Laura Carmichael And Allen Leech On Downton Abbey: A New Era And More

Allen, I want to turn to you with some questions directed at Tom’s journey throughout the film, but also in the series in a larger sense as well. We’ve watched him rise through the professional and personal ranks. We’ve seen him suffer. Now, in the film, as you said, his daughter’s inheriting this amazing villa. In what ways [has] Tom’s development over all these years surprised you and challenged you as an actor?

Leech: It’s been lovely to play those scenes that Julian wrote because Tom had to stay, in a way — he had no choice. It’s always been interesting, and I’ve always tried to hold onto that sense of who he was when he arrived. He had incredibly strong, and at the time, fairly radical political views. I’ve always tried to keep a sense of the fact that he was always for the common person, the common working man or woman. That’s always been the joy of playing this character because he also has been the eyes of the audience, I feel, especially if you’re outside of the UK and outside of an understanding of the social structure. A bit like Tom, you’re looking at this thing and being like, “What’s going on?” It does seem very, very strange.

I really tried to keep that sense of not giving up on who he was and not being completely enveloped in this world. At times, I even struggled with the line, “It looks like, Tom, you’re a leopard who truly has changed his spots.” They asked me to — in the script, it says, “and Tom laughs,” and I didn’t, because I don’t think he will. He did and I don’t think he is that person.

Carmichael: No.

Leech: He would say he’s not, he’s someone who’s adapted, but he certainly hasn’t changed who he is.

Focus Features will release “Downton Abbey: A New Era” in theaters on May 20, 2022.

This interview has been edited for clarity. 

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