Irish-born Allen Leech earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Drama and Theatre Studies from Trinity College, Dublin. He had worked steadily with small parts when he auditioned for Downton Abbey and got a then-small role of the chauffeur. Leech only signed on for three episodes, but when series creator-writer Julian Fellowes saw the chemistry between Leech and Jessica Brown Findlay, a new storyline was concocted — and Allen Leech’s career took off! He’s been on the big screen without the Crawleys too, so quite a rise for this Irish rebel.
Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa in Rome (2007)
So cute!
Fred Boggis in From Time to Time (2009)
Eh, servant-y.
Francis Dereham in The Tudors (2010)
One of Katherine Howard’s doomed lovers.
Tom Branson in Downton Abbey (2010-2015)
Starting out downstairs, in the garage.
Marrying the youngest daughter (here, at Lady Mary’s wedding).
Ending up managing the estate for the family.
John Cairncross in The Imitation Game (2014)
Playing a British double-agent during WWII.
Paul Prenter in Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)
Totally post-period, but an interesting portrayal of Freddie Mercury’s manager & lover.
Tom Branson in Downton Abbey (2019)
There are hints that Branson has a key storyline in the film!
What’s your favorite of Allen Leech’s historical costume movie and TV roles?
Tom Branson
It’s a solid tie between Agrippa and Branson.
Tom Branson. I wrote a lot of fan fiction about what happened when he went to America six months. I got to see him live yesterday at the 92nd St. Y and he has a wicked sense of humor.
I just finished re-watching Rome and could not figure out where I’d seen his face. Dowton Abby!
Agrippa. Still has that babyface. Sigh.
Plus you get to see Allen Naked in Rome! Nice!
Oooh, that’s interesting about him only being signed for three episodes of DOWNTON. I’m looking forward to seeing the new film, and I imagine Tom might have a strong storyline because he’s still a widower at the end of the TV series.
I totally didn’t recognize him in BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY!
He also voiced Hjalmar an Craite in the populat video game “The Witcher 3”.