Jim Carter--More than a Butler (Too) Quiz

Answer: Inspector Noble

"A Private Function" stars Michael Palin and Maggie Smith. Set in a small English town in 1947, the people of the town try to work around rationing requirements to celebrate the marriage of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Jim Carter portrays Police Inspector Noble.

"A Private Function" is one of Jim Carter's (born 1948) first significant roles in film. Most of his work in the earlier part of his career (the 1970s) was on the stage.

Answer: Montego, the Magnificent

"Haunted Honeymoon" starred Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner as Larry and Vicky and has many scenes set in a castle-like mansion. Jim Carter portrays Montego, the Magnificent, a stage magician, and the husband of Larry's cousin, Susan. At one point when Montego is told that he is very persuasive, he replies "It's all done with mirrors." The film received generally negative reviews and was financially unsuccessful.

As opposed to "A Private Affair", "Haunted Honeymoon" represents a early role in a US film for Jim Carter.

Answer: Mr. Ellerbeck

"A Month in the Country" tells the story of a man (Colin Firth) who has been hired to perform restoration work on a mural in a small country church. Jim Carter portrays Mr. Ellerbeck, the town's station master, who has invited Colin Firth's character to dine with them every Sunday. This was not the only film in which both Colin Firth and Jim Carter appeared together--they also appeared in "The Hour of the Pig" and "Shakespeare in Love".

The film was set in England in the 1920s, a period which Jim Carter would revisit in several of his roles, including as the butler Mr. Carson on "Downton Abbey".

Answer: John Manly

Based on the 1877 Anna Sewell novel, "Black Beauty" stars Andrew Knott, Sean Bean, and David Thewlis. Jim Carter portrays John Manly, a caretaker of the titular horse. One night during a storm, Beauty resists John Manly's urging to cross a bridge and later saves John when he almost drowns. John later expresses the sentiment: "Kind treatment makes good horses...Bad treatment ruins them."

Jim Carter and Alun Armstrong (who portrayed Reuben Carter) would later both appear in the Series 5 Christmas special for "Downton Abbey", though they did not share any scenes.

Answer: Charles James Fox

The film relates the struggles of George III with porphyria and stars Nigel Hawthorne and Helen Mirren. Jim Carter portrays Whig Charles James Fox, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. The historic George III was generally more sympathetic to the Tory Party. At one point, Fox suggests the idea that the King should abdicate in favor of his son: "Then why not be rid of him? If a few ramshackle colonists in America can send him packing, why can't we?'

This was not the only occasion when Jim Carter portrayed a political figure. In a 2003 TV-movie, he portrayed the title character of Oliver Cromwell.

Answer: Rookery

"The Little Vampire" stars Jonathan Lipnicki, Rollo Weeks, Richard E. Grant, Jim Carter and Alice Krige! In the film, Jim portrays the antagonist, a vampire hunter who is after a family of vampires who only drink animal blood. By the end of the film, the vampires and their human allies have managed to defeat Rookery. The movie was based on a series of books "Der kleine vampir" (The Little Vampire).

Jim Carter and Richard E. Grant, who appeared in "The Little Vampire" would also later appear together in "Downton Abbey".

Answer: Nish

"Ella Enchanted" starred Anne Hathaway and Hugh Dancy. Jim Carter portrayed Nish, one of three human-eating ogres and their leader. Getting into costume and makeup was a four to six hour daily process for the actors (including Paraic Breathnach and Daniel Naprous) who portrayed the ogres. At one point Nish asks Ella: "How do you like to be eaten? Baked? Boiled? Shish-kabobed?"

In 2004, Jim Carter also appeared in the films "Casablanca Driver" and "Modigilani".

Answer: John Faa

"The Golden Compass" was based on Philip Pullman's novel "Northern Lights" and starred Nicole Kidman and Dakota Blue Richards. Jim Carter portrayed John Faa, King of the Gyptians. He helps to retrieve his people that have been captured. The real-life Johnnie Faa was described as the King of they Gypsies in Scotland in the 1540s.

Jim Carter also appeared in "Cassandra's Dream" in 2007.

Answer: The Compere

"Burlesque Fariytales" was set in a London theater in the 1930s and starred Benedict Cumberbatch, Lindsay Duncan and Jim Carter! The movie is based on the premise that things are not always what they seem as the audience in the theater is locked in and forced to watch a series of performances. The independent film was shot in only 19 days for a budget of 35,000 British pounds. Jim Carter played the role of the The Compere.

Jim Carter also appeared in the films "Creation" and "Wish 413" in 2009.

Answer: Barry

"My Week with Marilyn" is set in the 1950s and stars Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe and Kenneth Branagh as Laurence Olivier. The movie is based on the production of "The Prince and the Schoolgirl". Jim Carter portrays the role of Barry.

From 2010 to 2015, Jim Carter portrayed what may be his signature role--Charles Carson the butler on "Downton Abbey" (2010-2015) over 52 episodes.