One of Downton Abbey's most popular characters Thomas Barrow is no stranger to facing difficulties, but is he ever going to find the happiness he deserves?

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On Monday, The Backlot posted an interview with Robert James-Collier (Thomas) who dished on his character's difficult triumphs with having to hide his sexuality. After the latest episode took on aversion therapy to "cure" Thomas of being gay, it left a shock on how treatments like this existed in those days and still exist today.

"This practice still goes on today which I was completely shocked about when I started looking into it," James-Collier said. "I thought this kind of behavior and madness would've stopped years ago, but it's still going on to this day!"

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As for Thomas's future, is he ever going to be able to feel happy with someone? The actor thinks it's possible, but it couldn't be public knowledge.

"He needs to find a partner and obviously it can't be an open display of affection," James-Collier said. "It would have to be secret, but if he did find a partner and they kept it behind closed doors, he could be very happy. I think that's what Thomas wanted from Day One. The opening episode [of the series] where he kissed the Duke, he just wanted to love."

"I do think all he's wanted is to love and be loved and if he got that, even behind closed doors so society couldn't see it, I think he'd be happy," the actor added.

Downton Abbey airs on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on PBS.

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