Maggie Smith plans to retire after her work as Violet Crawley in “Downton Abbey: A New Era.” The British actress, who died on Friday aged 89, chatted with her co-star Dominic West on the set of the 2022 drama about her decision.
West, 54, recalled at a press conference the same year, “I sat across from him at that famous table for two or three days and just talked to him and listened to his hilarious jokes and sly comments.” Independent,
“She said at one point that she was going to throw in the towel. He said: 'That's it. I'm not going to do anything else.' And I said: 'What?' acting?' And she said: 'Yeah, no more acting.'”
Smith was also ready to leave the stage.
“I said: 'Theater too?'” West continued. “And she said: 'No, I'm not even doing theatre, and it will be my last job.' And that was incredibly emotional.
The “Wire” alumnus felt as if he was “witnessing history” amid their exchange, noting that “it was very emotional to hear that this great, great actress is no longer going to act. Was.”
However, Smith kept him on his toes.
“And then I went back the next week, and I said: 'This is so sad Maggie,'” he recalled. “And he said: 'Bullshit!' He has booked another film which will start next week.”
In fact, Smith played Lily Fox in 2023's “The Miracle Club,” which would be her final role.
The two-time Oscar winner appeared in more than 50 films, and won gold statuettes for “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” (1969) and “California Suite” (1978).
She was perhaps best known for playing Professor Minerva McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” film franchise and Violet Crawley in the “Downton Abbey” series. Her other credits include “Hook,” “Sister Act,” “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit” and “Tea with Mussolini.”
Also known for her stage work, Smith won a Tony Award in 1990 for “Lettuce and Lovage”. In the same year she was also made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II for her contribution to the performing arts.
Smith's sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, confirmed his death. BBC On Friday.
“He passed away peacefully in hospital this morning, Friday September 27,” the statement said.
“An extremely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves behind two sons and five loving grandchildren who are heartbroken at the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother,” he added.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unwavering kindness during his final days,” he said. “We thank you for all of your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”
The married star shares her sons with her ex-husband, actor Robert Stephens. The couple married in 1967 and divorced in 1975. He married playwright Beverley Cross in 1975 and they remained together until her death in March 1998.
He is survived by his son and five grandchildren.
