'Downton Abbey' To Cast First Black Character

The hit PBS period drama “Downton Abbey” is gearing up to introduce its first black character.

The show is currently in search of an actor to play Jack Ross, “a musician (singer) at an exclusive club in the 20s,” the British tabbloid The Sun reports.

According to the character description, Jack will be 25 to 30 years of age, very handsome, with charm, charisma, and a “certain wow factor.” Jack also boasts a “perfect cut-glass [British] accent, strength, warmth and morals."

The UK series will likely be looking to fill the role before March 23, when filming is scheduled to begin. The new character, as well as others, will in introduced in Abbey’s coming fourth season.

According to the Huffington Post, a rep for the show’s co-producer would not comment on any casting news.

Other new roles are said to include Lord Anthony Gillingham, love interest of Lady Mary Crawley, and Sir John Bullock, described as a “party-loving cad,” whose actor “must be able to act drunk.”

Season 4 of “Downton Abbey” premiers in fall 2013 in the UK and winter 2014 in the US.