Alfred Nugent

Alfred Nugent
Biographical information
Military career	World War I Veteran
Physical information
Gender	Male
Hair colour	Red
Family information
Family	Sarah O'Brien (aunt) Sarah O'Brien's shell-shocked brother (uncle, deceased) Mrs Nugent (mother) Mr Nugent (father)
Affiliation
Occupation	Second Footman at Downton Abbey Hotel waiter (formerly) Army (formerly)
Loyalty	Downton Abbey Sarah O'Brien
Behind the scenes
Portrayed by	Matt Milne

"Oh, do pick him Carson and cheer us all up a bit. Alfred is nice, but he does looks like a puppy that has been rescued from a puddle."

—Lady Mary speaking to Mr. Carson about hiring the handsome footman James

Alfred Nugent is Sarah O'Brien's nephew who arrives at Downton Abbey in 1920 after Alfred's mother writes to her sister asking her to help find Alfred a position there, which she does. He works as a footman but lacks "a natural air of confidence and grace" that fellow footman Jimmy Kent has. Alfred replaces Thomas as footman, when Thomas is moved up to become Valet to Lord Grantham in the absence of John Bates, who has been wrongly incarcerated.

Biography

Early history Alfred Nugent fought in the army in the First World War. After his discharge, he worked as a hotel waiter. It was while he was a hotel waiter that he first took an interest in cooking. He wanted to try out for a job in a kitchen, but his Aunt Sarah talked him out of it, persuading him to try for a job that would give eventual promotion to be a butler.

He has also stated he is glad to be a follower of the Anglican Church.

Series Three

When Carson begins to lament the need for another footman, O'Brien puts forward the name of her nephew Alfred, but Carson immediately dismisses this idea, as he has a society wedding to get through and doesn't have the time to train a "hobbledy-hoy". O'Brien, however, goes over his head to ask Lady Cora, who consults her husband when he is distracted. Later, Robert, who is having financial problems, decrees no new servants after learning from Thomas that Alfred has already arrived.

Upon his arrival, he is grilled by Mr. Carson in the presence of Mrs. Hughes, Thomas Barrow, Sarah O'Brien, and Daisy Mason. Carson believes that Alfred is too tall, as a footman should be no taller than 6'1", and he doesn't think Alfred's experience as a hotel waiter is adequate, but as O'Brien says, Alfred already has the job so there is no reason for interviewing him. Alfred tells Mr. Carson "I mean to try" to which Mr. Carson replies "As long as you do." He immediately starts working, getting the car door and the luggage for Sybil Branson and her husband upon their arrival to Downton.

Alfred later admits to his aunt, Sarah, that he feels nervous, but she tells him not to worry. Thomas walks by remarking Alfred has no experience. Alfred admits Thomas is right, but Sarah tells Alfred to ignore him, saying he is skilled and has a nice manner and that he is "not vain like Thomas."  Violet Crawley remarks that she thought he was walking on stilts during one dinner after asking him if he was really as tall as he was. Alfred worked in silver service at a hotel, before arriving at Downton Abbey. His repeating this serving style at Downton, trying to serve them rather than letting them serve themselves. This angers Mr. Carson, because that style was never used in a private home.

Alfred takes some of the duties of valet, when neither Carson nor Thomas will see to Tom Branson (the former chauffeur), not even to just see if he needs anything. Mrs. Hughes says that Alfred will have to do it, even though Mr. Carson says that he won't know anything other than to clean shoes left outside the door at night (a hotel practice).

Alfred makes many mistakes, but they are often not his fault. Alfred has come into a situation of rivals fighting for position. His aunt is determined to push him up to be a valet. She goes to Thomas and asks him to help Alfred acheive the position of valet to Matthew Crawley. Thomas takes this as a personal insult as he had to struggle for years. Later, Jimmy arrives and is competing with Alfred for the job of first footman. Both of them give him "help". Thomas points out a bottle to remove a spot, Alfred burns a hole in Matthew Crawley's tail coat of his suit due to Thomas intentionally giving him the wrong chemical for cleaning Episode 3.02. Later, Jimmy tells him to put the serving utensils on the edge of the tray, which results in them falling into the dowager's lap.

When Mrs. Martha Levinson arrives he takes her hand to help her down from the car and ends up holding hands as she launches into an oration. At dinner, she jokes with Alfred making him laugh. When the women discuss Isobel's work with former prostitutes, Martha tells them not to give the address of the organization, as Alfred will be taking notes. She winks at Alfred making him smile, which earns Alfred a stern look from Mr. Carson. Alfred begins a bit of a romance with her personal maid, Miss Reed, who kisses him. After Miss Reed returns to America, Alfred admits to Daisy that he still thinks of her and that he liked the fact that she spoke her mind. Despite the fact that Daisy is partial to him, Alfred later takes a fancy to Ivy Stuart.

Mr. Carson does later start helping Alfred out, such as telling him which spoons are which. Carson later admits that he respects Alfred, saying that he is good and willing, even if he is O'Brien's nephew. Jimmy later remarks that Carson favors Alfred over himself.

Alfred walks in on Thomas making a sexual advance towards Jimmy Kent, the other footman. He is shocked and his aunt Sarah, who is angry at Thomas for his treatment of Alfred and spreading a rumor that she was leaving, persuades him to inform Mr Carson. Alfred doesn't believe that Jimmy was a willing participate, but later phones the police (on his own) after learning Jimmy has relented in letting Thomas have a reference. However, when Inspector Stanford arrives during the cricket mach, Lord Grantham persuades him to say that he was mistaken and that he made the phone call when drunk.

