Downton Abbey star ‘humbled’ by response to ‘gay cure’ plot
Downton Abbey star Rob James-Collier has opened up about a controversial storyline which saw his character attempting to ācureā his homosexuality.
The actor plays villainous gay under-butler Thomas Barrow on the ITV period drama, who has become central to the show.
Speaking to IBT UK ahead of the launch of the sixth and final run next week, the actor spoke about a controversial storyline that saw the character ailing as he attempted to make himself straight by injecting toxic āmedicineā ā a genuine approach to homosexuality at the time the show is set.
He said: āWeāve dealt with Thomasā sexuality and he always appeared to be happy but we found out last year that he wasnāt.
āHe never resolved it last year, he thought he could cure it by injecting himself. Itās always underlying that he always has to reconcile who he is with himself, good or bad. Thatās what this series is all about for Thomas.ā
Of portraying the character, he said: āItās a privilege because this conflict about who he is, thatās why you get the good side and the bad side. Society condemns him so thatās why heās like, āI am whatever you say I amā.
He also revealed that people tell him the characterās struggles help them in real life.
The actor said: āIāve had teenagers who havenāt come out to their families and it was how Thomasā struggles resonated.
āThe worry about getting exposed and theyāre yet to come out to their families and friends, their insecurities like: āAm I going to get accepted, how are my family going to deal with this?ā Itās a huge thing.
āTo see something on the TV in a main show that they can identify with is quite rare so I really tapped into that.
āItās really humbling when you see letters like that because Thomas is moving people and thatās what dramaās supposed to do. Itās supposed to evoke emotion.
āItās lovely when you get that, itās the greatest compliment of all. Very humbling, poignant and heartfelt.ā
James-Collier told the Mirror that the upcoming run will unlock āthe answerā to the characterās ways ā after wearing him down.
He said: āYou are going to see Thomas right at the brink.
āHeās been worn down by years and years of society saying you canāt be who you are and this series deals with that tragic journey.
āThe answer which explains why Thomas is the way he has been the past six years will be unlocked ā for good or bad ā at the end of the series.ā
