‘Downton Abbey’ Adds First Black Cast Member

ITV Gary Carr will join “Downton Abbey” in its fourth season.

Change comes slowly to the venerable halls of “Downton Abbey,” but it does eventually arrive. On Wednesday the producers of that popular British period drama announced a new addition to its roster of characters, played by the first black actor who will appear on the series. ITV, the television network that broadcasts “Downton Abbey” in Britain said on its Web site that Gary Carr, a London-born actor who has appeared on the television series “Bluestone 42″ and “Death in Paradise,” would join “Downton Abbey” in its coming fourth season as Jack Ross, a jazz singer who is described as “a charming and charismatic young man.”

Even for a series about white aristocrats and their servants in the early 20th century, “Downton Abbey” has been criticized for its lack of diversity, and its creator, Julian Fellowes, has said he has wanted to introduce more black and Asian characters if he could do so in a way that was “historically believable.”

Gareth Neame, an executive producer of “Downton Abbey” and the managing director of Carnival Films, which produces the series, said in a statement: “We are delighted to introduce another fantastic, dynamic character to Downton Abbey. His addition will bring interesting twists to the drama which we can’t wait for viewers to see in Series four.”

ITV said that the fourth season of “Downton Abbey” would consist of eight episodes and a “feature length” special that â€" in Britain, at least â€" would be shown at Christmas. PBS, which shows the series in the United States, has not announced its American air dates.