Where is Charles Carson now? Charles Carson,...

Where is Charles Carson now?

Charles Carson, played by Jim Carter, is the beloved butler, and almost, surrogate Father figure at Downton Abbey. When we first meet Carson he is the one to bring the telegram with the news of James and Patrick Crawley’s death. It is during this season that we learn Carson was not always a Butler and was in fact once an entertainer, part of the duo known as the ‘Cheerful Charlies’. With his entertainer counterpart, Charles Grigg turning up at Downton and threatening to ruin Mr Carson’s reputation, we find a Carson who will do anything to keep the past a secret. We learn in this series how close he is to the family and how much the family value him, with Lord Grantham paying off Griggs with the threat of arrest should he return.

When series two begins, it is clear to see Carson is a man stuck in his ways. With all the young men being shipped out to war, it is he who is left to look after the house with the help of the maids. Carson is appalled that these women are the ones serving the family meals. With many of the house staff drafted into war, Carson takes up extra roles around Downton Abbey, over-exerting himself to keep Downton running as smoothly as possible. Carson is thrown into uncertainty when Richard Carlisle offers to make Carson his butler after his and Lady Mary’s marriage. This uncertainty comes from Carson’s loyalty to the Lord of Grantham and his father-like affection to Lady Mary. He declines the offer after learning that Carlisle tried to pay Anna to keep an eye on Mary. A man of morals, Carson cannot and will not work for a man he holds little to no respect for.

Carson’s critical eye shows itself in series three when Sarah O’Brien’s nephew Alfred arrives at Downton. Critical of Alfred’s height, inexperience and clumsiness, Carson is quick to point out any mistake the young boy makes. Yet over time, Carson witnesses how persistent Alfred is and agrees to take the boy under his wing. Carson’s fondness for Lady Mary too follows him into this series when she asks him if he thinks she shall do as a wife, to which he fondly replies. We also see Carson’s affection for Mrs Hughes blossom this series, when he shows worry over her health, and then singing to himself when he learns that she will recover. The fatherly instinct that Carson has towards Mary can again be seen in series four when, concerned about her wellbeing after Matthew’s death, Thomas and Carson go about trying to bring Mary out of her shell and back into the world. Whilst angry at the Butler, Mary later cracks and breaks down and cries in his arms. Griggs appears again this series, writing to Carson telling him of his life in the workhouse. It is later revealed that the cause of the split was a woman, Alice Neal, whom was loved by both Carson and Griggs, but ultimately chose Griggs in the end. When Grigg gets a job he informs Carson of Alice’s death five years prior. They shake hands and leave on good terms, and as a reminder of the past Mrs Hughes gives Mr Carson a portrait of Ms Neal to place in his office. It is during this series also that Carson is shown to have bonded with Alfred, encouraging the boy to pursue his passion for cooking. Despite not getting accepted, Carson insists Alfred keeps working hard and when faced with the possibility of Molesley replacing Alfred as footman, refuses to take him on even when Alfred eventually leaves. The Christmas special shows a somewhat relaxed Carson during a day out at the seaside, and foreshadows the future with Mrs Hughes, when they are seen hand in hand as they go paddling in the sea together.

Series five begins with Carson being asked to act as Chairman of the War Memorial in Downton Village. However, in honour of the tradition, Carson insists that Lord Grantham should be made patron, or else he will refuse to do the job. Difficulties ensue, as there are decisions to be made regarding where the memorial is to be held. After a disagreement with Mrs Hughes (who is on the side of building a stone edifice), Carson is quick to change his mind and agrees to the memorial stone. Tensions arise between Mrs Patmore and Mr Carson, when there is a disagreement on whether her nephew should be included in the memorial (the nephew- Archie Philpots was shot for cowardice). However, they over come their disagreement when Carson tries his best to assist Mrs Patmore when she considers investing in a property. This inspires Carson and so he asks Mrs Hughes if she would consider investing in a property with him. While Mrs Hughes does not exactly say yes or no, it is clear that she is interested in this proposal. Come Christmas 1924, Carson approaches Mrs Hughes with the news that he has bought a property in both their names and, after five seasons, forty-three episodes and 12 years on screen, Mr Charles Carson proposes to Mrs Elsie Hughes.

The final series will begin to show the changes in life when one lives at Downton, with staff being cut back even more and characters moving out and starting their lives elsewhere, ‘there’s a scene for Carson… and he looks at his old bedroom and thinks, ‘Oh, that way of life is over now’. Carter however agrees it was inevitable that his character and Mrs Hughes ended up together, ‘they have worked together for many, many years’. Carter goes on to say, ‘I think right from the word go Phyllis [Logan] and I wanted it to happen… it was sort of inevitable really’.

With marriage in the air, happy times are on their way for Downton’s Butler and dear friend Charles Carson.

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