Downton Abbey star on acting, distance learning and his degree

Posted on 25 December 2015 • Student stories, TV and radio

For Downton Abbey fans, Christmas will be bitter-sweet this year as the Christmas Special marks the final ever episode of the series enjoyed by millions.

Joseph Molesley, played by Kevin Doyle, has had a turbulent journey, from second footman at Downton, to butler for Mrs Crawley. Unfulfilled, and having been unable to pursue his passion for teaching due to having to work from the age of 12, he takes the courageous step of a complete career change and retrains as a school teacher.

We talk to the actor and graduate of the OU, about his experience of acting whilst studying for a degree in History with The Open University:

 

“When you’re on set and you’re hanging around, you’ve got a lot of time waiting to be called,” explained Doyle, “so I found that, rather than reading newspapers, I’d much prefer to learn something new.”