Jack Ross

Jack Ross
Biographical information
Marital status	Single
Residence	Chicago (formerly) London, England
Title(s)	Gallant bandleader (by Rosamund)
Physical information
Gender	Male
Height	5'10½" (1,79 m)
Hair colour	Black
Eye colour	Brown
Family information
Family	Mr Ross (father) Mrs Ross (mother)
Affiliation
Occupation	Jazz musician and singer for the Lotus Jazz Club
Behind the scenes
Portrayed by	Gary Carr

Jack: "Jack Ross, at your service."

Rose: "Rose MacClare; how do you do?"

— Jack and Rose meeting one another on the dance floor.

Jack Ross (b 1892 - 1897 ) is a jazz musician and singer. Formerly from Chicago, he works at the Lotus Jazz Club in London.

Quick Answers

What is the significance of Jack Ross's character in Downton Abbey?

Portrayed by Gary Carr, Jack Ross is a key character in Downton Abbey's fourth series. He is recognized for his charisma and singing talent. His romantic involvement with Rose underscores themes of class and social status. His character is the first black character in the series, marking a significant moment in the show.

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How does Jack Ross's music career influence his character development?

In Downton Abbey, Jack Ross, a jazz musician at the Lotus Jazz Club, uses his music to express his romantic feelings, particularly towards Rose MacClare. His songs frequently reference flowers, symbolising his romantic connection. His character may be inspired by Leslie Arthur 'Hutch' Hutchinson, a renowned black jazz singer with a controversial love life.

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What is the story behind Jack Ross's interaction with Rose MacClare?

In 1922, Jack Ross, a jazz musician from Chicago, encounters Rose MacClare at the Lotus Jazz Club in London. When Rose's partner leaves her on the dance floor, Jack steps in. Rose develops an affection for Jack, leading to a shared kiss after a performance at Downton. Despite Rose's intent to marry Jack, he ends the relationship to protect her from societal prejudice.

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How does Jack Ross's character contribute to the plot of Downton Abbey?

In Downton Abbey's fourth series, Jack Ross, played by Gary Carr, is introduced when he rescues Rose from a predicament at a London club. Rose quickly warms to him, despite Lady Rosamund's objections. Jack and his band are subsequently hired for Robert's birthday celebration at Downton, where he and Rose share a kiss, sparking their relationship.

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What is the reaction of Rose's relatives when they see her dancing with Jack Ross?

Rose's relatives, especially Lady Rosamund, disapprove when they see her dancing with Jack Ross, an entertainer of African-American descent. Regardless of their views, Rose remains fond of Jack, inviting him and his band to Downton for Robert's birthday celebration.

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Biography

One night in 1922, Mary Crawley, Rose MacClare, Rosamund Painswick, Tom Branson, Lord Gillingham, and John Bullock visit the Lotus. After a drunken Bullock leaves Rose on the dance floor to go vomit, Jack immediately leaves the stage and starts dancing with her, saving her from humiliation.

Upon seeing Jack and Rose dancing, her relatives, notably Rosamund, are not happy about this because he is an entertainer and that he is black. Not even Tom shakes Jack's hand. But Rose does not mind at all, and smiles at Jack when she leaves the club.

Rose greets Jack upon his arrival at Downton.

When Jack later comes to Downton Abbey to perform there with his fellow band members (as part of a surprise Rose plans for Robert's birthday), Jack enters through the servants' quarters, where Rose greets him. Carson is immediately uneasy at seeing Ross, and inquires if he had ever considered visiting Africa. Ross replies he is no more African than Mr Carson. Ross remarks to Mrs Hughes that Rose is quite a character. She later remarks she thought Mr Ross was rather nice. Carson, to his surprise, agrees with her.

Lord Grantham and the rest of the family meet Ross and his band members in the hall when Rose presents them. He, Edith, and other members of the family are uneasy about seeing a black man in Downton. Later, Jack is spotted by Mary Crawley kissing Rose. She pretends not to see it, and Jack thanks Mary for their hospitality.

Jack later spends a row-boat outing with Rose, where they kiss again. They also meet one another in Thirsk, where Tom spots them. In both instances Jack is worried about her being with him, and what her family will think. She urges him not to worry. Rose defends Jack when Mary confronts her and announces she plans to marry Jack, no matter what her parents or anyone in her family think.

But Jack has already realized that a relationship between them will not work, despite that he loves her. So he calls their engagement off, admitting he probably should have done so earlier. As he explains to Mary when she confronts him about the engagement and her concerns regarding Rose's motivations, he does love her, but does not want her to be frowned upon by society. He also mentions his mother (whom he thinks Mary is a lot like) also believed Rose was wanting to make a point. However, he does remark that if they lived in a better world, he would not be doing what he has chosen to do. Mary tells him if it was a better world she wouldn't want him to either.

Appearances

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

Behind the Scenes

• Jack Ross is likely based to some extent on Leslie Arthur "Hutch" Hutchinson, a famous and notoriously scandalous black jazz singer who had a white female lover.
• In all the songs he was singing when he and Rose first met, all mentioned flowers in relation to romance, particularly roses. In Episode 4, the last line we hear him sing is "so, what's in a name?" This could be foreshadowing for his relationship to Rose, regardless of class or name

Notes

• Jack was described in the casting call as being between the ages of 25 and 30, very handsome, with charm and charisma.