One of many stars of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale has shared what it was prefer to be on set with out the late Dame Maggie Smith. Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is at present set to be the ultimate installment in Julian Fellowes’ Downton Abbey franchise, because the Crawley household and their family workers enter the instability of the Thirties. With the looming world financial turmoil of the Nice Melancholy, the Crawleys will likely be compelled to navigate a brand new period with out their beloved, snarky matriarch, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, Violet Crawley.

Violet Crawley, splendidly portrayed by Maggie Smith all through six seasons and two Downton Abbey movies, handed away within the second Downton Abbey film, Downton Abbey: A New Period. Whereas it was all the time the plan to say goodbye to Girl Grantham, her absence in The Grand Finale will likely be much more bittersweet after Smith’s passing in September final yr. Throughout an interview with ScreenRant’s Grant Hermanns for the MobLand season 1 finale, star Joanne Froggatt, who’s portrayed head housemaid Anna Bates since Downton’s very first episode, mentioned the way it felt to movie The Grand Finale with out Maggie Smith.

Yeah, clearly, I did not have many scenes with Maggie; it was solely the large group scenes that we would all be collectively. She was drastically missed, she was drastically missed. It was an odd and kind of heat feeling, and in addition a tragic feeling. She leaves a giant gap; she actually does go away a giant gap within the ensemble forged. Maggie was such an enormous a part of, not solely on display screen, however off display screen, our group. And, as I say, though Maggie and I did not actually have one-on-one scenes collectively, for any group scenes, we would all be collectively, and there was this large character and this large expertise lacking from that. So, it was actually unhappy, but additionally we felt proud to be flying the flag for her one final time, and she or he was spoken about very fondly on so many events, most likely daily. “Do you remember when Maggie said this? Remember when we did this?” It was a stunning technique to bear in mind her, really, throughout the technique of filming for all of us.

What This Means For Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

Maggie Smith’s Presence Will Be Felt All through The Film

Froggatt’s feedback affirm that Maggie Smith’s absence and legacy will permeate each inch of Downton Abbey’s (potential) final hurrah, as they remembered her lovingly throughout manufacturing. Although the complete ensemble forged of Downton is beloved, Maggie Smith’s Violet Crawley was a agency fan-favorite, and her character’s fast wit, sarcasm, boldness, and take care of Downton Abbey’s previous, current, and future have been a number one presence within the present. It should definitely be unusual to see the household function with out her. Maggie Smith’s efficiency was legendary.

Julian Fellowes, Downton’s creator, echoed Froggatt’s feedback in a latest interview, explaining that the lack of each Smith and Violet performs a serious half in The Grand Finale. In keeping with the showrunner, the Crawleys are nonetheless studying to navigate life with out the Dowager Countess; she was a drive to be reckoned with, in any case. Fellows defined that it was a deliberate option to make it in order that Violet and Smith could be equally missed throughout Downton’s upcoming film. Her presence and legacy have been extraordinary, and that is not one thing you may ignore.

Our Take On Downton Abbey’s Closing Outing

How Will We Say Goodbye To This Beloved Property?

Understandably, The Grand Finale has been billed as Downton’s final outing. Although we might, doubtlessly, observe this household for generations to return, Downton Abbey turned so beloved for a motive; the unique forged, together with Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess, is among the greatest the explanation why, as we got here to like and perceive the 2 halves of the Downton family equally. We wish to know the way the Crawleys perform with out Violet, however after that, it will be time for his or her journeys of progress and alter to finish, as everybody settles into their well-deserved new roles and chosen lives.

Downton Abbey turned so beloved for a motive; the unique forged, together with Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess, is among the greatest the explanation why.

By no means say by no means, although. Fellowes has refused to verify whether or not The Grand Finale is actually Downton Abbey’s closing chapter. Whereas he did make it a degree to say that he thought it might be the final installment with the unique forged, there’s all the time the chance that he’ll provide you with a brand new story thought sooner or later (through Deadline). Whether or not or not Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale does find yourself being this beloved interval drama’s final outing, it definitely does really feel like a closing goodbye to Violet Crawley and the magnificent late Dame Maggie Smith.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale arrives in cinemas on September 12.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

Launch Date

September 12, 2025

Director

Simon Curtis

Writers

Julian Fellowes

Producers

Liz Trubridge, Nigel Marchant

Hugh Bonneville

Robert Crawley

Laura Carmichael

Edith Crawley

Phyllis Logan

Elsie Hughes

Robert James-Collier

Thomas Barrow