Robert James-Collier (born 23 September 1976[2][3]), sometimes billed as Rob James-Collier, is a British actor widely known for his roles as Liam Connor in Coronation Street, Thomas Barrow in Downton Abbey, and Martin Evershed in Ackley Bridge.
Robert James-Collier | |
|---|---|
 James-Collier in May 2014 | |
| Born | Robert James Collier 23 September 1976 Salford, Greater Manchester, England |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Children | 1[1] |
Early life
editJames-Collier was born in Salford, Greater Manchester,[4] as Robert James Collier. When he became an actor, he hyphenated his middle name and surname to form a new surname, to comply with the rules of Equity and avoid confusion with another actor named Robert Collier.[5]
James-Collier was educated at St Patrick's Roman Catholic High School in Eccles, Greater Manchester.[6][7] He studied business at the University of Huddersfield for his bachelor's degree, and later obtained a master's degree in marketing at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology.[8]
Career
editActing
editWith no acting experience, James-Collier auditioned for the series Down to Earth. Stars Ricky Tomlinson and Denise Welch were convinced by his talent, and he got the part of the womanising pub landlord. In 2006, he appeared in New Street Law and played a small part as 'Stud' in Shameless series 3, episode 5 under the name of Rob Collier.
In 2006, he joined Coronation Street as Liam Connor, joint owner of the Underworld factory. He left the show in October 2008. In an interview in early 2008, he announced he would leave the soap but planned to return.[9] However, in June 2008, it was reported that the character of Liam was set to be 'brutally' killed off as part of a murder-mystery plotline where three well-known residents fell under suspicion for the crime.[10]
After leaving Coronation Street, James-Collier achieved international recognition as the scheming, lonely gay footman (and later under-butler) Thomas Barrow in the historical drama series Downton Abbey (2010–2015), subsequently appearing in the franchise's two feature films, Downton Abbey (2019) and Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022).
He played Kevin O'Dowd in ITV's 2016 crime drama, The Level. In 2017, he starred in British horror film, The Ritual;[11] The Guardian described his performance as "a fierce screen presence."[12][13] He had a principal role in the "Cold River" episode of Vera, aired in 2018.
In 2019, it was announced that he was cast in the third series of Channel 4 school-drama Ackley Bridge as Martin Evershed.[14]
In September 2023, James-Collier starred in the Channel 5 drama series The Inheritance, appearing alongside Samantha Bond, Jemima Rooper, Gaynor Faye and Adil Ray.[15]
Modelling
editJames-Collier modelled for British catalogue retailer Argos, appearing in the Autumn/Winter 2007 and Spring/Summer 2008 catalogues.
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Mercenaries | Callum | |
| 2012 | Spike Island | Mr Milligan | |
| 2013 | Wayland's Song | John | |
| 2015 | A Christmas Star | Pat McKerrod | |
| 2016 | The Attendant | Alex | Short film |
| 2017 | The Ritual | Hutch | |
| 2019 | Nancy | Nancy's father | Short film[16] |
| Downton Abbey | Thomas Barrow | ||
| 2022 | Downton Abbey: A New Era | ||
| 2025 | Untitled Downton Abbey: A New Era sequel |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Perfect Day | Alex | Television film |
| 2005 | Down to Earth | Nicky Christy | 10 episodes |
| 2006 | Shameless | Stud/Jim | Episode #3.5 |
| 2006 | Casualty | Martin Stonewall | Episode: "Secrets and Lies" |
| 2006 | Dalziel and Pascoe | Simon Thewlis | Episode 1: "The Cave Woman" Credited as "Rob Collier"[17] |
| 2006–2008 | Coronation Street | Liam Connor | 330 episodes; Won – Best Exit – British Soap Awards Won – Sexiest Male (2008) – Inside Soap Awards Won – Sexiest Male (2007) – Inside Soap Awards |
| 2010–2015 | Downton Abbey | Thomas Barrow | 52 episodes; Won – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (2012-14) |
| 2011 | Moving On | Clive | Episode: "The Milkman" |
| 2012 | Love Life | Joe | Main role |
| 2013 | Moving On | Aiden Evans | Episode: "Visiting Order" |
| 2016 | The Level | Kevin O'Dowd | 6 episodes |
| 2018 | Urban Myths | Colonel Archie Christie | Episode: "Agatha Christie" |
| 2019 | Vera | Richard | Episode: "Cold River" |
| 2019 | Death in Paradise | Oliver Carr | Episode: "Murder on the Honore Express" |
| 2019–2022 | Ackley Bridge | Martin Evershed | Main role |
| 2021–2022 | Fate: The Winx Saga | Saul Silva | 14 episodes |
| 2023 | The Inheritance | Daniel | 4 episodes; Channel 5 drama series |
| The Long Shadow | DCS Jack Ridgeway | Episodes 4 and 5 | |
| 2024 | Generation Z | Michael | 6 episodes |
Awards
editFor his role as Liam Connor on Coronation Street, James-Collier won "Best Newcomer" and "Sexiest Male" at the 2007 Inside Soap Awards.[18] James-Collier won the Sexiest Male award at the 2007 and 2008 British Soap Awards in addition to "Best Exit" at the 2009 British Soap Awards.
References
edit- ^ "These Are the Downton Abbey Cast's Actual Partners". 13 April 2022.
- ^ YorkshireLive (30 October 2012). "My life in Downton Abbey by former Huddersfield student Rob James-Collier". YorkshireLive. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
- ^ Rozen, Leah. "Brits with Birthdays: 'Downton's Rob James-Collier Adds a Year, and More". BBC America. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
- ^ men Administrator (19 February 2007). "Unknown Rob flies the Co-op". men. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
- ^ "Corrie's latest bad boy". Manchester Evening News. 17 April 2010.
- ^ Lockyer, Daphne (13 March 2012). "Rob James Collier steps out from Downton Abbey". Daily Express. Retrieved 12 January 2015.
- ^ "School goes to top of class". Manchester Evening News. 18 April 2010.
- ^ "Up stairs down". The Northern Echo. 23 September 2010. Archived from the original on 26 September 2010. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
- ^ Soaps – News – 'Liam' quits Corrie over "typecast" fears – Digital Spy
- ^ Soaps – News – Corrie favourite killed in "whodunnit" murder – Digital Spy
- ^ McCormick, Joseph Patrick (7 October 2017). "Hollyoaks star hits back after Downton Abbey actor said playing gay hurt his career". pinknews.co.uk. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
- ^ The Ritual review – lads' weekend turns surreal in lost-in-the-woods Brit horror – The Guardian
- ^ Rob James-Collier on horror films, Downton Abbey and waltzing with Dame Maggie Smith – Radio Times
- ^ "Ackley Bridge series three casts Corrie and Downton star Rob James-Collier". Metro. 16 January 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
- ^ Robinson, Abby (4 September 2023). "The Inheritance cast: Meet the characters in Channel 5 drama". Radio Times. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
- ^ "Nancy – Short Film 2019". youtu.be. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
- ^ "Dalziel & Pascoe, S11E1 - The Cave Woman". BritBox. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
- ^ Green, Kris (3 July 2007). "Inside Soap Awards 2007: The Nominations". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 9 July 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
External links
edit
Media related to Rob James-Collier at Wikimedia Commons- Rob James-Collier at IMDb
