One of the most difficult characters to pin down in "Downton Abbey" is Robert James Collier's Mr. Barrow, who manages to go from being the bad guy to the good guy, then back to being the bad guy in an instant.
Back in season 1, he was the character everybody loved to hate because he was always so haughty and mean, and Collier said that he would have been happy if they maintained Mr. Barrow as the show's villain throughout all of the season. However, he also likes the direction creator Julian Fellowes gave his character.
"I'm so glad that Julian told his story, not because he was gay - that's not a big story these days. But he was gay at a time when it was illegal and against God," he told the Huffington Post UK. "You would go to mass and be told that sodomy meant you'd burn in hell. These things inform why Thomas is why he is and there's a lot of drama there to tell his story. We've seen the result of why he is like he is, but it's great to tell the audience why there is nastiness and bitterness."
Now in season 6, he has even become somewhat like a "tragic hero," especially because of his attachment for Downton Abbey. However, they were keen on him finding a new job, and that is why he committed suicide when he failed to secure one.
"With Thomas, he goes to extremes," he said. "We go on this tragic journey with him."
The actor shared that he knew Thomas was gay since he was auditioning for the role, and he made a personal decision to use his character's sexuality as a reason for him always lashing out on people.
For Collier, the highlight of doing "Downton Abbey" was getting to dance with Dame Maggie Smith, who portrays the feisty Dowager Countess in the series.
"Dancing with Dame Maggie Smith in the first Christmas Special was an epic moment. I did a business degree and didn't take my first acting job until I was 28 and there I was at 35 dancing with a two-time Oscar winner!" he gushed. "If someone had told that I'd be doing a waltz with Dame Maggie - and that I'd stand on her toe in one take and that she'd give me a funny look - I'd have said, 'No chance!' She's a film icon."
