Maggie Smith'sDownton AbbeyCostars Pay Tribute to 'Formidable' Actress Following Her Death: 'A True Legend'

Mar. 15, 2025

The cast ofDownton Abbeyis paying tribute toDame Maggie Smithin the wake of her death at age 89.

Tributes have begun pouring in for the actress, who played Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham for all six seasons of the PBS series.

Michelle Dockery, who played Lady Mary Crawley, said in a statement to PEOPLE, “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.”

Elizabeth McGovern, Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery in ‘Downton Abbey’.Nick Briggs / Carnival Films for Masterpiece/PBS / Courtesy Everett Collection

Nick Briggs / Carnival Films for Masterpiece/PBS / Courtesy Everett Collection

Hugh Bonneville, who played the actress' son on the show, Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, told PEOPLE in a statement, “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,” Bonneville, 60, concluded his statement.

Paul Giamattialso paid tribute to Smith in the wake of her passing, saying in a statement shared with PEOPLE that “she was a genius and a delight.”

“A privilege to be around her. The kind of actor who makes you proud to be an actor,” he added. “And I’ll never forget how sweet she was to my 12-year-old son when he visited set.”

Allen Leech, who played Tom Branson, said in a statement to PEOPLE, “Maggie was a master of the craft and a delight to be around. As a world audience we have lost one of the greatest, my condolences to her sons and grandchildren, her family and dearest and closest friends. It was an honor to know and work with a true legend of the screen.”

Maggie Smith in ‘Downton Abbey’.Carnival Films for Masterpiece/PBS / Courtesy: Everett Collection

Carnival Films for Masterpiece/PBS / Courtesy: Everett Collection

Joanne Froggattshared a lengthytributeon Instagram to her former costar, calling her a “true legend.”

“It’s hard to find the words to pay tribute to the iconic Dame Maggie Smith. I shared a screen with her on very few occasions but was fortunate enough to be in her company on many,” the actress, who played Anna Smith, wrote.

“She truly was a trailblazer, with the sharpest wit, the greatest talent, the naughtiest sense of humour, she was a force to be reckoned with. She had a charisma that you felt would live for ever (in many ways it will) and underneath all of that a huge heart.”

Her post concluded, “Thank you Maggie, for always being supportive and kind to me, for putting many a smile on my face with that sharp wit that no one could match, and for showing the rest of us just how it’s done.”

Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith, Imelda Staunton as Maud Bagshaw and Dame Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley in ‘Downton Abbey’.Liam Daniel/Focus Features/Kobal/Shutterstock

Liam Daniel/Focus Features/Kobal/Shutterstock

The show’s creatorJulian Fellowestold PEOPLE in a statement he “will never forget” Smith.

“Maggie Smith was a truly great actress and we were more than fortunate to be part of the last act in her stellar career,” Fellowes said. “She was a joy to write for, subtle, many-layered, intelligent, funny and heartbreaking. Working with her has been the greatest privilege of my career.”

Lily James, who joinedDownton Abbeyin the fourth season in the role of Lady Rose Aldridge, shared a tribute to Smith on her Instagram Stories, writing: “A once in a lifetime legend. I will forever treasure the time I spent with Maggie Smith and the great legacy she leaves behind. R.I.P.”

Dan Stevens, who played Matthew Crawley, shared two photos of Smith on his Instagram Stories as he wrote, “Truly one of The Greats. RIP.”

Downton Abbey’sInstagram page shared apostin her honor, too, calling her “a true British icon.”

“Thank you for everything, Dame Maggie Smith,” the caption said.

“What an honour it was to work with Maggie Smith for so many years. She was so focussed when she came on set and her acting led the way for so many of the younger actors. She was a legend and will be hugely missed,” added Lady Carnarvon of Highclere Castle, the real-life castle which served as the backdrop for the period drama.

Maggie Smith in ‘Downton Abbey’.Nick Briggs / Carnival Films for Masterpiece/PBS / Courtesy Everett Collection

Smith starred in the PBS series from 2010 until its conclusion in 2015, as well as the two spinoff films about the characters, 2019’sDownton Abbeyand 2022’sDownton Abbey: A New Era.She was nominated at the Emmys five times for best supporting actress, and won in 2011, 2012 and 2016.

A third film was confirmed in May 2024, though Smith was never confirmed to participate. It will be the final film in the franchise, asImelda Staunton confirmedin an interview withBBC Radio 2in March. Giamatti is confirmed to reprise his role as Cara Grantham’s brother Harold Levinson in the third film.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

All six seasons ofDownton Abbeycan be streamed on Prime Video.

source: people.com