‘Downton Abbey’ season 4 spoilers: First black character reportedly being cast
For those of you out there who were clamoring to see some more racial diversity on “Downton Abbey” season 4, we have some great news coming in for you now: your wish is seemingly being granted.
According to a new report from The Sun, the series is in the process of casting its first-ever black character named Jack Ross, and he will play an integral role not only in helping to introduce the subject of race relations in the 1920s, but also the way in which times are changing now for some of these members of high society.
The casting notes reportedly describe the character in the following manner:
“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. Overall he should be a very attractive man with a certain wow factor.”
This is the second “Downton Abbey” character that has been hinted at for season 4, and he joins the new love interest for Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) in Lord Anthony Gillingham. The report also claims that the series is casting a man with an affinity for parties by the name Sir John Bullock, but there is less known about this character than either of the other two.
“Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellowes suggested in the past several months that he was interested in adding more diversity to the show this season, and now that so many other themes have been touched on including the war and the financial state of the residence, now may seem like the best time to touch on what is in many households a sensitive topic.
If these reports are true, do you like the new characters being introduced to the show? Be sure to share your thoughts below, and you can also visit the link here to check out what both Laura Carmichael and Allen Leech have to say about season 4.
Photo: ITV
Harriet
March 2, 2013 @ 8:35 pm
Many blacks were in Europe. After all, slavery ended in Great Britain before it did in the U.S. so it stands to reason that it would be better to be overseas! The only problem I’ll have with a black character being added is if he is the only one. Most shows stick us in all by ourselves as if we were actually born in a cabbage patch with no relatives who look like us. And if this singing (why must we always be able to sing???) Jack Ross winds up with white Rose, I’ll probably fast forward a lot. I’d much rather he be a doctor or something with, God forbid, a BLACK wife. A doctor who has come up with some medical breakthrough that could save many lives. Like blood plasma. Open heart surgery. Things that wouldn’t appear PC because we really did come up with them.
Sybil
February 26, 2013 @ 10:27 am
Great so now we have to be all PC.
So much for historical accuracy. Of course that does not bring in the $$$ for old Fellowes.