Golden Boy’s Theo James goes from Mr. Pamuk of Downton Abbey to New York police commissioner Actor says recognition from his brief time on Downton has been astounding

By: Tony Wong Staff Reporter, Published on Tue Feb 26 2013

James plays the youngest police commissioner of New York City in CTV’s Golden Boy, which debuts Tuesday at 10 p.m. on CTV and CBS.

But convincing viewers he’s not a Turkish emissary who dies in the bed of Lady Mary Crawley and almost ruins her life in the massively popular British soap opera Downton Abbey will be hard going.

The British actor said the recognition he’s received from appearing in just one episode of Downton has been astounding.

“I didn’t realize how popular the show would be,” said James. “I mean, I’m onscreen for about 20 minutes and I still get people going, ‘Mr. Pamuk!’”

His character, Kemal Pamuk, a cad who seduces Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), was involved in a key turning point in the series that resonated beyond the first season.

“I didn’t really see it coming,” James said.

READ MORE: http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2013/02/26/golden_boys_theo_james_goes_from_mr_pamuk_of_downton_abbey_to_new_york_police_commissioner.html