Third "Downton Abbey" film to honour Dame Maggie Smith, who passed away at 89

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Third "Downton Abbey" film to honour Dame Maggie Smith, who passed away at 89

Writer: Heidi Hsia

Maggie Smith's character Dowager Countess Violet Crawley has already passed away in the second film

30 Dec - "Downton Abbey" is set to honour the late Dame Maggie Smith in the upcoming third film.

The news was shared by executive producer Gareth Neame, who said that they are planning a tribute in the untitled third film, which they have actually planned even before her passing, as her own character, the Dowager Countess Violet Crawley passed away in the second movie.

"The fact that Dame Maggie herself has now passed away since that time, I do think, has given a real added poignancy to a story that we would have planned anyway," Neame said. "The loss of the Dowager, it now feels far more significant that you see actors playing characters mourning the family matriarch."

Dame Maggie Smith had been a part of the show since season one of the TV series

Neame added that it feels more meaningful and genuine now as the cast themselves are also mourning the loss of the veteran actress.

Smith passed away on 27 September surrounded by family and friends. She was 89.

The character of the Dowager Countess passed away at the end of "Downton Abbey: A New Era" (2022), also surrounded by family and friends, bringing the end to the beloved character.