'Downton Abbey' star Rob James-Collier fears his character will be axed.
The 37-year-old actor plays twisted Thomas Barrow in the ITV period drama and although he loves the role, he's confessed he's constantly worried about him being axed because of his bad behaviour.
He said: "I check for death first in every script - the first thing I want to know is, 'Am I alive at the end?'"
Series five of the hit drama is to kick off this weekend and will see blackmailing under-butler Thomas increase the pressure on new lady's maid Phyllis Baxter (Raquel Cassidy).
Following on from the 2013 Christmas special, viewers have been left to guess what his hold over Phyllis is and whether she will give up the information he needs to help him bring down his nemesis John Bates (Brendan Coyle).
Rob claims that although his character's vindictive and cruel scheming make him unlikeable, he believes he's just misunderstood because he has to keep his homosexuality a secret.
Rob explained to The Sun newspaper: "It's finally dawned on Thomas he isn't going to be allowed to love and he may give up in that department.
"I just want to play whatever leads to drama and with Thomas that is rooted in his sexuality.
"At the time it was illegal and against God to be gay, so he's got this tremendous cross to bear.
"I want to see how he deals with that year on year and how different characters coming in evolve that."

Simon Cowell wants to bring back a celebrity version of 'The X Factor'.
The 54-year-old music mogul is reportedly considering filming a special edition of the show featuring famous faces for ITV's TEXT SANTA charity appeal later this year despite the failure of the 2006 attempt at a celebrity focused version of the singing competition entitled 'X Factor: Battle of the Stars'.
Simon is said to have spoken of the idea at his house in Los Angeles, where current 'X Factor' contestants have been performing for him in a bid to make it through to the live shows phase of the talent show.
Simon added that he thinks there is everything to play for in this year's competition compared with last years' series, in which winner Sam Bailey emerged as a frontrunner in the first couple of weeks.
He said: "Last year, the minute I saw the show it was just a one-horse race. I mean no one was going to beat that girl.
"I know who has gone through this year and I think it is going to be a proper competition again. I think people are going to be more invested in the contestants this year than last year."

'Downton Abbey' star Lily James stays off Twitter to avoid trolls.
The 25-year-old actress claims she suffered upsetting abuse on the social networking site when she first joined the much-loved ITV drama as Lady Rose MacClare two years ago.
The blonde-beauty - who previously starred in 'Secret Diary of a Call Girl' - has now left Twitter to avoid having to read negative comments about herself.
She told Radio Times magazine: "I was surprised people had an opinion about me, but now I don't want to engage with that stuff.
"The internet is not a real person, so why would you want to read it?"
Lily also explained that while she feels she must be able to block out negative comments about her in the press and on the internet, she doesn't want to change because she fears it may affect her acting ability.
She stated: "You have to develop a thick skin as an actor, but also have a thin one because you need to be vulnerable at times."
The actress is currently dating former 'Doctor Who' star Matt Smith, and spoke about her relationship with the 31-year-old confessing that the celebrity couple will never talk to the media about the status of their love lives.
She added: "Of course people are interested in our lives outside 'Downton'. Some actors don't care but I like to keep my private life separate."

'Coronation Street' bosses have reportedly begun handing out fines to badly behaved cast members.
The ITV soap is said to have introduced a football-style fines punishment system for any stars whose actions and behaviour lead to the show being brought into disrepute.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "The view is that the only real way to punish the cast is to hit them where it really hurts - and that's financially.
"Unprofessional behaviour isn't going to be just accepted any more. Quite often, saying sorry isn't good enough."
News of the new penalty for badly behaved cast members comes after Jack P. Shepherd - who plays David Platt in the soap - posted a number of inappropriate comments about a recent tragic fire at Manchester Dog's home, where around 50 animals are said to have lost their lives, on Twitter.
However, bosses have made no mention as to whether he will be fined for the statements.
A Corrie spokesperson told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Jack's ill-judged and insensitive tweets were clearly unacceptable and we will be talking to him about his conduct."
An insider added to The Sun newspaper: "Discussion is being had as to how to deal with this."

