'Downton Abbey' adds first recurring black character for season 4

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“Downton Abbey” is ramping up its roster of fresh cast, inking a deal with Gary Carr (TV’s “Death In Paradise”) for the hit British costume drama’s fourth season.

Carr will be the show’s first recurring black cast member, playing a “charming and charismatic” young jazz singer.

“Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellowes said in November that it would be “rather nice to open it up ethnically a bit,” amid criticism from some over the lack of ethnic diversity among the cast.

Carr joins fellow newbie cast members Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Tom Cullen, Julian Ovenden, Nigel Harman, Joanna David and Dame Harriet Walter, who are all set to carry significant roles in season four.

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Production banner Carnival Films and U.K. commercial broadcaster ITV today announced Carr’s casting May 1.

Carnival Films managing director Gareth Neame said: “His (Carr’s character) addition will bring interesting twists to the drama which we can’t wait for viewers to see in (season four).”

As well as filming an eight-part fourth season, “Downton Abbey” will return Christmas 2013 with another feature-length episode.

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