Toby Nightingale

> "No, I'm not all right. I could have died and then where would you be?"― Toby to Adam[src]
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**Toby Nightingale** is the lead actor in the fictional miniseries *Life of Byron*. He was portrayed by Rory Fleck Byrne.

## Background

Toby has started to make a name for himself as an actor and is on his way to being a household name. He portrayed a blind character in a film called 'The Shoe Shiner' which Alison informs him is her favorite movie.

Upon his arrival at Button House he has taken on the role of George Gordon Byron, known simply as Lord Byron, for the miniseries 'The Life of Byron' which, as the name would suggest, was to chronicle the events of Lord Byron's life during the Regency period. He appears to have no thoughts nor feelings regarding the house itself and is more focused on his work though becomes increasingly distracted when they film the first scene and Robin messes with the lights, then again when Alison motions for Robin to stop and when she grumbles out loud rather dramatically; he's also completely unaware he's working on an unstable floor which could give way at any time if too much weight is on it. When Alison tries to apologize for all the weirdness that has happened in his short time at the house Toby does his best to make himself look good to her by claiming he was so deep in the scene he'd not noticed any of this.

Later he asks Alison to run lines with him because he feels asking the actress playing Lady Jane would 'stifle spontaneity', however, the scene is full of declarations of love and has many sexual hints which he has obviously used to flirt with her without actually flirting with her. Alison even mistakes the first line of 'I have thought of no one but you all day' as him speaking to her directly rather than reciting a line. As soon as the lines are said he grabs a bottle of water and his lunch from one of the crew and walks away without another word to Alison - who he keeps calling Abigail.

When he spots Alison walk by as he eats his lunch he quickly clamps his eyes shut and pretends to be overly enjoying his food as he'd previously lied to her and claimed that for his role in 'The Shoe Shiner' he'd spent time at a hotel for the blind and now only ate with his eyes closed. Moments later when Alison's attention is taken away my Mike he heads over and enquires if Mike is going for a run, he uses this conversation to further amaze Alison and tells her that he is in training for his next role where he'll be going up a mountain, pleased that Alison is suitably impressed returns to his lunch.

The crew move on to filming a sex scene for the miniseries after lunch, this scene is closed off to just essential personnel as it would contain nudity. Shortly before action is called Toby stands outside the door to get himself in the zone, he huffs and growls as he beats his chair - hairy just as Kitty had hoped - oblivious to the fact he does this more or less right in the Captain's face. When the scene starts he rushes into the bedroom and starts to say his lines, but as he steps forwards the floor underneath him gives way and Toby ends up dangling between the ground and first floor. He screams and flailed as Mike attempts to grab his legs and lower him then falls completely through where he lands atop Mike with his crotch in the other man's face. Toby continues to panic and scream until he spots Alison watching them which is when he forces himself to his feet and lets anger take over.

Due to the accident the crew and actors pack up quickly and leave never to return to Button House.

## Appearance

Toby is a fairly attractive man with thick brown hair and dark eyes. He has a lean frame and cares about his appearance greatly.

## Personality

He's a highly self-absorbed person who thinks he's better than those around him, especially when it comes to the camera crew because he believes himself to be the star. He treats those around him as underlings and servants who only exist to make him look better. Toby puffs himself up around women he finds attractive, most notably being Alison, and makes a show of telling her all his accomplishments as well as the research he'll go to for a role. Toby also enjoys hearing how much other people love him and having them big up his ego. At one point he refuses to acknowledge the 1st assistant director, Adam, until he calls him 'Lord Byron' as if he's so deep into the character; he's completely unaware the rest of the crew just think him an idiot.

## Trivia

* Toby is the 'free pass' of Alison Cooper.
* He always mistakes Alison's name for Abigail. If he does this because he's not good with names or because he arrogantly doesn't care is unclear, although the latter is much more likely.