Robert Sugden is to return to 'Emmerdale'.
The character - who appeared in the soap between 1986 and 2005 and returned briefly in 2009 - is to be taken on by newcomer Ryan Hawley and is to cause trouble for his brother and old adversary Andy Sugden, played by Kelvin Fletcher.
Ryan said of joining the ITV soap: "I am absolutely over the moon to be joining the show. Playing such an interesting character with a complicated history in the village is so much fun, especially as my family are all big 'Emmerdale' fans. I can't say much about what's going to happen but I am delighted to be a part of it."
Robert - who was previously portrayed by actors Richard Smith, Christopher Smith and Karl Davies - and his adopted brother Andy have always been at loggerheads as Andy never forgave Robert for having an affair with his fiancee Katie (Sammy Winward) while Robert never coped with feeling Andy was the most cherished son.
Now, as Andy and Katie have rekindled their relationship and are planning to tie the knot once again, Robert's arrival could be set to jeopardise their big day.
'Emmerdale' series producer Kate Oates said: "I'm delighted to welcome Ryan to the show. Robert is a complex character and when we were looking for someone to take over the role, Ryan had the perfect balance of charm and edge.
"Robert Sugden's life has moved on in many ways...but those ingrained feelings - about his father, Andy, Katie, and the village where he grew up - are sure to find an explosive outlet."
Robert is to return to the dales in scenes set to air in late October.

Shane Richie says viewers will see a different side to Kat Moon in upcoming 'EastEnders' storylines.
The 50-year-old actor stars as Alfie Moon in the BBC One soap and he's revealed his on-screen wife Kat, played by Jessie Wallace, will be seen in a completely different light when a current storyline begins to develop.
Speaking about what is set to happen after Alfie starts a fire in their home without realising Kat is alone upstairs, Shane revealed: "For Jessie's character it really is [life-changing] and for Jessie to play the storyline we've got coming up after this event, for an actress, is brilliant. And it's such a departure from how we know Kat, you know the tart with a heart, heavy make up and it's the complete opposite."
When asked if their relationship could break-up again, he told ITV's 'This Morning': "Yeah, sadly, we don't know."
Shane also confessed he is looking forward to filming scenes for the explosive Christmas episodes as well as the upcoming 30th anniversary and seeing some old characters return.
Speaking on 'The Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw' he said: "I think next week - all the Christmas decorations are now slowly going up this week - so next week we start filming the Christmas episodes. But what we're really excited about is it's coming up to the 30th anniversary.
"I'll be honest with you, I know they're going to be bringing some of the old faces back, but what happens storyline-wise, obviously we find out who killed Lucy [Beale], and then there's a big storyline with Kat and Alfie and a lot of big storylines are going to come together in February for the 30th anniversary."

Jada Pinkett Smith loves exploring her "dark side" in 'Gotham'.
The 42-year-old beauty stars as gang boss Fish Mooney in the upcoming series set in pre-Batman Gotham City, and she's revealed her new character has allowed her to explore different sides of her personality.
She said: "I have loved it because it gives my shadow a place to play...safely. All that shadow in Jada gets to come out and dive into Fish Mooney and have a life.
"This is my dark side because Fish Mooney doesn't have to be good all the time, and it's really fun,
"She's a hot headed little woman and there's a lot more to come."
Jada - who is married to fellow Hollywood star Will Smith - stars alongside former 'The OC' actor Ben McKenzie as James Gordon in the Warner Bros. series, which follows him as he rises from rookie detective to future Police Commissioner.
Speaking about working with 'Sons of Anarchy' actor Donal Logue, who plays his on-screen partner Harvey Bullock, Ben told Yahoo News: "Almost every week there's a case that Harvey and James are trying to solve, which ties into the theme of Gotham falling apart.
"And meanwhile the villains that are to become the icons are around and evolve over time."
'Gotham' is to air on Channel 5 next month.

Harry Reid's first week of filming 'EastEnders' was "one of the scariest" of his life.
The soap newcomer is set to take over the role of Ben Mitchell when he returns to Albert Square next week and he's confessed that while being in the BBC One soap is a dream come true, he found shooting his first scenes nerve-wracking.
Quizzed on what his first day was like, Harry said: "It was quite intimidating and my first week was one of the scariest weeks of my life ... Danny Dyer [Mick Carter] came up to me, and the man's done however many films, and he said, 'It takes a while, mate. You'll get into it'.
"Everyone's been brilliant and so inviting and it's made me feel comfortable to just get on with it."
Ben - who was portrayed by Charlie Jones from 2006 to 2010 and Joshua Pascoe from 2010 to 2012 - is set to return to the square after being released from prison after serving time for the manslaughter of Heather Trott (Cheryl Fergison).
And Harry has admitted he was nervous about working alongside his on-screen father Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and picking up from where another actor left off.
He told Digital Spy: "I was bricking it. Steve's quite intense, as you can tell by his character and he's been doing it for years. It's different to come into this with other actors as a whole family because you can latch on to others, but by yourself, it's a big bit of pressure."

