The solid of Downton Abbey is paying tribute to Dame Maggie Smith within the wake of her demise at age 89.
Smith’s sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin stated in a press release through publicist Clair Dobbs that the actress “handed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday twenty seventh September.”
“An intensely non-public particular person, she was with family and friends on the finish. She leaves two sons and 5 loving grandchildren who’re devastated by the lack of their extraordinary mom and grandmother,” the assertion added.
Tributes have begun pouring in for the actress, who performed Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham for all six seasons of the PBS collection.
Michelle Dockery, who performed Girl Mary Crawley, stated in a press release to PEOPLE, “There was nobody fairly like Maggie. I really feel tremendously fortunate to have identified such a maverick. She can be deeply missed and my ideas are together with her household.”
Hugh Bonneville, who performed the actress’ son on the present, Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, instructed PEOPLE in a press release, “Anybody who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable expertise.”
“She was a real legend of her era and fortunately will dwell on in so many magnificent display screen performances. My condolences to her boys and wider household,” Bonneville, 60, concluded his assertion.
Smith starred within the PBS collection from 2010 till its conclusion in 2015, in addition to the 2 spinoff movies in regards to the characters, 2019’s Downton Abbey and 2022’s Downton Abbey: A New Era.
She was nominated on the Emmys 5 occasions for finest supporting actress, and gained in 2011, 2012 and 2016.
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A third film was confirmed in May 2024, although Smith was by no means confirmed to take part. Will probably be the ultimate movie within the franchise, as Imelda Staunton confirmed in an interview with BBC Radio 2 in March. Paul Giamatti, who was in a single episode of the PBS collection, is confirmed to reprise his position as Cara Grantham’s brother Harold Levinson.
Giamatti, 57, additionally paid tribute to Smith within the wake of her passing, saying in a press release shared with PEOPLE that “she was a genius and a delight.”
“A privilege to be round her. The sort of actor who makes you proud to be an actor,” he added. “And I’ll always remember how candy she was to my 12-year-old son when he visited set.”