Downton Abbey star Matthew Goode has shared a terrific new story concerning the late Maggie Smith’s favourite day on set. Dame Maggie Smith, who sadly handed away in September 2024, was an integral a part of the Downton Abbey franchise. The enduring British actress received three Emmy Awards for taking part in Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, through the present’s five-season run. Although Julian Fellowes’ collection was undoubtedly an ensemble present, Smith’s portrayal of Violet was the simple spotlight for a lot of.
Smith’s legacy stays as steadfast as ever. Lately, certainly one of her Downton Abbey co-stars, Matthew Goode, who performed Henry Talbot, a racing driver and Woman Mary Crawley’s eventual husband, shared an amusing and beautiful anecdote about Maggie Smith and a very memorable day on the set of Downton Abbey season 6. Talking to Deadline, Goode recounted what it was prefer to movie Mary and Henry’s wedding ceremony day.
GOODE: I spoke to Michelle [Dockery] at size about what we may presumably… I believe we have been going to attempt to ask for a slight rewrite or one thing or different. After which finally it was simply that they have been transferring forward. It was an enormous racecourse day, so the factor was booked, and I used to be by no means going to have the ability to do it, which was a disgrace as a result of I like that forged. To be on a set with Hugh [Bonneville] and Allen [Leech]. I’ve obtained nice tales from these units. We really gave Maggie Smith one of many best days of her life, she mentioned. She got here off [set], and she or he mentioned, “I think that might’ve been my favorite day on a set ever.”
DEADLINE: What did you do?
GOODE: It was the marriage of our characters, and we shot it out very secretively someplace out within the countryside. I believe in Oxford someplace. And our inexperienced room for 20 actors was the backyard of an ex-Concorde pilot. That is going to sound jolly unprofessional, and it’s a bit unprofessional, nevertheless it’s f*cking humorous. He got here out with a bottle of rosé and simply put it on the desk, a bottle of Minuty, which was a pleasant Aix-en-Province rosé. And clearly all the opposite actors, they checked out it and so they’re like, “No. Well, obviously we can’t do that.” I’m only a bit naughty. I don’t know if it’s coming throughout or not. And it was actually sizzling, and it was me and the perspiration was rolling down the bottle and I mentioned, “I’ll have a glass, thank you so much.” And I sat and I quaffed it bloody shortly. And I mentioned, “Is it OK if I have another one?” And then you definately began to see all the opposite actors, significantly those that didn’t have any traces that day, only a large ensemble piece, none of us had that a lot to do, actually. So all of us began ingesting. We went by way of 22 bottles of rosé. Nobody was drunk. However my god, have been we merry. And for those who’ve made Maggie Smith completely satisfied, then it may well’t be incorrect. He was a gentleman and it was a beautiful home and beautiful backyard as properly. And likewise we gave them good tales as a result of then all of a sudden they’ve obtained a ton of half-cut, fairly well-known individuals of their backyard having nice enjoyable. So, they’ve obtained anecdotes for the remainder of their life. I wouldn’t do it once more although for any future producers listening.
Downton Abbey Will not Be The Similar With out Violet Crawley
She Was An Integral Half Of Its Success
Smith was a part of Downton Abbey for all six seasons and the primary two motion pictures, a number one pressure to be reckoned with as she stored her at-times dramatic household according to her zingy quips and stern, however honest, judgment. She was the comedic coronary heart of the present. Although the second movie gave her character an emotional and bittersweet sendoff, she’ll be sorely missed within the upcoming third and closing Downton Abbey film, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. It is going to be fascinating to see how her household handles the property and their difficult lives with out her.
Our Take On Dame Maggie Smith’s Legacy
She’s A British Performing Legend For A Motive
Maggie Smith was sleek, humorous, and witty, and she or he absolutely dedicated herself to each function, even when she was in poor health, whether or not it was in an Emmy-winning interval drama, a significant fantasy franchise, or a small British indie movie. As a legend on each the stage and display screen, she had an unimaginable presence, a piercing gaze, and a surprising emotional vary. Everyone knows and love her from Downton Abbey and Harry Potter, however she was additionally fabulous in titles like The Finest Unique Marigold Resort, Gosford Park, Sister Act, and so many extra.
Matthew Goode’s anecdote offers a beautiful method to keep in mind this iconic actress. I am certain Violet Crawley would have accredited that day on set, too. Despite the fact that the Dowager Countess’ Downton Abbey story ended within the final movie, Downton Abbey: A New Period, watching the upcoming film with out the late Dame Maggie Smith’s presence now shall be an much more emotional expertise.
Supply: Deadline
Created by
Julian Fellowes
Upcoming Movies
Downton Abbey 3
First TV Present
Downton Abbey
