Late actress Maggie Smith was mourned by her Downtown Abbey family, as her co-stars remembered the massive impact she had on the show and the people she worked with. The cast in the series poured their tributes and shared their thoughts on what Smith meant to them after the legendary actress died on Friday (September 27).
Actor Hugh Bonneville shared a statement with The Hollywood Reporter, published on Friday:
"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."
In the British TV show, Bonneville played Robert Crawley, the 7th Earl of Grantham, and the son of the late 6th Earl of Grantham, Violet Crawley (Dame Maggie Smith).
Meanwhile, Downton Abbey's Instagram account dedicated a post to the late actress. The caption read:
"A true British icon. Thank you for everything, Dame Maggie Smith."
Another ITV show cast member, Michelle Dockery, shared a statement about Smith via Deadline. She said that "there was no one quite like Maggie," and that she felt "tremendously lucky" to have met the late actress, whom she described as a "maverick."
Maggie Smith's sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, shared the news of the iconic actress's passing on BBC on Friday. They mentioned that Smith "passed away peacefully in hospital."
Downtown Abbey showrunner recalls working with Maggie Smith as more costars pour heartfelt tributes
Downtown Abbey creator Julian Fellowes remembered Maggie Smith as a "truly great actress." He mentioned feeling "more than fortunate" to have worked with Smith at some point in her "stellar career." In a statement shared with Entertainment Weekly on September 27, he elaborated on what it was like to work with the late actress. He said:
"She was a joy to write for, subtle, many-layered, intelligent, funny, and heart-breaking. Working with her has been the greatest privilege of my career, and I will never forget her."
The two previously worked in the Robert Altman-directed movie Gosford Park. Fellowes wrote the screenplay of the 2001 comedy mystery film and won an Oscar for the same.
Maggie Smith worked on numerous movies like California Suite and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, both of which earned her Oscars for Best Actress. She was best known for playing Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter movies.
The stars of the famous fantasy franchise also paid tribute to the late Maggie Smith. Daniel Radcliffe, who portrayed Harry Potter and worked with Smith in the David Copperfield series, described her as an "incredibly kind" person in his tribute. In a statement shared with Variety, he said:
"I remember feeling nervous to meet her and then her putting me immediately at ease. She was incredibly kind to me on that shoot, and then I was lucky enough to go on working with her for another 10 years on the Harry Potter films."
He recalled meeting the actress and asking her if she would like him to call her "Dame," to which Smith reportedly told Radcliffe, "Don't be ridiculous!"
Meanwhile, Emma Watson, who played Hermoine Granger, shared an Instagram Story on Friday remembering Smith as "the true definition of greatness." Bonnie Wright, who played Ginny Weasley, also shared a picture of the late actress on her Instagram and wrote, in part, that the Harry Potter community will miss her.
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