‘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."
Rob James-Collier fears Downton Abbey character will be axed
