Maggie Smith, a distinguished actress with an illustrious career, took on the role of Violet Crawley in the beloved series Downton Abbey. The show, which captivated audiences worldwide with its rich storytelling and complex characters, saw Smith’s character as one of the linchpins of its success. Her portrayal of the sharp-witted Dowager Countess brought both humor and depth to the series, leaving an indelible mark on its audience.
Gareth Neame, the producer of Downton Abbey, recently opened up about Smith's reaction to her character’s death in the movie Downton Abbey: A New Era.
According to Neame, Maggie Smith was not overwhelmingly saddened by the departure of Violet Crawley. In a twist that many fans might find surprising, Smith felt a sense of relief. After years of being part of the Downton Abbey phenomenon, perhaps the actress viewed this as a natural conclusion to her time on the show.
“This was a terribly easy one, because she used to find the whole thing so draining at times,” Neame, 57, revealed in a recent interview with the Daily Mail.
“Every year, when another series would come round, she’d say, ‘Oh can’t you just kill me off? ’ So, when we eventually did, I think part of her might have been quite relieved.
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