Michelle Keegan says Mark Wright is not just her lover but also her "best friend".
The 'Coronation Street' actress says the former 'The Only Way Is Essex' hunk - who she got engaged to last year - is a great boyfriend because they get on so well with each other.
She told Closer magazine: "He is just perfect. He is my best friend - we're like best mates"
The 27-year-old actress and model admitted that despite them being so close, they struggle to find time to spend with each other, but recently treated themselves to a day out.
She revealed: "We've been so busy and haven't had much time so we just spent a whole day together.
"We went shopping in Harrods, then for a nice meal that night and we sat there and realised we had been engaged for a year that day!"
The loved-up couple are set to be even busier for the rest of the year though, as Mark is spending long hours in training for 'Strictly Come Dancing'.
However, despite having less time to spend together, Michelle has said she is thrilled that her beau is taking part in the series.
She said: "I'm such a huge 'Strictly' fan, so to get to watch it live - and to watch Mark - is really exciting."
She added: "Do I think he can win? I think he's got a good chance!"

Sunetra Sarker is struggling to juggle filming 'Casualty' with her 'Strictly Come Dancing' commitments.
The 44-year-old actress has been working on both shows since it was announced that she would be joining Caroline Flack, Scott Mills, Pixie Lott and 'MasterChef' judge Gregg Wallace on the BBC One celebrity dance contest and she's revealed it's a lot tougher than people may think.
Talking to BANG Showbiz, Sunetra revealed: "Learning the medical words is hard enough, but then learning steps to try and keep it in another part of my memory has been hard ... I found it really hard actually ... using a different part of my brain."
After the BBC decided in 2011 to move the 'Casualty' set from Bristol to Cardiff, the actress - who plays Dr Zoe Hanna on the medical drama - admitted that commuting from Wales to her home in Bristol and then to London to film 'Strictly' has taken its toll and even joked about getting a job on 'Casualty's' sister show 'Holby City', which is filmed at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.
Sunetra shared: "Cardiff, Bristol where I live and London. So there's a lot of trains and planes and driving. Maybe I should go on sabbatical to 'Holby' and then I'll be nearby."

Ricky Gervais has announced plans to make a one-off episode of 'Derek'.
The sitcom has already run for two series and while Gervais admits he considered making a third, he says he ultimately decided to stick to his usual format.
Writing in a blog post, Gervais said: "I did toy with a third series, particularly after the Emmy nod, but I decided to stick to my usual formula of two series and a special."
Gervais made the statement in reference to two of his earlier shows, 'The Office' and 'Extras', both of which had the same format.
As well as writing and starring in 'Derek', Gervais has a number of other projects in the works at the moment, including 'Life on the Road',
the much-anticipated movie that follows the musical exploits of David Brent from 'The Office'.
In a recent interview, Gervais said that he is using his personal experiences of making music to inspire the script.
He told ITV's 'This Morning': "I brought him back briefly for Comic Relief, because people were asking, 'What is he doing now?'
"So it's ten years after 'The Office' and he is currently going up and down the UK selling cleaning products, but he's never let go of that dream of being a popstar!"

Pixie Lott insists there is no rivalry between the 'Strictly Come Dancing' contestants.
The 'Mama Do' hitmaker has confessed that she and her fellow competitors on the BBC One dance contest have been getting on like a house on fire, dismissing rumours there could be cattiness between the female celebrities.
She revealed: "Me and the other Strictly celeb girls have set up our own WhatsApp chat group and we send each other selfies of us in training, as well as just having a gossip.
"It's been really nice."
The 23-year-old beauty - who is dating male model Oliver Cheshire - also revealed she's struck up a particularly close friendship with 'This Morning' reporter Alison Hammond.
Pixie told The Sun newspaper: "I've become good mates with Alison Hammond - she's hilarious, I love her! We've been texting each other. I can't wait to see her when we're back in the studio."
She added: "I knew [The Saturdays singer] Frankie Bridge before, so it's nice to be able to hang out with her, too.
"At the moment all the girls are really supportive of each other - that could change later on."
Meanwhile, Pixie's professional dance partner - Trent Whiddon - has been training her on during her downtime from performing at concerts.
She explained: "At the moment, I'm performing around the country so Trent is travelling with me so we can fit in some training.
"I'm dreading serious dances such as the tango. I'm looking forward to fun dances like the salsa."