Lady Mary invites you into a Downton Abbey post!
DOWNTON Abbey is introducing its first black character as part of a storyline about race relations in the 1920s.
The award-winning stately home drama is seeking an actor to play musician Jack Ross.
Casting notes were sent out to actors’ agents earlier this month. They describe Ross as “Male, 25-30. A musician (singer) at an exclusive club in the 20s.
“He’s black and very handsome. A real man (not a boy) with charm and charisma.”
Whoever lands the role should “ideally be able to sing brilliantly”. The notes add: “Overall he should be a very attractive man with a certain wow factor.” Jack Ross will play a key part in the fourth series of the hit TV saga alongside a string of other fresh faces.
Lady Mary Crawley gets a new love interest — dashing Lord Anthony Gillingham.
The character also helps the family with their money woes, so he could be a big hit with Mary’s father, the Earl of Grantham, played by Hugh Bonneville. In casting notes, the character is described as a “good looking, very charismatic” 35 to 45-year-old with a “perfect cut glass accent. He’s warm and charming, but also a strong man with morals.”
Another new character is a party-loving cad called Sir John Bullock who “must be able to act drunk”.
Filming on Downton is due to start on March 23.
source
Filming started a couple of weeks ago, so idk what that bit about filming starting March 23 is about.
I'm guessing the black man will be tied to Edith's story? Because she'll be in London more as a writer and thus might be more likely to meet a musician? Also he sounds like a one-episode character. I doubt he'll be a regular.