Robert James-Collier


Robert James-Collier is an English actor and model. He is known for his roles as Thomas Barrow in Downton Abbey and as Liam Connor in Coronation Street.

Early life

James-Collier was born in Salford, Greater Manchester, as Robert Collier, but changed his name to Robert James-Collier to comply with the rules of Equity and avoid confusion with another actor of that earlier name. He was educated at St Patrick's Roman Catholic High School in Eccles, Greater Manchester.
James-Collier has two degrees; he studied business at the University of Huddersfield and marketing at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology.

Career

Acting

Having no experience as an actor, 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, buying a share of the Underworld factory with his brother Paul. He left the show in October 2008. In an interview in early-2008, James-Collier announced he was leaving the soap but was planning to come back in the future. However, in June 2008, it was reported that the character of Liam was set to be 'brutally' killed off in the soap as part of a murder-mystery plotline where three well known residents would fall under suspicion for the crime. One of these would be Tony Gordon played by Gray O'Brien, who was in a relationship with Carla Connor played by Alison King in the show.
After leaving Coronation Street, James-Collier had a leading role as under butler Thomas Barrow in Downton Abbey, from 2010-15, and has appeared in the West End stage version of Calendar Girls.
James-Collier played Kevin O'Dowd in ITV's 2016 crime drama, The Level. In 2017, James-Collier starred in British horror film, The Ritual, in which The Guardian described his performance as "a fierce screen presence". He will also play a small role in Jessica Hynes directorial debut, The Fight. He had a principal role in the "Cold River" episode of Vera aired in 2018.
In 2019, it was announced that James-Collier had been cast in the third series of Channel 4 school-drama Ackley Bridge'' as Martin Evershed.

Modelling

James-Collier modelled for Argos, where he appeared in the Autumn/Winter 2007 and Spring/Summer 2008 catalogues.
He won the Sexiest Male award at the 2007 and 2008 British Soap Awards in addition to "Best Exit" at the 2009 British Soap Awards. He won Sexiest Male and Best Newcomer at the 2007 Inside Soap Awards.

Filmography

YearFilmRoleNotes
2005Perfect DayAlexTelevision film
2005Down to EarthNicky ChristyRecurring role; 10 episodss
2006ShamelessStud/Jim1 episode: "Episode No. 3.5"
2006CasualtyMartin Stonewall1 episode: "Secrets and Lies"
2006Dalziel and PascoeSimon Thewlis1 episode: "The Cave Woman: Part 2"
2006–2008Coronation StreetLiam ConnorSeries regular; 330 episodes;
Won – Best Exit – British Soap Awards
Won – Sexiest Male – Inside Soap Awards
Won – Sexiest Male – Inside Soap Awards
2010–2015Downton AbbeyThomas BarrowMain role;
Won – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
2011'Moving On'Clive1 episode: "The Milkman"
2012Love LifeJoeMain role
2013'Moving On'Aiden Evans1 episode: "Visiting Order"
2016'The Level'Kevin O'DowdMain role
2016The AttendantAlexShort film
2018Urban MythsColonel Archie ChristieEpisode: "Agatha Christie"
2019VeraRichardEpisode: "Cold River"
2019Death in ParadiseOliver Carr1 episode
2019–presentAckley BridgeMartin EvershedMain role
2019NancyShort film
2020Silva6 episodes