Downton Abbeystar Matthew Goode has shared a great new story about the late Maggie Smith’s favorite day on set. Dame Maggie Smith, who sadly passed away in September 2024, was an integral part of theDownton Abbeyfranchise. The iconic British actress won three Emmy Awards for playing Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, during the show’s five-season run.Though Julian Fellowes' series was undoubtedly an ensemble show, Smith’s portrayal of Violet was the undeniable highlight for many.
Smith’s legacy remains as steadfast as ever. Recently, one of herDownton Abbeyco-stars, Matthew Goode, who played Henry Talbot, a racing driver and Lady Mary Crawley’s eventual husband, shared an amusing and lovely anecdote about Maggie Smith and a particularly memorable day on the set ofDownton Abbeyseason 6.Speaking toDeadline,Goode recounted what it was like to film Mary and Henry’s wedding day.
GOODE:I spoke to Michelle [Dockery] at length about what we could possibly… I think we were going to try and ask for a slight rewrite or something or other. And then eventually it was just that they were moving ahead. It was a big racecourse day, so the thing was booked, and I was never going to be able to do it, which was a shame because I love that cast. To be on a set with Hugh [Bonneville] and Allen [Leech]. I’ve got great stories from those sets. We actually gave Maggie Smith one of the greatest days of her life, she said. She came off [set], and she said, “I think that might’ve been my favorite day on a set ever.”
DEADLINE:What did you do?
GOODE:It was the wedding of our characters, and we shot it out very secretively somewhere out in the countryside. I think in Oxford somewhere. And our green room for 20 actors was the garden of an ex-Concorde pilot. This is going to sound jolly unprofessional, and it is a bit unprofessional, but it’s f*cking funny. He came out with a bottle of rosé and just put it on the table, a bottle of Minuty, which was a nice Aix-en-Province rosé. And obviously all the other actors, they looked at it and they’re like, “No. Well, obviously we can’t do that.” I’m just a bit naughty. I don’t know if it’s coming across or not. And it was really hot, and it was looking at me and the perspiration was rolling down the bottle and I said, “I’ll have a glass, thank you so much.” And I sat and I quaffed it bloody quickly. And I said, “Is it OK if I have another one?” And then you started to see all the other actors, particularly the ones that didn’t have any lines that day, just a big ensemble piece, none of us had that much to do, really. So we all started drinking. We went through 22 bottles of rosé. No one was drunk. But my god, were we merry. And if you’ve made Maggie Smith happy, then it can’t be wrong. He was a gentleman and it was a gorgeous house and gorgeous garden as well. And also we gave them good stories because then suddenly they’ve got a ton of half-cut, quite famous people in their garden having great fun. So, they’ve got anecdotes for the rest of their life. I wouldn’t do it again though for any future producers listening.
Downton Abbey Won’t Be The Same Without Violet Crawley
She Was An Integral Part Of Its Success
Smith was part ofDownton Abbeyfor all six seasons and the first two movies, a leading force to be reckoned with as she kept her at-times dramatic family in line with her zingy quips and stern, but fair, judgment. She was the comedic heart of the show.Though the second film gave her character an emotional and bittersweet sendoff, she’ll be sorely missed in the upcoming third and finalDownton Abbeymovie,Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. It will be interesting to see how her family handles the estate and their complicated lives without her.
Our Take On Dame Maggie Smith’s Legacy
She’s A British Acting Legend For A Reason
Maggie Smith was graceful, funny, and witty, and she fully committed herself to every role, even when she was ill, whether it was in an Emmy-winning period drama, a major fantasy franchise, or a small British indie film. As a legend on both the stage and screen, she had an incredible presence, a piercing gaze, and a stunning emotional range. We all know and love her fromDownton AbbeyandHarry Potter, but she was also fabulous in titles likeThe Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,Gosford Park,Sister Act, and so many more.
Matthew Goode’s anecdote provides a lovely way to remember this iconic actress. I’m sure Violet Crawley would have approved that day on set, too. Even though the Dowager Countess’Downton Abbeystory ended in the last film,Downton Abbey: A New Era, watching the upcoming movie without the late Dame Maggie Smith’s presence now will be an even more emotional experience.
