the way he does. Of course, his reactions often also depend on the other characters in the story. We also have a fantastic historical adviser in the form of Alastair Bruce who is a descendant of Robert the Bruce. He has an encyclopaedic mind on Scottish history and heritage.

Looking back, is there anything about Barrow that you would want to change?

He’s always been kind of portrayed from this nasty, acerbic aspect, but I feel Thomas’s humorous side can also be highlighted sometimes. He needs to let his guard down sometimes. But then, ours is not to reason why! (Laughs)

How do you explain the increasing viewership that Downton Abbey continues to enjoy the world over?

I can best explain it from the point of view of the audience in England. The viewers keep coming back to the fantastic cast we have… Dame Maggie Smith and Hugh Bonneville and the others. There’s an ecletic mix of characters that the audience has warmed up to and they cheer for their favourites.

In America, they have always been fascinated by British history and Downton Abbey represents that kind of aristocracy. The glamour also works… the setting, the costumes, the architecture…. But there have also been other period dramas just like Downton Abbey, but they haven’t worked with the audience. So, I guess, it’s best not to think too much about it! (Laughs)

Besides Downton Abbey, what would you count as the turning points for you as an actor?

I think the biggest turning point for me was when I decided that I wanted to be an actor. That was when a friend of a friend was making a film as part of a student project and the actor dropped out and I was brought in. That’s when I realised: ‘Hey, this is what I want to do’.

Finally, are you familiar with the Indian film and TV scene?

Not massively. But it’s the biggest filmmaking industry in the world, isn’t it? I am aware of the Bollywood phenomenon, but I haven’t watched any films. Do you think there would be work for me if I went over there? I could just do the evil guy… I do the glowering looks well! (Laughs)

KNOW THE SHOW

Set in the fictional Yorkshire estate of Downton Abbey, the show focuses on the lives of the Crawley family and their servants in the post-Edwardian era against the backdrop of life-changing historical events.

lIs the highest rated PBS “Masterpiece” drama series of all time, watched by 120 million viewers in 200 countries.

lHas won numerous awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Mini-Series or TV Movie and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries or Movie.

lIs filmed at Highclere Castle in West Berkshire, owned by the Carnarvon family since the late 17th century

Priyanka Roy