Downton Abbey
20th Annual SAG Awards: Jeanne Cooper, Julie Harris Remembered In Tribute! Downton Abbey's Maggie Smith Wins In Upset!
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins
Last night on the televised presentation of the 20th Annual SAG Awards honoring the best in film and television as voted on by the performers in SAG-AFTRA, there were some notable moments for daytime and primetime soap fans!
Among the performers remembered in the “In Memorium” tribute introduced by Tom Hanks were The Young and the Restless beloved and iconic Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor), as well as motion picture star Paul Walker who played Brandon Collins in his younger days, and One Day at a Time star Bonnie Franklin, who guest-starred as Sister Celeste in scenes with Eric Braeden’s Victor Newman, both on the CBS soap opera.
The legendary Julie Harris was also part of the tribute and is remembered by soap fans for her days as Knots Landing as Lillimae Clements!
In what was a surprise by many, Downton Abbey’s Maggie Smith Smith work as Dowager Countess of Grantham on Downton Abbey beat out drama heavy favorites such as Claire Danes, Kerry Washington, Jessica Lange and Anna Gunn in the Best Actress in a Drama Series category. Smith was not present, so Mindy Kailing and James Marsden, who presented the category, accepted the award on her behalf!
What did you think of the inclusion of Jeanne Cooper in the In Memorium package? What do you think of Maggie Smith’s win for Downton? Let us know!
In a statement from her sons as shared by Smith’s publicist, Clair Dobbs: “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September. An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end, She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days.”
In 1979, Dame Maggie was awarded a second Academy Award, this time for Best Supporting Actress, for her performance in Neil Simon’s California Suite. She has also received British Academy Film Awards for her work, including for her roles in 1985’s A Room with a View and 1987’s The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne.
Photo: JPI
Smith was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1990, and from then on was widely known as “Dame Maggie Smith” Audiences got to see the widely-acclaimed actress in the US and the UK, once again when she took on the role of Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey. The acclaimed period drama about the British aristocracy ran for six seasons, 2010-2015 in the UK and into the beginning of 2016 in the US. She received three Primetime Emmy Awards for the role, and returned to reprise the part for the Downton Abbey 2019 feature-length film.
Photo: BBC
Several of Smith’s Downton Abbey co-stars have shared their grief, including Michelle Dockery (ex-Lady Mary Crawley) who expressed,”There was no one quite like Maggie. I feel tremendously lucky to have known such a maverick. She will be deeply missed and my thoughts are with her family.”
Hugh Bonneville (ex-Robert Crawley) who played Smith’s on-screen son in the series, wrote, “Anyone who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent. She was a true legend of her generation and thankfully will live on in so many magnificent screen performances. My condolences to her boys and wider family.”
Throughout her life, Smith was married twice. Once to Robert Stephens, and later to playwright Beverley Cross, from 1975 until his death in 1998. She is survived by her two sons, Toby and Chris.
Share your remembrances and your condolences for the great Dame Maggie Smith via the comment section below.
So many of us loved the soap opera that was Downton Abbey when it aired on PBS and ITV for six seasons. Then, a few years later in 2019, the highly-awaited Downton Abbey movie hit movie theatres near you.
Now comes word from Focus Features that a big-screen sequel is in the works and is slated for release this Christmas in December of 2021.
In a social media announcement, the film company shared: “We’re thrilled to announce that Julian Fellowes and the entire Downton cast are back for #DowntonAbbey2, with Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West joining! See the film in theaters this Christmas.”
While, of course, no plot has been teased or given away, Fellowes will write the screenplay, with Simon Curtis (My Week with Marilyn) set to direct.
“There’s no place like home for the holidays, and we can’t imagine a better gift than getting to reunite with Julian, (producer) Gareth Neame and the entire Downton family in 2021 to bring the Crawleys back home for their fans,” said Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawsk in a statement.
So, excited to see your favorites and some potential new ones in the all-new Downton Abbey Movie later this year? Comment below.
Finally, Downton Abbey fans get a preview of the upcoming motion picture that is set for release in theatres on September 20th.
What we know is that the The film is set in 1927 and the plot revolves around the King and Queen of England coming to the estate for a visit and so … the Crawleys must prepare their arrival. In fact, they have to bring back Mr. Carson to help!
Featured in the trailer are series stars, who are also back for the film: Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Michelle Dockery, Matthew Goode, Joanne Froggatt, Jim Carter and Maggie Smith.
Series creator Julian Fellowes wrote the script and Michael Engler will serve as director. Engler directed the two-hours series finale.
As fans know, Downton Abbey ran on PBS Masterpiece for six seasons here in the U.S.
Check out the trailer, and then let us know if you are excited to see the movie? Comment below.
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Has Dylan’s Mystery Caller/Stalker Been Revealed to Be an Alive Luna Nozawa?
