All good things must come to an end. . Lord Merton (played by Douglas Reith), Isobel's laid-back second husband. Lady Grantham poisons Lord Grantham (already nearly dead anyway after contracting a rare form of slow-acting rabies from Isis) and on his deathbed he acknowledges Thomas as his son. "Ah, Barrow, yes," Lord Grantham turned and he beckoned him closer. What's wrong with Thomas Barrow on Downton Abbey? She says that Alfred has a nice manner unlike Thomas. A gay man in an era that doesn't welcome him, Barrow made a special friend in Richard Ellis (Max Brown) of the Royal household. He is somewhat rigid and uptight but not afraid to stand up for himself if he feels that he is being disrespected. Downton Abbey movie EXCL: Thomas Barrow fumes as he is DEMOTED He is usually a bystander in the family drama. Written by series creator Julian Fellowes and directed by Simon Curtis, Downton Abbey: A New Era introduces viewers to a bustling time of change and innovation at Downton. His lack of attraction and desire for women, for instance. When: Mid-1924. Across the table, Lady Grantham announced, "Mama, this is our . Thomas Barrow - Downton Abbey Wiki Background why did o'brien leave downton abbey - sem-fund.org Thomas Barrow (played by Robert James-Collier), the Downton Abbey butler. Barrow and Ellis became friends but, in A New Era, Thomas received the sad news that the King's Valet got married. Mr. Thomas Barrow (Robert James-Collier) - Mr. Barrow became Downton Abbey's butler at the end of season 6 and continues to run the great house. 10 Dramatic Downton Abbey Fan Theories | Mental Floss Lord Grantham is kind, decent, open-minded in his own cloistered way, and a gentleman through and through.Robert loves his wife and three daughters, but when the series opens, he is revealed .