Joseph Molesley (b. 1873) is a butler who at first works at Crawley House in Downton village. Later he goes to work at Downton Abbey as Mathew Crawley's valet until the latter's death. After some time away, he returned to Downton as footman, despite moving down the ranks. After helping Daisy with her studies, Molesley took the position as a teacher at the Downton School, returning to Downton Abbey to be a footman for larger events and parties.
Biography
Background
Molesley grew up in Downton village with his father, Bill Molesley, a prolific gardener. His mother had died just prior to the events of Series One. Prior to South African war, Molesley and John Bates served together as footmen in a house near Stafford.
Molesley expresses a desire to have once been a teacher, but due to family financial troubles he had to leave school early at the age of 12 and go to work.
1912-14
When Matthew Crawley becomes heir to the Earl of Grantham and moves to Downton Abbey, it is arranged for Molesley to work at Crawley House. At first Matthew does not think it necessary to have either a butler or, especially, a valet. Molesley much to his chagrin is reduced to standing around watching Matthew dress himself. Matthew eventually gives in to this new way of living and comes to understand the responsibility they owe to the people they employ. Shortly after the Crawleys' arrival the Dowager Lady Grantham asks Molesley how it is to be home again in Downton village; it is unclear where he was working immediately beforehand.
While working in his father's garden, Molesley develops a rue allergic reaction which the Dowager Countess of Grantham correctly diagnosed.
1916-19
Molesley is attracted to Anna Smith, something hinted at at the end of the first season. He wishes to get to know her better. He takes the opportunity to ask her if they could see more of each other when Mr Bates has left Downton Abbey in Episode 2.01 but she declines, as she is still in love with Bates and feels she could never love again. Afterwards, Molesley still held a torch for Anna, though after she marries it is unclear how his feelings changed.
During WWI, when Matthew was away serving on the Western Front and his mother Isobel went off to work at a hospital in Northern France, Molesley began to work at Downton Abbey after Lang (Bates' replacement) had been dismissed. Molesley was eager to take on the role of valet to the Earl of Grantham, but does not as Bates later returns and resumes his former role. Molesley, like footman William Mason was initially found physically unfit for active war service but these were both arranged by the Dowager to keep the family's staff from leaving service; when this ruse is uncovered by Isobel Crawley, Molesley lies to Dr Clarkson that this error is in fact true, so that unlike William, he will not be called to active service.
He insists on tasting the wines when helping out at Downton one dinner. Later, his condition deteriorates. With Spanish flu breaking out in the house, it is thought at first he has caught it (like Carson, Lady Grantham, and Miss Swire). However, Doctor Clarkson immediately realizes that he is just drunk. Mrs Hughes later tells Carson she doesn't want him helping out at dinner anymore, saying his liver won't stand it.
1920
When Matthew Crawley is to be married to Lady Mary, Molesley eagerly anticipates moving there with him to finally be, as he long dreamed, a valet in the the main house. Matthew, however, says that Molesley is "essential" to his mother and he intends to leave him with her as a butler. Molesley is flattered, but disappointed. He talks about it to O'Brien, as he is going to rush back to Crawley House to open the door for Matthew and Isobel, when they finish dinner at Downton. O'Brien questions if Molesley fears for his job, as he is trying very hard for someone "essential". At Matthew's wedding he is sincerely thanked by Matthew for getting a proper outfit ready for best man Tom. He shakes Molesley's hand, and Molesley gives O'Brien a smug look.
When Joseph is deemed not suitable to be Matthew's valet, Lord Grantham that has Molesley sent for. He continues to show care and concern for Anna while her husband is in prison; he asks how she is often. Molesley is dragged into the feud between Thomas and O'Brien, when Thomas Barrow starts a false rumor by telling him that O'Brien is leaving Downton and Cora's service, so that the daughter of his friend may be able to apply for that position. Thomas makes him swear to not tell anyone below stairs. Cora is upset when Molesley asks about this, but hides it and says that she knows that O'Brien is leaving. Eventually the story does get to Carson and O'Brien threatens Molesley that she will see to him later. Daisy tells him that he is in the soup, and she wouldn't be in O'Brien's black book for a gold clock. Molesley explains to O'Brien, but says that Thomas made an honest mistake. O'Brien doesn't believe that, but forgives Molesley for his part. He later shows no sympathy for Tom Branson when he is exiled (and says Sybil married beneath her), nor Ethel Parks for having become a prostitute to feed her son.