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick Confesses His Drug Problem to Victor; Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, Eric Braeden Bring the Newman Bond
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside
DAYS Stephen Nichols Remembers Drake Hogestyn as the ‘Most Vital, Enthusiastic, Committed Man I Ever Knew’ Ahead of the PanCan PurpleStride Walk
DAYS Stephen Nichols and Co-Stars Walk in Honor of Drake Hogestyn at PanCan PurpleStride LA, ‘I Felt Him With Us’
Brandon Barash Granted Restraining Order Against ‘General Hospital’s’ Kirsten Storms
‘Days of Our Lives’ Rob Scott Wilson Talks ‘Turning Heel’ as Necktie Killer, Ben Weston
Paige Herschell Marks One-Year as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jacinda Bracken
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Has Dylan’s Mystery Caller/Stalker Been Revealed to Be an Alive Luna Nozawa?
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick Confesses His Drug Problem to Victor; Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, Eric Braeden Bring the Newman Bond
WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus Talks Humble Beginnings, Test and Albert, WrestleMania 22 with Mickie James, Current Women’s Roster (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
Judith Light Talks Her Role in ‘The Terror: The Devil In Silver’ Dropping on AMC+ with Co-Star ‘Downton Abbey’ Alum, Dan Stevens
-
Days Of Our Lives1 week agoDAYS Stephen Nichols Remembers Drake Hogestyn as the ‘Most Vital, Enthusiastic, Committed Man I Ever Knew’ Ahead of the PanCan PurpleStride Walk
-
Days Of Our Lives5 days agoDAYS Stephen Nichols and Co-Stars Walk in Honor of Drake Hogestyn at PanCan PurpleStride LA, ‘I Felt Him With Us’
-
General Hospital4 days agoBrandon Barash Granted Restraining Order Against ‘General Hospital’s’ Kirsten Storms
-
Days Of Our Lives4 days ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Rob Scott Wilson Talks ‘Turning Heel’ as Necktie Killer, Ben Weston
-
General Hospital1 week agoPaige Herschell Marks One-Year as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jacinda Bracken
-
General Hospital6 days agoGH’s Giovanni Mazza Performs Violin Version of Michael Jackson’s ‘Smooth Criminal’ at LA Lakers Playoff Game; Co-Stars Heap High Praise
-
General Hospital1 week agoSteve Burton’s Wife, Michelle Lundstrom, Raises Alarm on AI Scammers and Hoaxes, Pretending to be the ‘General Hospital’ Star
-
Days Of Our Lives3 days ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Conner Floyd on Chad’s Quest For Abigail’s Resurrection; But Who Should Be Cast as NuAbby?
Love Downton Abbey. Maggie smith is terrific and you never know what will come out of her mouth. That show is one show I watch every sunday over the garbage the networks are putting on.
Jeanne Cooper has been in movies hadn’t she ? she is well known and she deserved to be mentioned. Looked like they at least didn’t forget anyone. They did a good job with that. I watched because I am a big Rita Moreno fan. First I watched West Side Story,then turned the channel and there she was getting another award.congratulations to them all.I never watch either the Oscars or the primetime emmys.They are not my thing.
Smith deserves the award for Downton Abbey, she’s fantastic!!! IMO the only one that comes close to her is Claire Danes in Homeland.
Jessica Lange was robbed! She is phenomenal on American Horror Story!
It was nice to see Jeanne Cooper in the tribute. I love Maggie Smith in Downton. She plays her character perfectly. Maybe a suprise as lead but you can’t question her talent.
Thrilled with recognition of late Jeanne Cooper.
I am also ecstatic over Dame Maggie Smith’s win as Dowager Countess. Best character.
Wonderful they recognized Jeanne. She did have a film career before Y&R. How nice Maggie Smith won. She is fabulous!
Considering SAG has quite a large membership and that they would not take the time to note the passing of every member that died in that calendar year, for her to be included must mean they felt she made a significant contribution to her craft over the years. So good for Jeanne and I am sorry I missed it, but I get award show fatigue at this time of year, so I limit myself to the Oscars.
Congratulations to Dame Maggie….that woman is an absolute treasure and her award was most well-deserved!!! She is the heart and soul of “Downton Abbey” as the Dowager Countess Violet Crawley….adore her aristocratic bearing and biting bon mots! Cannot imagine that show without her!!!!!
Congrats to Maggie Smith. Love @DowntonAbbey .. & .. kudos to SAG for honouring Jeanne Cooper.
Glad that Jeanne Cooper, Bonnie Franklin, & Paul Walker were included. Did anyone else notice that in the clip for Michael Ansara Jeanne was part of the clip.
The thing that sagged the most this year was Y&R. It deserved a SAG award too.
I just love Maggie Smith as Violet … I want her to be my Grandmother! She tells it like it is without a lot of flowery talk. I love her cynical attitude. You go girl! Please don’t kill off her character!