Downton Abbey's Rob James-Collier Covers 'Out' Magazine

Downton Abbey star Rob James-Collier takes the cover of Out‘s February 2013 issue, on newsstands January 15.

Here is what the 36-year-old actor had to share with the mag:

On being an outgoing actor: “Most actors are really shy and insular creatures. I’ve just always been a d-ck. [On my first day of acting class] we were doing these warm-up exercises, running around doing crazy things with our voices, and, rather than feeling embarrassed or stupid, I just felt that I’d come home.”

On the original plans for his character: “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.’ ”

On playing a gay character in season three: “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.”

For more from Rob, visit Out.com and catch the season three premiere of Downton Abbey on Sunday (January 6) at 9pm on PBS!