Upon the arrival of the annual cricket match of the House Team against the Village Team in 1920, Molesley and his father inspect the cricket pitch and debate which team takes the game the most seriously. Leading up to the match, Molesley became very enthusiastic, claiming he was born with cricket in his blood. When asked why he had never played before, he said it was because he was not working at the house. He continues to show off his so-called moves to the staff, but during the match he proved to be a very poor player. The wicket is knocked over by his first delivery. His father says that he could always talk a good game, he could just never play it.
2012 Christmas Special
While packing up for the family's trip to Duneagle, Scotland, in 1921, Molesley was in a dither over whether shotguns should be brought, and questioned Carson about this. With an air of indignation, Carson informs Molesley that they will not be needed because they would only be stalking, and that requires rifles. He suggested they take them, just to be sure, but Carson frustratingly insists he is already sure.
1922
With the death of Matthew Crawley, Molesley is out of a job. He places advertisements, but gets no answers. Violet later invites her friend Lady Shackleton to lunch and, hearing she needs a butler, invites Molesley over to help out so he can impress her. Unfortunately he fails because Violet's butler Spratt (who believes Molesley is after his own job) sabotages his efforts.
Later, when Alfred Nugent considers leaving for London to pursue his dream of becoming a chef and receive training, Carson tells Molesley he could offer him possibly Alfred's position, certain after what he has been through he will accept it. But Molesley only says he will think about it, when in truth he would prefer not to as he feels he would be downgraded, on account that he has trained as a valet and a butler. But Alfred does not leave and Molesley does not the get the job.
However, when Alfred replaces a candidate who dropped out, Carson, recalling Molesley's hesistance before, is not willing to hire him, seeing him as reluctant as Kaiser Wilhelm was when he abdicated. But after Mrs Hughes and Mrs Patmore plead his case, Carson, albeit grumpily, agrees and takes Molesley on. Even so, the family continue to refer to Molesley by his last name instead of his first.
When Thomas Barrow accompanies Lord Grantham to America, Molesley grows closer to Lady Grantham's new maid, Phyllis Baxter, who is kind and encouraging toward him. He is surpised when she calls him lucky, as he and everyone has never considered himself as much. He makes her some coffee, and later defends her against Barrow when the underbutler returns from America.
2013 Christmas Special
By 1923, Molesley is still working as a footman for Downton, and joins the family and other servants at Grantham House for the London season. After the Prince of Wales comes to the ball there, Molesley approaches Baxter, putting his hand out to her, and insists that she cannot let Barrow bully her and pull her into his schemes. He insists he does not want to know what is in her past, but advises that it is sometimes better to take a risk rather than do what is wrong. She later surprises him when they and the other servants go to the seaside by saying he encouraged her not to be afraid, that his strength has made her strong (to which he replies "My what?!").
1925
Since Jimmy's dismissal, Molesley is the only footman in Downton. He defends Phyllis Baxter from Thomas's bullying but gets shocked when Thomas reveals Baxter's past which included her stealing jewellery from her old employer and sentenced to 3 years in prison. Molesley confronts Baxter about her past, emphasizing that there has to be a reason for her jewellery heist i.e. if someone she cared about was going through some troubles. Molesley is torn between his fondness for Baxter and his own moral code in abiding by Downton traditions and rules. He once tried to dye his hair to look younger much to Lord Grantham's shock asking if Molesley has Italian blood.
Quotes
- "I've felt fragile my whole life." - to Miss Baxter.
- "Sometimes it's better to take a risk than to go down the wrong path." - to Miss Baxter regarding Thomas Barrow.
Appearances
| Appearances and Mentions | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series 1 | Episode 1 | Episode 2 Appears |
Episode 3 | Episode 4 Appears |
Episode 5 Appears |
Episode 6 | Episode 7 Appears |
— | — |
| Series 2 | Episode 1 Appears |
Episode 2 Appears |
Episode 3 | Episode 4 Appears |
Episode 5 Appears |
Episode 6 Appears |
Episode 7 | Episode 8 Appears |
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 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 5 | 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 6 | 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 |
Behind the scenes
- According to The World of Downton Abbey (2011) and The Chronicles of Downton Abbey: A New Era (2012) his first name is Alfred[2] but in Episode 4.06 his name is revealed to be Joseph.
References
- ↑ Molesley states he is 51 in episode 5.01 (1924). This would conflict with his eligibility for conscription in 1916 (episode 2.01), as that would make him 43 at the time and thus two years too old. At the time conscription applied to men up to the age of 41.
- ↑ The Chronicles of Downton Abbey: A New Era, by Jessica Fellowes & Matthew Sturgis, Harper Collins Publishers, 2012, Series 3 cast list, page 316.