The sequel film to Downton Abbey – A New Era – literally marks a revolution for the Crawley family estate, which will have to deal with the arrival of a film company that has chosen Downton as the location for a silent film – one of the last. This event generates great uproar among the servants, as well as the family. In view of the upcoming release of the film, Robert James-Collier told us what to expect from Thomas Barrow’s character in Downton Abbey 2 – A New Era!
Where do we find the Crawleys and their servants in this second film and how does Barrow fit into this new era of Downton Abbey?
This film starts not long after the end of the last one – about nine months. Everyone is still at Downton and everything is going on as usual, explains Robert James-Collier. Then the family receives a phone call asking them to use Downton as a location for a film and while younger family members like Lady Mary are all for it, Lord Grantham thinks it’s a terrible idea.
“Thomas is now the butler, having survived the Royal visit in the first film, and life is going well for him. Obviously, there’s a lot of excitement downstairs about the film coming to Downton but Barrow doesn’t want the staff to get too excited so he tries to keep them at bay and be professional. He shows nonchalance towards the whole thing until the film’s lead actor Guy Dexter arrives at Downton.”
Robert James-Collier on Thomas Barrow ‘s storyline in Dowton Abbey 2
What is it about Guy Dexter in particular that arouses Barrow’s interest?
The glamour of the film crew arriving proves quite intoxicating for all the servants including Barrow. There’s director Mr Barber, leading lady Myrna Dalgleish and leading man Guy Dexter. People we have only seen on screen and then Thomas strikes up a friendship with Guy Dexter that seems to come out of nowhere. Dexter is very helpful, very funny, friendly and open and Barrow feels drawn to him.
Robert James-Collier on Barrow ‘s love interest in Downton Abbey 2
How much do you interact with the guest cast?
Dominic West plays matinee idol Guy Dexter, who stars in The Gambler and befriends Thomas. Then there is Laura Haddock who plays the female lead Myrna Dalgleish, and then Hugh Dancy who plays the film’s director Jack Barber. Barrow stays at Downton when the family leaves for France so a lot of the interaction is with these three guest actors, which is a lot of fun. It’s always nice to have new actors join the cast because they bring an air of newness to the set and they protect us from sitting on our laurels, especially when we’re playing an actor as good as Dominic West.
Robert James-Collier on the characters he interacts with most in the film
Given the extraordinary success of the first film, how do you think the second one has been enhanced to make sure it reaches those heights again?
I think the second film will bring back everything that fans love about Downton: their favourite characters that they have grown to love over the years, the lavish settings and wonderful costumes, the pathos, the relationships, the emotions, the mystery and the laughter. People love Downton for its simplicity. It calls to mind a time when the world was a simpler place. I think there are more of the same because this formula really works. It wasn’t made to explore new cinematic territory, but that’s not what it needs to do. It offers escapism, which is what people need now more than ever.
Robert James-Collier
What is it about Julian’s writing that continues to attract audiences?
In Downton Abbey, Julian does what he does best. He gives every character a run for their money. Something happens to all of them. Then, not content with two story lines running simultaneously, he also throws in a film within a film to spice things up, with all the difficulties that set within set and our crew bring, and chapeau to them for pulling it off.
Robert James-Collier
Downton Abbey A New Era is coming out only in theatres May 20 – but we got an exclusive first look!
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