The world of Downton Abbey has seen its share of drama, but nothing compares to the behind-the-scenes revelation about Dame Maggie Smith's reaction to her character’s death. The beloved actress, who portrayed the iconic Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, had a surprising response when informed that her character would be meeting her end in the 2022 film Downton Abbey: A New Era.
For many fans, the death of Violet Crawley was a heart-wrenching moment.
Yet, for Dame Maggie Smith, it was a different story. According to producer Gareth Neame, the decision to end Violet’s journey wasn’t a difficult one, largely due to Smith’s long-standing wish. Neame shared that Smith, at 89, had often found the role draining and would frequently joke, “Oh, can’t you just kill me off?” When the time finally came, Smith was more relieved than anything else, embracing the decision with grace and perhaps even a touch of humor.
Violet Crawley’s death was handled with the emotional weight it deserved, leaving no dry eyes in the audience.
The article is not finished. Click on the next page to continue.
The article is not finished. Click on the next page to continue.
Next page
