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.