Thomas Howes ( born 16 July 1986 ) is an English actor and musician . He trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama . He is best known for having played the role of William Mason , the second footman in ITV 's '' Downton Abbey '' , and played the role of Manchester United player Mark Jones in the 2011 TV film of the Munich air disaster , '' United '' . He also has performed on the stage in the roles of Dickie in '' The Winslow Boy '' ( The Theatre Royal , Bath ) and Scripps in '' The History Boys '' ( The UK tour of the National Theatre ) , and on radio in the role of Joseph Prado in '' Tulips in Winter '' . He also played the role of Little Ralf in the BBC 's ChuckleVision series '' The Mystery of Little-Under-Standing '' . He played Sir Winston Churchill in an episode of the sixth season of the Canadian TV show '' Murdoch Mysteries '' . In 2016 he played Constable Booth in '' Houdini and Doyle '' , George Ward in '' Dark Angel '' and Samuel Hartley in the BBC 's film '' To Walk Invisible : The Bronte Sisters ''
Munich air disaster
Munich air disaster
Thomas Howes (actor)