“Downton Abbey” star Rob James Collier says his gay footman character will be involved in secret affair

Now that I’m hopelessly hooked on Downton Abbey and cannot wait for season 3 to begin airing in the US in January, you’ll probably be seeing more posts about the show here on Greg In Hollywood.

Honestly, I think it’s my favorite thing on TV right now.

So, footman Thomas spent season two of the show dealing with aftermath of World War I but faithful fans have not forgotten that the ambitious troublemaker is also gay.

Rob James Collier, the actor who plays Thomas, assures fans that his character’s sexuality will once again be in the mix when the series returns for its third season next month in the UK. (The new episodes will not air in the US until January 2013).

‘It’s a very emotional storyline and goes some way to explaining why he is how he is.’ Collier tells The Sun. ‘Being a homosexual man in Edwardian times was against God and you could go to prison for it. It’s a burden and the audience will hopefully empathize with him.’

The actor hints that his new love interest is going to be the new footman in the manor played by Ed Speleers.

‘Thomas takes him under his wing and looks after him,’ Collier says. ‘Knowing Thomas and knowing he has a preference for a certain type of person in life, I think Jimmy fits that bill perfectly.’