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Rob James-Collier

Born September 23, 1976 (Libra)

Despite playing a less than desirable character on Downton Abbey, there’s no denying Rob James Collier is downright desirable. You might remember his stint on Coronation Street from 2006-2008 playing heartthrob Liam. It’s no wonder he won the Sexiest Male award at the 2007 and 2008 British Soap Awards. James-Collier’s popularity and good looks got him work for Argos, where he appeared in two of their catalogues while working on Coronation Street.

James-Collier was born in Stockport, Greater Manchester. Before acting, he earned two degrees. He studied business at Huddersfield and marketing at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. James-Collier came into acting quite by chance. A friend of his was shooting a film and one of the actors didn’t show up. The friend asked Rob to fill in. After the experience, James-Collier found an acting coach in the Yellow Pages and started taking acting classes after work.

Downton Abbey costs an average of one million pounds per episode to produce.

As of 2013, Downton Abbey is the highest rated PBS "Masterpiece" drama series of all time, seen by an estimated 120 million viewers in 200 countries and regions.

Gillian Anderson reportedly turned down the part of Lady Cora Grantham.

The real estate that "plays" Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle, has been the home of the Carnarvon family since 1679. In 1922, George Herbert, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, co-discovered the Tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun. On the show, the names of the Earl of Grantham's beloved dogs, Isis and Pharaoh, are nods to the real castle's connection to Egyptian history.

According to Julian Fellowes, the parts played by Hugh Bonneville, Brendan Coyle and Maggie Smith were written for the actors.

It was reported that Steven Waddington auditioned for the part of Bates.

When Downton Abbey first aired, Julian Fellowes (creator and producer) was annoyed at the media for pointing out anachronisms like TV aerials and the use of the word 'boyfriend'. (The word 'boyfriend appeared in print in 1889, long before the period setting of Downton). Fellowes said "they think to show how smart they are by picking holes in the program to promote their own poshness and to show that their knowledge is greater than your knowledge". In a later article coinciding with the start of the second season, Fellowes apologised and commented "I behaved rather badly by getting the hump."

Rob James-Collier

Downton Abbey Trivia

Hunks of Downton Abbey

Extras

Shirley Maclaine Interview