Downton Abbey executive producer Gareth Neame said today that Gary Carr’s addition to the ITV show “will bring interesting twists to the drama.†The actor has most recently been seen in BBC series Bluestone 42 and Death In Paradise. His Downton character, Jack Ross, is a jazz singer described as “a charming and charismatic†young man. The addition marks the first time Downton has had a black character. The show has in the past faced criticism that it lacks cultural diversity. In the fourth season, he’ll join previously announced new cast members Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Tom Cullen, Julian Ovenden, Nigel Harman, Joanna David and Dame Harriet Walter. The fourth season is currently shooting for air later this year.
via Deadline.com http://www.deadline.com/2013/05/downton-abbey-adds-first-black-character-gary-carr-to-play-jazz-singer/