Downton Abbey’s Rob James-Collier who plays Thomas on the Masterpiece Classic series will appear on the February 2013 cover of ‘Out’ Magazine. In the upcoming edition, that hits news stands on January 15th, Collier talks about proudly playing the role of his hated character. “It’s the [season] where we really get to grips with Thomas’s sexuality and the impact that must have had on him, being gay in Edwardian times. If you’re including a gay character, there’s an onus and responsibility to at least show what the impact of the time will be on him, and of him on that time. Thankfully we’ve done that, and I’m so proud as an actor that I’ve been used to tell that tale.”

The thirty-six year old Brit also revealed news that his alter ego was originally supposed to be killed off in season one of the hit show. “My agent said, ‘Listen, you’ve got the part that everyone in town wants—he’s a villain, he’s a great role, the only bad thing is that he dies at the end of the first [season]. I gave it 110 percent, and after the first couple of episodes, Liz, the producer, came to me and said, ‘We want you to stay on. Will you?’ And I was, like, ‘F–k, yeah.’ ” ‘Downton Abbey’ currently airs on PBS, Sundays at 9pm est.