Former EastEnders star Nigel Harman will join the cast of Downton Abbey in series four, it has been confirmed.
The actor - who played Albert Square favourite Dennis Rickman from 2003-2005 - will reportedly play a valet named Green in the new series, although no further details were revealed.
And it is one of the first major TV roles that Nigel will have undertaken since his dramatic EastEnders depature.
Since his character - who was married to Sharon Watts - was killed off he has worked largely on stage, appearing in such West End hits as Guys and Dolls and, more recently, Shrek The Musical.
The 38-year-old is one of a number of newcomers set to join the hit series as filming of the new episodes gets underway.
Others who are set to appear in series four include New Zealand-born opera legend Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, who will play a house guest at Downton and will sing during her visit.
Meanwhile Julian Ovenden, who recently starred in Sky Atlantic's Smash, will debut as aristocrat Charles Blake, while Welsh actor Tom Cullen - who previously appeared in Black Mirror and the mini-series World Without End - is on board as Lord Gillingham.
The latter is tipped to become Lady Mary's new love interest following the shock death of Matthew Crawley in the Christmas special.
The new arrivals will replace a number of high-profile cast members who have recently quit the show, including Dan Stevens, who played Matthew Crawley, and Siobhan Finneran, who announced earlier this week she would not be returning to the role of Miss O'Brien.
Jessica Brown Findley, who played Lady Sybil Branson, also departed midway through the last series, when her character died shortly after giving birth.
