‘Downton Abbey’ season 6 debate: Should Allen Leech return as Tom Branson?
Now that “Downton Abbey” season 5 is formally at an end, over the next several weeks we will publish some debate articles, designed mostly to tap into what some of the devoted fans of the ITV series are interested in seeing moving forward. (Of course, there are spoilers ahed for American audiences!)
To kick things off, we begin here with what we personally feels is a very sensible question: Should we see more from Allen Leech as Tom Branson? In the Christmas Special, it appeared at least reasonably clear that the character would be saying farewell to the Abbey and heading over to a new and exciting land. Specifically, heading off to Boston with his daughter Sybbie.
One of the benefits to keeping Tom around is ultimately pretty simple: He is an extremely likable character, and he is the biggest rags-to-riches story on the show. He is one of the few who really gives the series a sort of inspirational quality to it; while he did move up in class mostly because of marriage, he has fought hard to show that he deserved it.
However, at the same time we understand why the show chose to shift things around a little bit. Other than struggling to find an identity, the past two seasons have not exactly been lush with Tom stories. For example, we were subjected to Sarah Bunting tales for a while. It may be appropriate for Tom to go off and try to do something else with his life now, while for Leech, this could be an opportunity to take on some different jobs.
Regardless, the important thing to note here is that Tom is not dead. Therefore, he could in theory return at some point.
What do you want to see from Tom on the sixth “Downton Abbey” season, if he even appears at all? Share now with a comment, and also vote in the poll! You can also click here to read our review of the Christmas Special, or head over here for more TV news via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: ITV.)
Marie
December 29, 2014 @ 5:46 pm
While I like Tom’s character it does seem unlikely that an Earl would allow his daughter to marry an Irish hired hand! It was never a likely story to begin with. The child born would be hidden and there would be no Tom upstairs. Lets face it. It is comical to watch politics play into the politically correct Downton. It would never happen in real life. NEVER.
Smithian
December 29, 2014 @ 6:45 pm
Lord Grantham in one of the most infuriatingly and anachronistically nice characters on television. The show didn’t need him to flirt with the idea of having angina to make him add “forgive unmarried daughter pretending her child is her ward” to the long list of ridiculous things he’s decided to be okay with over the last 5 seasons.
dinos
December 30, 2014 @ 12:11 am
12/29/14 5:57p CarterMatt Downton Abbey
Marie: This Series is Fiction, it is not Fact nor Reality. The Series has corrected the rampant prejudices during that period, it is a very good thing. Yes, it is the Socially, Politically right thing to do that, and the injustices were confronted and done away with. Great..
dinos
December 28, 2014 @ 1:51 pm
12/28/14 7:38a CarterMatt Downton Abbey Tom Branson/Allen Leech
I always felt that Tom Branson should resume his Political activities, Isobel Crawley had urged him to do so. He should write for the newspaper that Lady Edith Crawley owns. Tom Branson has a strong connection to Lady Sybil and Matthew Crawley with his daughter Sybbie, you cannot let that go. Julian Fellowes should allow Tom Branson to visit America for a bit but come back right off.
fner perez
December 28, 2014 @ 2:39 am
SPIN-OFF SHOW! A life outside old Downton Abbey with much renewed quest for simple human significance and triumph. That’s who Tom is.