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Alex Green was valet to Anthony Foyle - who is also known as Lord Gillingham - and visited Downton Abbey with him in 1922.

Biography

When he arrived he thanked Anna after she helped him out carrying some bags. Despite her saying he was just being friendly, her husband was suspicious of him. Green was friendly and chatty and introduced the servants to a loud new card game.

Later, whilst the rest of the household - including all the servants - were upstairs watching Dame Nellie Melba sing, Green approached Anna whilst she was in the kitchen getting something for a headache. He first offered her a drink from a flask, before saying she must want some fun and that her "old cripple" of a husband couldn't possibly keep her happy. Anna replied that she was happy and asked him to let her pass. He refused and proceeded to brutally attack her.a Afterwards he left her and went back to the singing as if nothing had happened.

The following morning, Green remarks that he will remember the previous day for many years to come. Gillingham admits he is not particularly fond of his valet, but admits he is lucky to even have one.

Green returns to Downton again with Lord Gillingham. Mrs Hughes later confronts him. He later remarks in the servants' hall how he went downstairs for peace and quiet when Nellie Melba was singing, because he was not enjoying her performance. He blames Anna as much as himself for what happened stating and lying that they both had had too much to drink. However Mrs Hughes knows the story better and confronts Green saying that he is the one to blame. 

The day after Mary asks Lord Gillingham to fire Green, he is informed that Green was killed in London by a bus after tripping into the road.

His death puts suspicion on Bates due to Bates having previous experience being around unusual deaths of his enemies.

Unfortunately in 1924, a police sergeant visits Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes and tells them that there was a witness prior to Mr Green's death who heard him ask someone why they had come. Furthermore, Green had apparently told staff members in Gillingham's household, including his butler, that he had had a quarrel at Downton with "the valet" - John Bates. Both Carson and Bates insist there never was a quarrel between them while Green stayed at Downton. Bates speculates to Anna that because they didn't like each other maybe Green took steps to set Bates up in case he did anything.

Green is further revealed to have carried out attacks on several women, some of whom came forward to talk about their ordeal. According to Inspector Vyner, Green's victims "were generally small, slight women who gave him little or no encouragement".

A woman, which was one of his rape victims, confessed to the authorities that Green was mocking her only moments before his death. The woman got angry, and pushed Green. The latter was unintentionally killed when the woman pushed him. She was arrested for manslaughter, and she sent her sincerest apologies to Anna and Bates for not having confessed earlier.

Notes

a Whilst it was not explicitly shown on screen, it was implied that Green raped Anna when he attacked her.

Behind the Scenes

  • Alex is a short form of Alexander, so it is possible his full name is Alexander Green, but this has not been confirmed.

Appearances

Appearances and Mentions
   
Series 4 Episode 1 Episode 2 Episode 3
Appears
Episode 4
Appears
Episode 5
Mentioned
Episode 6 Episode 7
Appears
Episode 8
Appears
Christmas Special
Mentioned
   
Series 5 Episode 1
Mentioned
Episode 2
Mentioned
Episode 3
Mentioned
Episode 4
Mentioned
Episode 5
Mentioned
Episode 6
Mentioned
Episode 7
Mentioned
Episode 8
Mentioned
Christmas Special
Mentioned
   
Series 6 Episode 1
Mentioned
Episode 2 Episode 3 Episode 4 Episode 5 Episode 6 Episode 7 Episode 8 Christmas Special

External Links

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