He plays Silva on Netflix’s Fate: The Winx Saga, but here’s where else you may recognize Robert James-Collier. British actor Robert James-Collier had no designs on getting into showbusiness and was studying for a Masters in Marketing and a degree in Business when a friend asked him to stand in for an absentee actor on a shoot. He had such a good time he decided to give acting a try, later auditioning for a role on the final series of BBC show Down To Earth as a womanizing landlord. This set his career going, and he soon followed up with the well-received TV movie Perfect Day and guest roles like an appearance on the original version of Shameless – whose U.S. remake ended in 2021.
Robert James-Collier’s big breakthrough came in 2006 when he joined the cast of long-running UK soap Coronation Street. He played Liam Connor, co-owner of a local factory who got into various complicated romances during his time on the show. Collier became a viewer favorite both for his good looks and the charm he brought to the role, but after fearing he’d become typecast if he stayed too long, he exited after two years and personally requested Liam get killed off.
It didn’t take very long for Robert James-Collier to find his next big project when he joined the cast of the historical drama Downton Abbey in 2010. Collier played Thomas Barrow on the series, who initially started as something of a villain and was only intended to stick around for one season. However, the showrunners were so impressed with Collier’s work that the character stuck around for its six-season run and two movie spin-offs, including 2022’s Downton Abbey: A New Era. Of course, he found plenty of work elsewhere, making his film debut in 2011 with the poorly-received action movie Mercenaries, and had roles in the 2012 musical drama Spike Island with Emilia Clarke and British drama Wayland’s Song.
Robert James-Collier’s Other Movie & TV Roles
In 2013, Robert James-Collier’s voice was featured in video game Ryse: Son of Rome and in 2016 he had a lead role in ITV crime drama The Level, alongside Guardians Of The Galaxy’s Laura Haddock. In 2017 he appeared in the well-reviewed folk horror The Ritual – based on the book of the same name – which also starred Rafe Spall. After guest roles on British shows such as Vera – fronted by Brenda Blethyn – he joined the cast of the acclaimed comedy-drama Ackley Bridge as a new headteacher at the titular school.
In 2021, Robert James-Collier appeared in the live-action adaptation of Nickelodeon’s Winx Club. Dubbed Fate: The Winx Saga, the series follows a group of teen fairies as they enroll in a special magical boarding school called Alfea. Robert James-Collier plays Saul Silva, the fencing instructor and guardian of student Sky (Danny Griffin). While Fate: The Winx Saga received mostly average reviews, it was popular enough to get renewed for another series.
Next: Downton Abbey Timeline Explained: Every Season & Movie
