DOWNSTAIRS schemer Thomas has been a troubled soul in this final series of Downton Abbey.
Over the years, we’ve seen the underbutler plan, plot and even sometimes do the right thing.
This time he’s had plenty of troubles to cope with, from the prospect of unemployment as the grand home faces downsizing to his ongoing struggles with his sexuality.
But Rob James-Collier is quite happy that writer and creator Julian Fellowes wasn’t for giving his character an easy ride.
“Julian said to me after the read-through, ‘I hope you’re ready to play the tragic hero this year’,” Rob told The Sunday Post.
“Thomas has never truly been happy with himself and Downton Abbey and that’s why he’s so conflicted and nasty.
“He’s never resolved that and that’s what it’s all about this year.
“Can he resolve it and if he can’t, what will happen to him?”
ITV’s period blockbuster is going out with a real mix of highs and lows, with wedding happiness alongside personal woes.
“Thomas is right at the brink,” admits Rob.
“There’s a lot of pathos there and it’s quite powerful stuff.
“This series he deals with that tragic journey.
“He’s been worn down by years and years of society saying you can’t be who you are. He’s at the end of tether.
“It’s all in Julian’s script. If I can play those scenes and they are challenging to play then the audience has to warm to it.
“It gives you the key to who he’s been for six years.
“It’ll be unlocked at the end if this series, for good or bad.”
Despite being hugely experienced, with a long stint in Corrie as Liam Connor under his belt, Rob says he’s learned much from his Downton days.
And even looking back to the first series, he can see improvements in his acting.
From factory floor to stately home. Rob in Coronation Street, left, and Downton Abbey.
“Getting into the zone is the hard bit,” he confides.
“Everyone is quiet but it’s a busy set and you know in any second it’ll be on you to deliver that level of emotion in a scene.
“There’s a pressure that comes with that. That’s where the hard work is, trying not to peak too soon.
“Afterwards you just switch off.
“When I was younger, I’d beat myself up and say couldn’t I have done this or that. Now I just do my best and leave it.”
Rob admits he has tried his best to give an accurate portrayal.
“You try to use a past experience,” he explains.
“Because Thomas and myself are worlds apart, I have spoken to gay friends about how you would feel then put that in an Edwardian context.
“But in the end, I had to make up my own story and play it in my head when I was doing the scene.”
Rob is indeed a world away from intense Thomas, bubbly, good company and happy to share tales of life on a massive drama like Downton.
When it comes to storytelling, though, he concedes he’s not in the same league as Dame Maggie Smith.
“I love going on YouTube and seeing clips of her on Parkinson. She’s an icon.
“We’d hang around between takes and it was never Dame Maggie. She always said she started in acting as Maggie and she’ll end it as Maggie.
“She raises the anecdote bar. She has anecdotes about people such as Montgomery Cliff, proper stars.
“I can’t compete with that I have an amusing story about putting my foot through the shed roof once!”
The series will bow out with a festive special sure to have fans reaching for the tissues on Christmas night.
And it’ll be a busy festive period for Rob, who made a film, A Christmas Star alongside Doctor Foster and Scott & Bailey favourite, Suranne Jones.
But despite Downton being a global phenomenon Rob says he’s managed to avoid avid fans.
“I’ve never had an overzealous fan apart from my mum,” he laughs.
Downton Abbey, ITV, Sunday, 9pm.
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