Downton Abbey Star Reveals Maggie Smith’s “Favourite Day On A Set Ever”

Downton Abbey star Matthew Goode has shared an awesome 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 long-lasting British actress gained three Emmy Awards for taking part in Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, throughout the present’s five-season run. Although Julian Fellowes’ collection was undoubtedly an ensemble present, Smith’s portrayal of Violet was the plain spotlight for a lot of.

Smith’s legacy stays as steadfast as ever. Just 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 wonderful 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 wish to movie Mary and Henry’s marriage ceremony day.

GOODE: I spoke to Michelle [Dockery] at size about what we may presumably… I believe we had been going to attempt to ask for a slight rewrite or one thing or different. After which ultimately it was simply that they had 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 really like that forged. To be on a set with Hugh [Bonneville] and Allen [Leech]. I’ve obtained nice tales from these units. We truly gave Maggie Smith one of many best days of her life, she mentioned. She got here off [set], and he or she mentioned, “I believe which may’ve been my favourite 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, but it surely’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 they usually’re like, “No. Nicely, clearly we will’t try this.” I’m only a bit naughty. I don’t know if it’s coming throughout or not. And it was actually scorching, and it was me and the perspiration was rolling down the bottle and I mentioned, “I’ll have a glass, thanks a lot.” And I sat and I quaffed it bloody shortly. And I mentioned, “Is it OK if I’ve one other one?” And you then began to see all the opposite actors, significantly those that didn’t have any strains that day, only a massive ensemble piece, none of us had that a lot to do, actually. So all of us began consuming. We went by way of 22 bottles of rosé. Nobody was drunk. However my god, had been we merry. And in the event you’ve made Maggie Smith joyful, then it might’t be incorrect. He was a gentleman and it was a beautiful home and lovely backyard as nicely. And in addition we gave them good tales as a result of then all of the sudden they’ve obtained a ton of half-cut, fairly well-known folks 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 films, a number one drive to be reckoned with as she stored her at-times dramatic household in step with her zingy quips and stern, however truthful, 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 will likely be attention-grabbing to see how her household handles the property and their sophisticated lives with out her.

Our Take On Dame Maggie Smith’s Legacy

She’s A British Appearing Legend For A Motive

Maggie Smith was sleek, humorous, and witty, and he or she absolutely dedicated herself to each function, even when she was unwell, whether or not it was in an Emmy-winning interval drama, a serious fantasy franchise, or a small British indie movie. As a legend on each the stage and display, she had an unbelievable presence, a piercing gaze, and a shocking emotional vary. Everyone knows and love her from Downton Abbey and Harry Potter, however she was additionally fabulous in titles like The Greatest Unique Marigold Lodge, Gosford Park, Sister Act, and so many extra.

Matthew Goode’s anecdote supplies a beautiful method to keep in mind this iconic actress. I am certain Violet Crawley would have authorized 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