Gwen Dawson was a housemaid at Downton Abbey. Throughout the first series, she cherishes a dream to become a secretary. To this end, she buys a typewriter and takes a course to learn to type. She is helped considerably by Lady Sybil Crawley, who believes in women making a life for themselves. This friendship crosses the class boundaries, an act which at one time would have seemed impossible. Sybil frequently tells Gwen never to give up on your dream and tries relentlessly to get Gwen the job. She arranges for Gwen to go to town to answer an advertisement that appeared in the newspaper. She even writes her a reference. When nothing pans out, Gwen starts to get despondent, but Sybil tells her to persevere.

Her dream is finally realized at the end of Episode 7, when, Mr. Bromidge, a man whose business installs telephones comes to Downton. He remarks in Sybil's hearing that he has been looking for a secretary. Sybil quickly arranges an interview for Gwen in the library. He comments that being a housemaid is a mark in her favor, as his mother was a housemaid and he knows how hard they work. She gets the job. When news of this comes by telephone, Branson must take the call as everyone is at the garden party, being held outside. The message is relayed and Sybil and Gwen are overjoyed. This occurs shortly before Lord Grantham announces that a telegram has informed him that England is at war with Germany.

PersonalityEdit

Gwen seems to get on reasonably well with all the other servants and describes her roommate Anna as being 'like a sister'. She is the daughter of a farm hand. She is a kind and understanding woman. She is slightly sensitive, and occasionally breaks out into tears. She is rather reserved and calm, and tries not to be a part in disputes and arguments.