'Downton Abbey' Casts Gary Carr As First Black Character, Jazz Singer Jack Ross, For Series 4

'Downton Abbey' has cast its first black character.

The hit ITV period drama has announced 26-year-old Gary Carr, previously seen in 'Death In Paradise' and 'Bluestone 42', will play a jazz singer called Jack Ross.

Ross is said to be "a charming and charismatic young man".

Gary Carr in ITV drama 'Foyles War'

Carr will be joining new cast members of the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning drama Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Tom Cullen, Julian Ovenden, Nigel Harman, Joanna David and Dame Harriet Walter who are all set to star in the fourth series.

Carnival Films’ Managing Director, Gareth Neame, said in a statement: “We are delighted to introduce another fantastic, dynamic character to Downton Abbey. His addition will bring interesting twists to the drama which we can’t wait for viewers to see in Series Four”.

As well as filming an eight-part fourth series, 'Downton Abbey' will return at Christmas 2013 with another feature length episode. The new series will see the return of Shirley MacLaine as Martha Levinson alongside series regulars Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery and Jim Carter.