Last week we brought you the background of the cast and characters of the family of Downton Abbey.This week just in time for tonights finale on PBS here is a summary of the staff cast and characters. Don’t forget to watch tonight at 9pm EST.
The Staff
Jim Carter (Charles Carson,Butler)
Actor Jim Carter is married to actress Imelda Staunton (Harry Potter).Born in Yorkshire England he is a film and television actor whose film credits include Shakespeare in Love, The Little Vampire, Ella Enchanted, and The Golden Compass. His television work includes Lipstick on Your Collar, Cracker,The Singing Detective and Red Riding.
Playing the Butler in Downton Abbey Carters character is a prominent in every episode and is the staunch and reliable member of staff often having to keep a watch over the rest of the house staff to make sure everything is running smoothly.
Pictured: Jim Carter
Phyllis Logan (Mrs Elsie Hughes,Housekeeper)
Logan is a Scottish actress and has worked on stage , film and television.She won a BAFTA in 1984 for Outstanding Newcomer to Film for Another Time, Another Place. She has also been seen in Mike Leigh film Secrets & Lies and in television series Lovejoy as Lady Jane Felsham.
Playing the Head Housekeeper at Downton Abbey Logan’s character is hard and stern but loyal to the family. Although called Mrs Hughes she is not married and never has been, it was appropriate at the time for housekeepers to be referred to as Mrs.
Pictured: Phyllis Logan
Lesley Nicol (Mrs Patmore,Cook)
Nicol is a British stage and television actress who is most known for her role as Mrs Beaver in the BBC adaptation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. She also played Rosie in the West End production of Mamma Mia! from 2000 to 2002.
Pictured: Lesley Nicol
Brendan Coyle (John Bates,Earl Grantham’s Valet)
Coyle was born in Northamptonshire, he holds both Irish and British citizenship with an Irish father and Scottish mother. He is a film and television actor and in 2001, played Gestapo Chief Heinrich Müller in the film Conspiracy. He has also appeared in True Dare Kiss and North and South.
Coyle plays the Valet to the Earl Of Grantham, he is a proud character who will not let his disability affect his work, although it often does leaving the other staff to help much to their discontent. So far not a popular man in house he is resented by some staff for getting a prestigious job when he doesn’t seem to be capable of carrying out all the duties.However it turns out he is an old army colleague of the Earls and as such the Earl is very loyal to him.
Pictured: Brendan Coyle
Siobhan Finneran (Sarah O’Brien,Lady Grantham’s Lady’s maid)
Finneran is a British TV and film actress whose first role was as Rita in 1986′s Rita, Sue and Bob Too and since 2007 has appeared regularly on British comedy Benidorm.
Playing the Lady of the houses personal maid, Finneran’s Character is stern but honest. A perfectionist she is looking to make sure that her job is completed perfectly while sometimes harsh to the other staff she has a gentle kinder side.
Pictured: Rose Leslie and Siobhan Finneran
Rob James-Collier (Thomas,First Footman)
James-Collier is a model and actor best known for his role in British soap opera Coronation Street. He won the Sexiest Male award at the 2007 and 2008 British Soap Awards and he also won Sexiest Male and Best Newcomer at the 2007 Inside Soap Awards. He has two degrees; one in business and one in marketing.
Playing the important role of first footman, his character is manipulative, and egotistical.He believes he is the best worker on staff and is eager to be promoted, often trying to sabotage his own colleagues to make them look bad. But he is hiding his own secret, spoiler alert…his character is secretly gay.
Pictured: Thomas Howes and Rob James-Collier
Thomas Howes (William Mason,Second Footman)
Born in 1986 Downton Abbey is Howes best known role.He trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.Playing the second and younger footman, Howes character is a gentle soul with a crush on the scullery maid.
Joanne Froggatt (Anna Smith, Head Housemaid)
A British television actress Froggatt has had many roles. Making her debut in the long running (since cancelled) TV show The Bill and then went on to play Zoe Tattersall in Coronation Street amongst many other things. Playing the Head Housemaid she is dedicated to her job and kind hearted. She reveals she is in love with Bates the Earls Valet.
Pictured: Joanne Froggatt
Rose Leslie (Gwen Dawson,Housemaid)
A Scottish actress born in Aberdeen, she made her debut in 2009 in a TV film New Town for which she won a Scottish BAFTA Award for New Talent. Downton Abbey is her first major TV role. Rose character has ambitions of leaving Downton Abbey and becoming a secretary.
Sophie McShera (Daisy,Kitchen/scullery maid)
Sophie McShera born 1985 in Yorkshire is a British TV and theater actress.She has appeared in British soap operas Emmerdale and Doctors and appeared in the drama Survivors. Playing the young and naive scullery maid her character is a sweet girl who tries her hardest to please but not always with a good end result.
