Phyllis Baxter[1] is Cora Crawley's lady's maid at Downton Abbey.
Biography
Early life
Baxter seems to have some sort of history with Thomas Barrow, he having suggested her for the role. He also seems to have some sort of hold over her and gets Baxter to relay to him the goings on of the house.
She also thinks Molesley lucky that he grew up in a village where everyone knows and respects him, suggesting that she may not have experienced those things herself. She also mentions having once lived in London, but that it did not work out for her.
1922-1923
Baxter is hired by Mr Carson as lady's maid for Cora Crawley, Sarah O'Brien and then Edna Braithwaite having left that position and the house. Barrow had put her forth himself, claiming he knew her well and that she was more than qualified.
When Bates asks his wife Anna what she thinks of her, she thinks Baxter is nice. Cora herself is pleased with her as a lady's maid. She remarks that Baxter reminded her of her past following bringing her breakfast, which includes orange juice. She also later says Baxter is coming along splendidly to her husband.
Baxter brings with her a sewing machine to Downton, which Mrs Patmore at first is suspicious of, until it is used to repair an apron just in time for when Lady Grantham would be coming downstairs.
She turns out to have a past with Thomas, who uses a secret about her past to manipulate her. What her secret is remains unknown. She is however uncomfortable with spying for Thomas on the family and on Anna to find out what is wrong with her marriage. Barrow advises her to not make enemies downstairs, citing it as O'Brien's mistake.
Baxter becomes closer to Joseph Molesley when Thomas is away in America as valet to Robert, and when Thomas returns Molesley defends her against him, saying that "we'll have no bullying here". She also surprises him by saying he was lucky to live in a village where people know and respect him, suggesting she did not have that luxury.
Barrow still has hold over her in 1923, but Molesley approaches her at Grantham House while the Prince of Wales is dancing. He insists to her that he doesn't know what's in her past and doesn't wish to, but she cannot let Barrow bully her or pull her into his schemes. She feels that is easier said than done, but he insists that it is sometimes better to take a risk than do the wrong thing. She becomes encouraged not to be afraid of her past and what it includes, telling Molesley when they and the other servants while at the seaside that his strength has made her strong, much to his amazement.
Appearances
| Appearances and Mentions | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series 4 | Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | Episode 5 Appears |
Episode 6 Appears |
Episode 7 Appears |
Episode 8 Appears |
Christmas Special Appears |
| 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 |
Trivia
- She is the second of Cora's maids who has some kind of relationship with Thomas.
- She likes milk but no sugar in her coffee.