How will Maggie Smith’s death affect Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale? Here’s what the late actress’ co-star revealed

The late actor Maggie Smith, who passed away last year in 2024, her presence shall be greatly missed in the forthcoming film, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.

Her co-star from the earlier films of the franchise, Elizabeth McGovern, spoke to The Guardian, remembering the veteran actor. The actor talks about how the absence of Maggie Smith in the upcoming film is going to impact the film.

In the interview, McGovern says that even though Smith's character, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, Violet Crawley, does not physically make an appearance, her character still has a presence in the film. She says:

"She’s still very much in the atmosphere."

Keep reading to find out more about what Elizabeth McGovern says about the impact of Maggie Smith's absence in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.

---

"But everything she represents is there", says Elizabeth McGovern about Maggie Smith's absence in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

Distinguished actor Maggie Smith has appeared in the role of Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, in the last two films of the Downton Abbey film franchise. The other two films include Downton Abbey (2019) and Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022). The films of the franchise are based on the prominent British television series, Downton Abbey (2010-2015).

However, after the demise of the veteran actor in 2024, her presence will be dearly missed in the third and last film of the franchise, the upcoming Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.

Her co-actor from the franchise, Elizabeth McGovern, who plays the role of the Countess of Grantham, Cora Crawley, talks about the influence of Smith's character in the film while speaking to The Guardian.

In the interview, McGovern further mentions that even though Maggie Smith's character is not physically in attendance, her character has a strong spiritual presence in the entire film. She also feels that her absence is not gravely impacting the flow of the storyline. In fact, she feels that it could give breathing space for the remaining aspects of the storyline in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, as she says:

"I don’t feel there’s a big hole. In fact, in some ways, it sort of freed up the rest of the narrative to have a flow, because it’s not stopping for her moments. But everything she represents is there. She’s in every room, in every interaction, so it’s not like she’s not there. It’s a weird thing.”

On similar lines, in an interview with Deadline, Elizabeth McGovern talks about the impact of Maggie Smith's character in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale as well. In the interview, McGovern expresses that even though she was initially worried about the impact the story would have without her, eventually she realized that it did not seem to her 'like the bottom’s dropped out of it'. Continuing:

"Which is what I was worried you’d feel without her, because she’s really there.”

Furthermore, the actor mentions that Smith's non-appearance did not prevent the makers of the film from continuing with the storyline. The makers had found a way of continuing the storyline, whilst keeping Smith's presence in the film. In fact, it could have opened doors to some other possibilities, as she continues:

“Which delighted audiences and I love, but I think it gives it sort of wings in a way … It allows it to sort of fly on its own.”

Elizabeth McGovern lastly mentions the veteran actor's indelible presence in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, as she says:

“But she’s there. She’s permeates everything, definitely.”

The Academy, Golden Globe, and BAFTA-winning actor Maggie Smith is fondly remembered for her expansive work on both stage and screen. In fact, who can forget her iconic and timeless portrayal of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films?

Apart from her work in Harry Potter, some of her highly distinguished works on screen include Othello (1965), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969), Death on the Nile (1978), A Room with a View (1985), The Secret Garden (1993), My House in Umbria (2003), Quartet (2012), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012), The Lady in the Van (2015), to name a few.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is releasing on 12th September 2025. Along with Elizabeth McGovern, the film stars Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Paul Copley, Raquel Cassidy, Brendan Coyle, Kevin Doyle, Michelle Dockery, and many others.

---

Stay tuned for more such stories at Soap Central!

Also read: NBC to air a Downton Abbey special to commemorate the final film of the franchise