Robert James-Collier

Robert James-Collier (born 23 September 1976[2][3]) (known professionally as Rob James-Collier) is a British actor. He is known for his roles as Thomas Barrow in Downton Abbey and as Liam Connor in Coronation Street.

Robert James-Collier
James-Collier in May 2014
Born
Robert James Collier

(1976-09-23) 23 September 1976
Salford, Greater Manchester, England
OccupationActor
Years active2005–present
Children1[1]

Early life

James-Collier was born in Salford, Greater Manchester,[4] as Robert James Collier, but hyphenated his middle name and surname to form a new surname in order to comply with the rules of Equity and avoid confusion with another actor whose name was Robert Collier.[5] He was educated at St Patrick's Roman Catholic High School in Eccles, Greater Manchester.[6][7]

He studied business at the University of Huddersfield for his bachelor's degree, and later obtained a master's degree in marketing at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology.[8]

Career

Acting

Having no experience as an actor, James-Collier auditioned for the series Down to Earth. Stars Ricky Tomlinson and Denise Welch were convinced by his talent, and he got the part of the womanising pub landlord. In 2006, he appeared in New Street Law and played a small part as 'Stud' in Shameless series 3, episode 5 under the name of Rob Collier.

In 2006, he joined Coronation Street as Liam Connor, joint owner of the Underworld factory. He left the show in October 2008. In an interview in early-2008, he announced he would leave the soap but planned to return.[9] However, in June 2008, it was reported that the character of Liam was set to be 'brutally' killed off as part of a murder-mystery plotline where three well-known residents fell under suspicion for the crime.[10]

After leaving Coronation Street, James-Collier achieved international recognition as the scheming, lonely gay footman (and later under-butler) Thomas Barrow in the historical drama series Downton Abbey (2010–2015), subsequently appearing in the franchise's two feature films, Downton Abbey (2019) and Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022).

He played Kevin O'Dowd in ITV's 2016 crime drama, The Level. In 2017, he starred in British horror film, The Ritual;[11] The Guardian described his performance as "a fierce screen presence."[12][13] He had a principal role in the "Cold River" episode of Vera, aired in 2018.

In 2019, it was announced that he was cast in the third series of Channel 4 school-drama Ackley Bridge as Martin Evershed.[14]

In September 2023, James-Collier starred in the Channel 5 drama series The Inheritance, appearing alongside Samantha Bond, Jemima Rooper, Gaynor Faye and Adil Ray.[15]

Modelling

James-Collier modelled for Argos, where he appeared in the Autumn/Winter 2007 and Spring/Summer 2008 catalogues.

Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
2011 Mercenaries Callum
2012 Spike Island Mr Milligan
2013 Wayland's Song John
2015 A Christmas Star Pat McKerrod
2016 The Attendant Alex Short film
2017 The Ritual Hutch
2019 Nancy Nancy's father Short film[16]
Downton Abbey Thomas Barrow
2022 Downton Abbey: A New Era
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2005 Perfect Day Alex Television film
2005 Down to Earth Nicky Christy 10 episodes
2006 Shameless Stud/Jim Episode #3.5
2006 Casualty Martin Stonewall Episode: "Secrets and Lies"
2006 Dalziel and Pascoe Simon Thewlis Episode 1: "The Cave Woman"
Credited as "Rob Collier"[17]
2006–2008 Coronation Street Liam Connor 330 episodes;
Won – Best Exit – British Soap Awards
Won – Sexiest Male (2008) – Inside Soap Awards
Won – Sexiest Male (2007) – Inside Soap Awards
2010–2015 Downton Abbey Thomas Barrow 52 episodes;
Won – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance
by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (2012-14)
2011 Moving On Clive Episode: "The Milkman"
2012 Love Life Joe Main role
2013 Moving On Aiden Evans Episode: "Visiting Order"
2016 The Level Kevin O'Dowd 6 episodes
2018 Urban Myths Colonel Archie Christie Episode: "Agatha Christie"
2019 Vera Richard Episode: "Cold River"
2019 Death in Paradise Oliver Carr Episode: "Murder on the Honore Express"
2019–2022 Ackley Bridge Martin Evershed Main role
2021–2022 Fate: The Winx Saga Saul Silva 14 episodes
2023 The Inheritance Daniel 4 episodes; Channel 5 drama series
The Long Shadow DCS Jack Ridgeway Episodes 4 and 5

Awards

He won the Sexiest Male award at the 2007 and 2008 British Soap Awards in addition to "Best Exit" at the 2009 British Soap Awards. He won Sexiest Male and Best Newcomer at the 2007 Inside Soap Awards.

References
  1. "These Are the Downton Abbey Cast's Actual Partners". 13 April 2022.
  2. YorkshireLive (30 October 2012). "My life in Downton Abbey by former Huddersfield student Rob James-Collier". YorkshireLive. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  3. Rozen, Leah. "Brits with Birthdays: 'Downton's Rob James-Collier Adds a Year, and More". BBC America. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  4. men Administrator (19 February 2007). "Unknown Rob flies the Co-op". men. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  5. "Corrie's latest bad boy". Manchester Evening News. 17 April 2010.
  6. Lockyer, Daphne (13 March 2012). "Rob James Collier steps out from Downton Abbey". Daily Express. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
  7. "School goes to top of class". Manchester Evening News. 18 April 2010.
  8. "Up stairs down". The Northern Echo. 23 September 2010. Archived from the original on 26 September 2010. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
  9. Soaps – News – 'Liam' quits Corrie over "typecast" fears – Digital Spy
  10. Soaps – News – Corrie favourite killed in "whodunnit" murder – Digital Spy
  11. McCormick, Joseph Patrick (7 October 2017). "Hollyoaks star hits back after Downton Abbey actor said playing gay hurt his career". pinknews.co.uk. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
  12. The Ritual review – lads' weekend turns surreal in lost-in-the-woods Brit horror – The Guardian
  13. Rob James-Collier on horror films, Downton Abbey and waltzing with Dame Maggie Smith – Radio Times
  14. "Ackley Bridge series three casts Corrie and Downton star Rob James-Collier". Metro. 16 January 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  15. Robinson, Abby (4 September 2023). "The Inheritance cast: Meet the characters in Channel 5 drama". Radio Times. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  16. "Nancy – Short Film 2019". youtu.be. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  17. "Dalziel & Pascoe, S11E1 - The Cave Woman". BritBox. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
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