Third ‘Downton Abbey’ Film to Feature Heartfelt Tribute to Maggie Smith

The well-known actress Dame Maggie Smith died in September at the age of 89. She was praised for many famous performances during her long career, such as her depiction of Dowager Violet Crawley in the ‘Downton Abbey’ series. ‘Downton Abbey’ (2019) and ‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’ (2022) are the two films that have been released thus far in the franchise, which started as a highly regarded television series. Smith’s character, Dowager Violet Crawley, passes away in the second movie. A third movie is presently being made and will have its release in September of next year.

The forthcoming movie will pay homage to Smith and the character, according to executive producer Gareth Neame. According to Neame, Dame Maggie’s actual death has given the intended plotline a deeper meaning. He pointed out that when the cast and characters grieve for the family matriarch, the Dowager’s passing in the movie will seem much more tragic. Neame called Smith’s death “the end of an era” and called this remembrance “genuine and meaningful.” “Dame Maggie Smith will never be seen like this again,” he continued.

Image Courtesy: People

Smith won three Primetime Emmy Awards, four Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Golden Globe Award for her portrayal of Violet Crawley in the original ‘Downton Abbey’ TV series, which ran from 2010 to 2015. She was well regarded for her long career, which spanned more than 60 years, in addition to her role in ‘Downton Abbey’.

Smith debuted on stage in 1956 and went on to win two Academy Awards for her roles in ‘California Suite’ (1978) and ‘The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie’ (1969). ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’, ‘Hook’, and ‘Death on the Nile’ are some of her other well-known pieces. Her contributions to the performing arts earned her the prestigious titles of Emmy, Tony, and Oscar, and in 1990 she was proclaimed a Dame.

Image Courtesy: People

Her admirers and coworkers showered her with tributes after her passing. Her ‘Sister Act’ co-star, Whoopi Goldberg, posted an emotional statement on Instagram, praising Smith as a “great woman and brilliant actress” and thanking her for the chance to collaborate with someone “one-of-a-kind.”

Presenter Gyles Brandreth praised Smith as a “truly great actress” and “simply the best company: wise, witty, waspish, wonderful,” calling her passing “the end of a golden era.” George Takei praised her as “a grand star of screen and stage,” while comedian Omid Djalili referred to her as “one of the best.” Fans of all ages will miss Smith, who was well-known for her parts as Professor McGonagall in the ‘Harry Potter’ movies and the Dowager Countess in ‘Downton Abbey’, Takei continued.

–Farheen Ali 

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