Daisy Lewis to mend Tom’s broken heart in major storyline

Series four of Downton Abbey will see chauffeur turned estate manager Tom Branson (Allen Leech) get a new love interest, played by 28-year-old Daisy Lewis.

Lewis will play live-in governess to Irishman Tom’s daughter, who quickly strikes up a romance with the Irishman, who was devastated following the shocking death in series three of his wife, Lady Sybil, (played by Jessica Brown Findlay) who died in childbirth.

A source told The Mirror: “Daisy will become one of Downton’s most prominent characters. She wowed producers in her audition and they are delighted to have secured such a brilliant young actress.

“Her romance with Tom will be one of the main storylines of the series. He will begin to develop feelings for her and they start a secret affair.

“Tom will have an even bigger role in the new series after ­becoming the estate manager of Downton.

“The writers know he is a very popular ­character and the ­viewers were gripped by Lady Sybil’s traumatic death.

“In the Christmas special one of the new maids tried to kiss Tom although, at the time, he wasn’t quite ready to move on.

“But viewers will see that’s all going to change in the new series.”

Lewis has appeared in Doctor Who ­ playing Javit in “Gridlock”, Lewis, Borgia and as a drug-addict in the 2011 film Pusher.

She also appeared in the 2009 Julian Fellowes directed film From Time To Time where she met the Downton creator.

Downton Abbey returns in the UK in the Autumn and in he US air in January, 2014.