Quotes from Rob James-Collier

I think because of my background - I went through university and did an academic career and fell into acting - I've never had a game plan for my career because I got into it quite ad hoc.

I'm proud of the fact that Downton Abbey was born in a recession, at a time when ITV had dropped a lot of drama programmes. And I know that because I was out of work at the time!

There's definitely a wave of Brits doing great work on American television, and I wouldn't mind being one of them!

Because you've done the horrible jobs, it gives you an even grittier determination to succeed.

Particularly with internships, you have to work for a year with no money. How on Earth are you going to finance that?

America does not like people being not nice to dogs.

Obviously, I play a villain in 'Downton Abbey'. As an actor, you want to get a variety of roles, so to be offered the part of Joe, it was perfect.

Most actors will tell you that villains are the most interesting to play.