Downton Abbey’s Jim Carter Is Not Interested in Game of Thrones

While we’ve been promised at least eight season of Game of Thrones, another hit show that made household names of the BBC company actors it cast is drawing to a close. Downton Abbey arrived on ITV about six months before Thrones debuted on HBO, but didn’t make it over to American shores until the spring of 2011. Though one is a historical drama peppered with plot points pulled from real life events of 100 years ago, while the other is fantasy derived from medieval history, the two have strangely overlapped during their years on the air, especially when it comes to cast members. As characters leave York, they find their way to Westeros, and vice versa. It wasn’t hard to imagine Rose Leslie writing letters back to the friends she left behind downstairs at the Abbey, telling them about this no-nothing boyfriend she’s picked up in the new snowy climate, or Iain Glen deciding that, once he was thrown over by Lady Mary, he would try to make a go of it with the Queen of Dragons.

But with Downton Abbey drawing to a close with its sixth season, there’re quite a few actors on the show with holes in the schedules. And as Game of Thrones continues to mow down characters every season only to cast long lists of new ones, it’s not surprising that reporters are curious who else might be willing to cross the Narrow Sea now that the Granthams are laying them off.

That happened this week to Jim Carter, known by most as the uptight butler Mr. Carson. Carter has a deadpan sense of humor, which he employs regularly in “Visit London” commercials. But Visit Westeros? Carter weights the pros and cons and thinks it’s not really his cup of tea.

“It strikes me as being a lot of leather, night shoots, rain, horses, beards….hmmm. No.”

Well, you have to admit, he’s not exactly wrong. And I suppose after living in the comfort of Downton, having to grow a beard would be an irritant. Cross Carter of your list as one of those who could show up in the many as yet unknown roles for Game of Thrones Season 6. It’s too bad. As we saw in Shakespeare in Love, he looks pretty good in period wear and long unwashed hair. The Night’s Watch is poorer for choice.

Next: Peter Dinklage loses voiceover gig, Michelle MacLaren gains directing job