Are you missing O'Brien? ‘Loads. I loved the dynamic and the audience did too. I love Siobhan [Finneran, who plays O’Brien] – such a funny person and the best actor I’ve ever worked with. I learnt everything i know from her. I’m an inferior male version of O’Brien.’
Who is Thomas going to plot and smoke with? ‘Thomas has to get a new partner in crime. There’s someone he brings in who he’s blackmailing and we don’t know why he's got a hold over them. This essentially lovely person has to do these horrendous things. He’s manipulated his ladyship – which, lets face it, isn’t hard – and I don’t know what the thing he’s got on this person is. In my head, she used to be a prostitute. So he’s using her as his eyes and ears.’
What is Thomas trying to achieve? ‘He’s got to the top of the tree but he’s still being evil. So here’s my theory. We found out why he is how he is: every day, he’s branded a pervert by society and going to hell thanks to his religion. You’re going to be a bit pissy to your fellow man, we can forgive him that. Bates saved him, his lordship stepped in – but to save Downton, not Thomas. Now it’s swept under the carpet – Thomas isn’t being nice to Bates, because the worst thing that could happen in his life is for his nemesis to turn out to be his saviour. Bates has got everything. He sits drinking his tea smugly and Thomas has to look at that. Of course he's going to get more evil!’
Do you get booed in public? ‘I don’t get served in post offices. Honestly! No, it's pantomime-esque. They love me ’cos I’m in Downton, even if it’s only because I’ve got lovely hair and can’t act. They love the show, ergo they love me.’
He doesn’t like Nanny West [the new nanny to Tom and Mary’s children]… ‘He doesn’t like snobs. He’s not going be a role model, he’s more modern and believes in a meritocracy. He doesn’t want to take orders from her.’
Ed Speleers [who plays Jimmy] reckons Thomas and Jimmy might open a gay bar… ‘Well, that was the pitch, with Molesley as the DJ, playing nothing but The Smiths and “Ghost Town” by The Specials. Really grungy.’
