Downton Abbey

Dame Maggie Smith Not Departing Downton Abbey After All?

March 3, 2015

Courtesy/PBS

Courtesy/PBS

This morning, we posted our recap of the season five finale of Downton Abbey and the news that spread like wildfire on Monday that Dame Maggie Smith told The Times in London that she would wrap her run as Lady Violet, the Dowager Countess at the completion of the upcoming sixth season of the British soap opera!

But not so fast! Looks like the series PR team did some emergency damage control relating that Smith’s remarks were misinterpreted as she was suggesting she will leave the TV show after its sixth season later this year.

Milk Publicity said to The Associated Press on Tuesday that Smith spoke lightheartedly, and “has always been on the record as saying she’ll be with the show for as long as the show runs.”

However, since Downton Abbey is renewed a season at a time, it may not matter how long, or how short Smith wanted to stay, if season six proves to be the series last stand.

So, what do you think? Is this a PR spin or was Smith out of Downton after season six if it continued? Share your thoughts below!

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Guest

jimh(leave it to beaver)

She brings a lot of class to an already classy show…wouldnt be the same without her!!!

Guest

jimh(leave it to beaver)

Some believe shows today need to have sex, nudity, gory violence and foul language to be with the times or no one will watch…DA proves that theory wrong and that all one needs is a classy well written drama and they(viewers of all ages) WILL watch…Bravo, Downtown Abbey!!!

Guest

maryjeans

Agree 100%. Uninspired writing needs sex and innuendo to get cheap laughs. Almost any line from DA could stand alone. The whole tone of the series spins a dream state. I often wish they would show two versions of a show or movie, one with all the cheap jokes and scenes removed for those of us who enjoy that. Bravo indeed to Downton Abbey and to PBS as well.

Guest

Shay

Amen to both notions, jimh!!! Downton Abbey is my absolutely all-time favorite program, and I cannot imagine a winter without it! It is always the perfect viewing option for those long, cold January/February Sunday nights, and such a treat after the hustle and bustle of the holidays! I look forward to it each and every year, and once the final episode of the season airs, it’s quite a letdown. While I sadly suspect we may be facing the end of the series, I certainly hope to the contrary. It is possible that all of this talk is merely a bargaining… Read more »

Guest

Rodd

I wholeheartedly agree, Jimh!

Guest

Michael (not Fairman)

Isn’t it interesting that despite the success of DA, which I think has shown there is an audience out there desperately craving the kind of programming it represents (good writing, good acting, not relying on cheap stunts, graphic violence, overt sexuality, etc.), we keep hearing, pretty much, from the U.S. networks that shows like that “can’t succeed” and they keep doing the same kind of programming they’ve been doing and that is gradually losing audiences. Ditto for the daytime soaps specifically. I think DA is prime proof that there’s still an audience out there for what I would call “traditional… Read more »

Guest

Shay

So true, @Michael not Fairman)!!! Downton manages to portray romance, relationships and all other aspects of life for both young and old with the greatest levels of gentility and good taste, and we cannot get enough it! Even the love scenes are always dealt with in a classy manner. And yet….look at the raunchy, trashy antics to which we are treated on American daytime drama to the obvious delight of a small, but most vocal minority here at this very website. No doubt they would be thrilled beyond belief were Edith to become a 3X3 unwed mother with plenty of… Read more »

Guest

Shay

Right you are, jimh, but I’ve been thinking: Downtown has had an Ivy, a Daisy and Rose, two Marigolds, and of course, the inimitable Violet! Isn’t it time for a “Hyacinth?” (As in “The Lady of House,” Bu-cket?) I adore Patricia Routledge and would love to see her pay a visit to the Abbey before it closes its doors for the final time. Seems rather appropriate, wouldn’t you say, since this show is the ultimate example of “Keeping Up Appearances?”

Guest

louisa

I always thought her comments were blown out of proportion. I hope Dame Maggie and Downton are with us for many, many years to come! It is one the best TV shows ever.

Guest

Don H

Louisa. I agree with you. I wish they had 30 episodes a season instead of 8 or 9. That’s one show I can’t get enough of.

Guest

Patricio

Ms.Smith is the heart and soul od the show not to mention the comic relief. The show would survive without her, however,it would be a diminished show.

Guest

Shay

You are most welcome, Patricio!!!! I heartily agree with your sentiments regarding Dame Maggie….I absolutely love her! As an avid Downton fan, I eagerly read every piece of information available as to the developments of the show, so I am more than happy to share it with like-minded posters. By the way, filming of Series 6 has just commenced in the UK, and is being covered in the British press on an almost daily basis.

Guest

Shirley Strickler

Most of all I’ll miss Tom can’t believe they are shipping him to America, loved him and Mary together:(

Guest

Don H

Shirley, you have to remember that this show was scripted early last year and filmed during the summer when it was thought that season 5 would be the last season. THEN it was picked up for season 6. So, last Sunday’s finale was supposed to be the end of the show, so some story lines were wrapped up. It quite possible that Tom Branson could come back. Frankly, I hope he does.

Guest

lizzy

Dame Maggie Smith is and always has been wonderful in whatever she is in and she would not suffer one bit without Downton but the viewers would and so would Downton.

Guest

Shay

Here, here, Lizzy! However, as you probably already know by now, the real question is not if Dame Maggie and her irrepressible Violet will be around for Season 7, but if there will indeed be a Season 7 at all! I have been reading with great interest in the British press on this very subject, and apparently, the call is not down to Julian Fellowes because he doesn’t own the show…NBC does. Hence, it is in their hands to choose how long Downton remains, although Mr. Fellowes seems to at least have creative control over his product since he is… Read more »

Guest

Patricio

Hello shay thank you for you’re “insider tip” which makes perfect selse to me.

Guest

janet

I can say I really enjoy the show, want Violet to return. I also got the idea she was saying, how long do you think Violet can go on, Not Maggie.

Downton Abbey

‘Downton Abbey 2’: Big-Screen Sequel Announced & Coming For Christmas

April 19, 2021

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.

Breaking News

DOWNTON ABBEY THE MOVIE: Official Trailer Released

May 21, 2019

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.

Breaking News

‘Downton Abbey’ The Movie Releases Its First Trailer

December 14, 2018

Now here’s a huge teaser that will get you wanting to see more! Those of us who loved the British period soap opera, Downton Abbey, which came to a conclusion after its sixth season on PBS here in the United States, will finally get their wish when the film version hits in 2019.

As previously reported, the series executive producer Gareth Naeme said about the film, “We aim to deliver everything that one would hope for as Downton comes to the big screen.”

Look for the film to land in movie theatres on Friday, September 20th, 2019, with it debuting internationally the week prior on Friday, September 13th.

Most of the cast is intact including: Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Kevin Doyle, Joanne Froggatt, Matthew Goode, Harry Hadden-Paton, David Haig, Geraldine James, Robert James-Collier, Simon Jones, Allen Leech, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Sophie McShera, Tuppence Middleton, Stephen Campbell Moore, Lesley Nicol, Kate Phillips, Maggie Smith, Imelda Staunton and Penelope Wilton.

Julian Fellowes once again writes the script for the film for the characters he created for the TV series.

Now check out the first trailer below, when just hearing that memorable opening theme song, it brought us back to the drama and the romance of Downton Abbey.

Let us know if you are thrilled to know that the movie is set for release …. and if you are looking forward to seeing what happens to the Crawleys and others in the next chapter of their story when the movie comes your way via the comment section below.