Elizabeth McGovern honors Maggie Smith as Downton Abbey legacy endures
Elizabeth McGovern has paid a heartfelt tribute to her late Downton Abbey co-star Maggie Smith, who died on September 27, 2024 at the age of 89. In a recent interview, McGovern—who portrayed Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham—said the idea of moving forward without Smith felt daunting, but she sensed Smith’s presence lingering in the show’s world.
“I thought it would be absolutely horrible. I think a lot of the actors were really frightened of the idea, but the funny thing is I felt like she was there,” McGovern recalled, adding that she didn’t miss her as much as she expected, as if the spirit of Smith continued to inhabit the halls and rooms of Downton Abbey.
In the wake of Smith’s passing, Judi Dench also spoke fondly of her longtime friend. Dench, who learned of Smith’s death alongside the public, described a touching tribute: she kept a crab apple tree she had carried at Smith’s funeral, a symbol she had planted in memory of the beloved actor. The two stars first met in the dressing room at the Old Vic theatre in 1957.
Dench and Smith shared screen history in several projects, including A Private Function (1984), A Room with a View (1985), Tea with Mussolini (1999), Ladies in Lavender (2004), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011) and its sequel The Second Best Marigold Hotel (2015).
The loss of Smith has prompted reflections on her extraordinary career across theatre and film, and colleagues emphasize that her legacy will continue to inspire. Downton Abbey fans also await Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, the franchise’s third film, which will proceed without Smith and honor the world she helped define.
Commentary and context:
– Smith’s influence spans stage and screen, with a career marked by performances that blended wit, warmth and praiseworthy range.
– The tributes from McGovern and Dench underscore a deep professional and personal bond among longtime collaborators, highlighting how peers carry forward memories in creative ways.
– The Downton Abbey franchise remains a touchstone for fans, offering a way to celebrate Smith’s enduring impact while welcoming new chapters that her colleagues continues to honor.
Summary:
– Elizabeth McGovern’s reflections celebrate Maggie Smith’s enduring presence and influence in Downton Abbey’s universe.
– Judi Dench’s memory ritual—planting a tree and carrying a keepsake—emphasizes the personal bonds within the acting community.
– The legacy of Smith lives on through the ongoing Downton Abbey project and the many films shared with Dench.
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