Who plays the character of Dr. Clarkson?

David Robb plays Dr. Clarkson in Downton Abbey. The character, Richard Clarkson, is the Crawley family doctor and a general practitioner at the Downton cottage hospital.

Dr. Clarkson is involved in several of the series’ major medical storylines. During the First World War he serves as an army surgeon, and he supports the conversion of the Downton estate into a convalescent home. His medical judgment is also central to the difficult storyline surrounding Lady Sybil’s eclampsia and death.

Robb had already worked extensively in British television, theatre and radio before joining Downton Abbey. Earlier screen roles included Andrew Fraser MP in First Among Equals and consultant Henry Reeve-Jones in Casualty. He played Dr. Clarkson across the original series and returned for the feature films.

A likely source of confusion is that “Dr. Clarkson” is the character’s title and surname, while David Robb is the actor. The other names listed were also Downton cast members, but none played the family physician.