When Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale arrives in theatres on September 12, 2025, it won’t simply be the closing chapter for the beloved Crawley family—it will also serve as an emotional tribute to Dame Maggie Smith, whose legendary portrayal of the Dowager Countess Violet Crawley defined the series and touched millions.
Cast members say Maggie’s presence was “still very much in the atmosphere.” Actress Elizabeth McGovern (Lady Cora) notes that, although Smith’s character passed off-screen, “I felt her spirit was there, and we were always referencing her.
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