Brendan Coyle (born 2 December 1963) is a British actor. He is well-known to television audiences for playing Nicholas Higgins in the mini-series North & South, Robert Timmins in the first three series of Lark Rise to Candleford, and John Bates, the valet, in Downton Abbey. The last role earned him a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.