Mr. Bates & Anna

Bates, John: Lord Grantham's valet. He's got a bum leg and a past history as a drunk and a thief. Initially disliked by some of the staff for being given such a prestigious position, he found an ally in Anna, the head housemaid, who quickly fell in love with him. Bates is an old friend of Lord Grantham and has earned his loyalty (and thus his position) for some unknown reason related to their serving in the Boer Wars together.

Anna Smith: The head housemaid at Downton, Anna is kind and trustworthy. In season one, she fell in love with Bates, Lord Grantham's old friend and valet.