Actor from 'Downton Abbey' acknowledges passing of Maggie Smith in respectful gesture.
Remembering Maggie Smith: Judi Dench and Elizabeth McGovern Honour Their Late Co-Star
In the world of film and television, the passing of a beloved actress leaves a void that is hard to fill. This is particularly true for the third film in the Downton Abbey franchise, as it was announced that Maggie Smith, who played Violet Crawley, would not be returning due to her death in 2024.
Two of Smith's closest collaborators, Judi Dench and Elizabeth McGovern, have shared their heartfelt tributes to their late co-star. Dench, who first met Smith at the Old Vic theatre's dressing room in 1957, honoured Smith's memory by planting a crab apple tree in her name. Dench shared that she had carried a crab apple from the tree with her at Smith's funeral, symbolizing a personal and lasting tribute to their friendship that spanned several decades.
McGovern, who portrayed Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham, remembered Smith with deep affection and a sense of her enduring presence despite her passing. McGovern expressed that while filming Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale without Smith was initially feared to be very difficult, she felt that Smith's "spirit was in the air, in that house and in those rooms," and that she didn't miss her as much as expected because Smith’s presence still "permeates" the film and atmosphere. She also expressed that the final film serves as a proper tribute to Maggie Smith and the show.
McGovern was initially apprehensive about working on the third film without Smith, but she soon found that while the void left by Smith's absence was felt, it was also freeing narratively. The historical drama Downton Abbey, set in the early 1930s, provides a unique backdrop for the characters to navigate their lives without Smith's iconic presence.
Joe, a friend of Dench, brought the tree to her, and Dench planted it in a location that has not been specified. The tree started to produce fruit at the time of Smith's funeral, serving as a poignant reminder of the lasting bond between the two actresses.
Both Dench and McGovern's tributes to Smith reflect the warmth and reverence that Smith's colleagues and fans have for her. Smith's contributions to the film industry, both professionally and personally, will continue to be remembered for generations to come.
[1] "Elizabeth McGovern on Working Without Maggie Smith in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale" - Entertainment Weekly, 2024 [2] "Judi Dench Honours Maggie Smith with Crab Apple Tree" - The Guardian, 2024 [3] "The Enduring Legacy of Maggie Smith in Downton Abbey" - Vanity Fair, 2024
In the realm of movies-and-tv entertainment, the absence of Maggie Smith, the tantalizing actress who played Violet Crawley in the Downton Abbey franchise, is deeply felt and seemingly irreplacable. Judi Dench, Smith's longtime co-star and friend, honored her memory by planting a crab apple tree, symbolizing the everlasting bond they shared for decades.
