The Downton Abbey below stairs relationship guide Passions are simmering, from love to lust to envy and revenge... but who loves - or hates - whom? (RADIO TIMES)

Mr Carson, butler: He sang for joy when Mrs Hughes didn’t have cancer. “She is the only one who sees behind his mask of propriety,” says actor Jim Carter. “The nation is willing it to a happen.”

Mrs Hughes, housekeeper: After she refused the proposal of a farmer, “Mr Carson keeps her heart beating,” admits actress Phyllis Logan. “They have a rapport but who knows if it goes beyond that…”

Thomas Barrow, valet: “He’s always been an outsider because of his homosexuality,” explains actor Rob James-Collier. “This series he lets someone into his heart and is hugely affected.”

Jimmy Kent, footman: New boy Jimmy has set hearts-a-flutter. “He’s not really looking for love,” says actor Ed Speleers. “He takes advantage of every opportunity that comes his way.”

Ivy Stuart, kitchen maid: “Ivy fancies the pants off Jimmy,” says new cast member Cara Theobold. “He flirts back, making her think she has a chance. So she has no interest in sweet, kind Alfred.”




READ MORE: http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-10-21/the-downton-abbey-below-stairs-relationship-guide

Downton set for downstairs love triangle Monday 20 August 2012 (RTE)

Downton Abbey's Rob James-Collier has said that his character, Thomas, will fall for a new member of staff in season three of the period drama. James-Collier plays the scheming valet in the series who is set to fall for new footman Jimmy Kent played by Ed Speleers.

"He comes into it as a bit of a mystery man - no one really quite knows who he's into. But as the series develops he gets himself into a couple of sticky situations.

"He actually realises that in order to succeed he's got to keep in with Thomas, because Thomas is directly above him and a valet is what Jimmy aspires to be. He doesn't know what the viewers know - and have known for the last two series."

The new scullery maid Ivy, played by Cara Theobold also falls for Jimmy.

READ MORE: http://www.rte.ie/ten/2012/0820/downtonabbey.html

'Downton Abbey' Season 3: Ed Speleers cast as a footman (ZAP 2 IT)

By Andrea Reiher
 March 22, 2012 11:20 AM ET
Follow @andrealeigh203 on Twitter

Mr. Carson better be ready for the new trainees he's acquiring in Season 3 of "Downton Abbey." It was previously announced that Matt Milne ("War Horse") has been cast as a new footman named Alfred. Now Digital Spy is reporting that Ed Speleers has been cast as the second new footman, Jimmy.

 Speleers has most notably starred as the title character in "Eragon," alongside Jeremy Irons, Robert Carlyle and John Malkovich. He also starred on U.K. television series "Echo Beach."


READ MORE:  http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2012/03/downton-abbey-season-3-ed-speleers-cast-as-a-footman.html

The Top Ten Rising Brit Stars

Top Ten Rising Brit Stars

HOLLYWOOD HOTSHOTS

Watch out Kate Winslet and Jude Law, there's a whole new pack of up-and-coming Brit talent hot on your heels and heading for Hollywood!

Remember little Jamie Bell (above) from Billy Elliot? Well, he's all grown up and starring in Clint Eastwood's fantastic new film Flags Of Our Fathers.

And he's not the only young Brit who is making his mark on Hollywood - check out our top ten gallery showcasing the talent we think will be heading to the top of the box office very soon.

PHOTO GALLERY

1/9

The Brit actor with the biggest buzz around him at the moment has to be Shameless star James McAvoy. His role in The Last King Of Scotland has caused so much hype that there\'s rumour of an Oscar nomination!

Onto another Jamie - this time of the female variety. Jaime Winstone comes from star stock - her dad is Ray Winstone - and her recent performance in Kidulthood won her rave reviews.

Jamie Bell found fame in ballet drama Billy Elliot, for which he won a BAFTA. Since then he has appeared in King Kong and can soon be seen in the Clint Eastwood epic Flag Of Our Fathers

9

London-born Emily Blunt is well on her way to super-stardom. She appeared in The Devil Wears Prada, has six films in production and is currently dating jazz crooner Michael Buble!

Geordie boy Charlie Hunnam has come a long way since starring as Nathan in Queer As Folk! He's acted alongside big stars such as Nicole Kidman and Jim Broadbent and was recently seen in Children Of Men.

/9

Alice Eve has all the credentials to become a big star! Famous acting parents (Trevor Eve and Sharon Maughan), famous boyfriend (Rufus Sewell), good looks and a promising film career including recent flick Starter For Ten.

7/9

Dominic Cooper started his career off on stage and has appeared in both the stage and film version of The History Boys. His next movie is Brief Interviews With Hideous Men, alongside Anthony Minghella's son Max.

9

Naomie Harris got her big break in 28 Days Later, but really hit the big time this summer when she starred in Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest as Tia Dalma. She will also appear in the sequel.

Newcomer Ed Speleers beat 180,000 actors to the title role of in fantasy flick Eragon. He's only just completed his A-levels and hopes to continue acting full-time - perhaps he is the new Daniel Radcliffe