Many times in the course of the series, Alfred displays an interest and talent for cooking, despite having displayed a total ignorance about food when Mrs. Patmore served Edith Crawley's would-have-been wedding food for the staff supper. It is revealed that he originally wanted to try for a kitchen job, but that his aunt Sarah had talked him out of it. She told him that few men succeed in this career, most end up taking orders from some red-faced old woman. She believed that he needed to start the career route to being a butler. In the kitchen, he helps Ivy to chop, and proves that he knows how to whip mayonnaise after it has separated. He tells Mrs. Hughes at the Thirsk fair in 1921, while examining the spices at Jos Tufton's stall, that he knows cooking is "where I belong." She gives him some encouragement.

Series Four

Alfred walks in on Ivy and Jimmy kissing in Downton's boot room after Daisy tells him Ivy is there (but does not mention Jimmy even though she knows he's with her). Alfred soon learns of a cooking contest in London where it could mean advanced chef training if one passes, and he begins to consider it.

He is given encouragement by Mrs Patmore, Mrs Hughes, and especially from Mr Carson, who praises him as a hard worker. Jimmy on the other hand is less than courteous, especially after Alfred receives a letter informing him he was not accepted. Alfred is crushed, but Mr Carson urges him to keep working hard, not give up, and that he will deserve success.

Later however, one of the candidates who was chosen drops out, and Alfred is selected to replace him. He bids his farewell to Downton, thanking everyone for being kind to him, and soon leaves for London.

Personality

Upon arriving at Downton Abbey, Alfred admits he feels "quite nervous" and rarely feels good about himself early on. He tells Mr Carson on his arrival that he means "to try" to do a good job. Even Carson himself admits later that Alfred is a good worker, even if he is O'Brien's nephew.

But later, Alfred delights in being preferred by Mr Carson over Jimmy Kent and is a little like his aunt, Sarah O'Brien, being devious enough to deceive Daisy Mason into teaching him dancing just so he can impress Ivy Stuart, getting both Daisy and later Jimmy in trouble as a result.

He is quite easily influenced by others as his aunt talks him into complaining to Mr Carson about Thomas Barrow, when Alfred sees him kissing a sleeping Jimmy; and Robert Crawley pressures him into dropping the matter with the police when they come to Downton with questions about the matter.

When it comes to cooking, he can be quite focused, asking Mrs. Patmore questions.

Relationships

Sarah O'Brien

Alfred is quite close to his aunt. She often encourages him, but he is also easily manipulated by her when she attempts to ruin Thomas Barrow. O'brien seems very protective of Alfred especially against the evil Thomas.

Daisy Mason

Alfred and Daisy.

Daisy is in love with Alfred and it is hinted that he acknowledges it. Daisy is also one the the people who always defend Alfred whenever he is look down by the other staffs. But Alfred does not seem to notice her feelings for him, instead having only eyes for Ivy, inciting Daisy's jealousy. Unfortunately he is not moved. He even tricks her into teaching him to dance without mentioning he is only trying to do so to impress Ivy (because she loves dancing), eventually getting her into trouble with Mr Carson.

Daisy helped him by giving him cooking lessons before he went to Ritz for the chef convention despite the fact that she is reluctant to see him leaves. But at the end, he was failed the test and Daisy is happy and glad that Alfred is not leaving Downton after all. Their bond is closer now and Alfred seems to trust Daisy. But later when he accepts to replace a candidate, he turns down an offer to observe her making an anchovy saurce for a fish meal.

Ivy Stuart

Alfred fancies the kitchen maid, Ivy, but his feelings are not returned. Ivy fancies another footman, Jimmy, who does not feel the same but will sometimes pretend to to irritate Alfred. Nevertheless she does entertain his feelings for her, accepting an invitation of his to go to the movies. gHe tries to insist to her Jimmy does not like her, but she tells him she wants to hear it from Jimmy. He is upset when he walks in on her kissing Jimmy in the boot room. He no longer fancies her after that and gives her the cold shoulder.

Jimmy Kent

Jimmy and Alfred shared a friendly but competitive relationship. Although, sometimes it can become antagonistic when it comes to having the attention of Ivy Stuart, but the two still remains friends afterwards.

Jimmy however can still be rude and unpleasant towards Alfred, such as when Alfred sought to become a chef and later did not get accepted.

Charles Carson

Alfred is eager to do a good job when he first starts working at Downton, but Carson is not impressed by him. But when Alfred starts asking Mr Carson for help, he kindly gives it to Alfred. Slowly he begins to respect Alfred, praising him as a hardworker, and encouraging him not to give up and he will succeed. Carson clearly showed a preference for Alfred over the other footman, James. Though Alfred delighted in this favoritism in front of Jimmy, before he left for London he praised Carson for being a wonderful teacher.

Quotes

"I mean to try Mr Carson."

—to Mr Carson upon his arrival.

"I've been well treated in this house, and I want you to know that I'm very grateful. Mr Carson has been a kind and wonderful teacher."

—to Lord Grantham on his departure from Downton Abbey.

"Daisy, I'm sorry if I've hurt you. You're a good person and you're going to make some man very happy one day, but I'm afraid it will never be me."

—on his goodbye to Daisy Mason.

Appearances

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