Maggie Smith admitted to host Graham Norton that she had “never seen Downton Abbey” and was “delighted” when it ended in a clip that resurfaced following the beloved actress’ death aged 89.
After the Harry Potter favorite passed away in hospital on Friday, the hilarious 2015 video on Graham Norton’s iconic talk show made the rounds again online.
The late British acting legend starred in the period drama as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, from 2010 to 2015, which is still remembered as one of her most notable roles.
But despite being praised for her brilliant performance and witty one-liners, the Oscar winner admitted she was satisfied with the series’ ending.
‘So are you, in a way, kind of glad that Downton is over?’ the host asked, to which Maggie didn’t hesitate to respond: ‘Oh, yeah.’
Maggie Smith admitted to host Graham Norton that she had “never seen Downton Abbey” and was “delighted” when it finished, in a clip resurfaced after the actress’ death aged 89.
The late British acting legend starred in the period drama as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, from 2010 to 2015 (pictured in the show in 2013).
Which caused presenter Graham to burst out laughing and added: “No, I really am.” Honestly, she was about to, when we finished she must have been a hundred and ten years old, so I couldn’t go on and on.
‘I couldn’t! It just didn’t make sense.”
When asked if he had ever seen the British period drama, he hesitated and then gave the presenter a cheeky look.
Graham fought back his laughter as he insisted, “Isn’t that right?” but Maggie confirmed that he didn’t with a shake of her head.
‘I have the box. So I can see it,’ he added, leaving the audience in stitches.
The British star was known for her breakout roles as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter franchise, as well as her Academy Award-winning performance in The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie.
Paying tribute to his former co-star, Harry Potter star Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley in the franchise, updated his Instagram profile photo with a sweet memory of the couple.
Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville, who played her son on the show, also paid tribute.
When the presenter asked her if she was glad Downton Abbey was over, Maggie replied: “No, I really am.” Honestly, she was about to be a hundred and ten when we broke up, so I couldn’t go on and on,’ while also revealing that she had never seen him.
Dame Maggie Smith has been hailed as “wise, witty, biting and wonderful” as celebrities pay tribute to her after her death (pictured in 2015)
To pay tribute to his former co-star, Harry Potter’s Rupert Grint updated his Instagram profile photo with a sweet memory of the couple.
Dame Maggie played Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter franchise, while Rupert played Ron Weasley (pictured at a premiere in 2009).
He told the BBC: “Anyone who has ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her keen eyesight, sharp wit and formidable talent.
“She was a true legend of her generation and will thankfully live on in so many magnificent performances on screen. My deepest condolences to her children and family as a whole.
Dan Stevens, who played Matthew Crawley in the period drama, spoke out on his Instagram Story, writing “Truly one of the greats.” RIP’ along with two photographs of his former co-star.
Gyles Brandreth was also quick to pay tribute, calling the late actress “unique in every way.”
Brandreth shared a photo of himself with Smith on
“She was a truly great actress, ‘one of the greats’ and simply the best company: wise, witty, biting, wonderful.”
“Unique in every way and, therefore, irreplaceable.”
He also paid tribute to her on Times Radio, saying she was “an exceptionally stunning acting talent”. I was reflecting that one of the qualities we have as a country is our history with theater.
Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville also paid tribute, saying: “Anyone who has ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her keen eyesight, sharp wit and formidable talent.”
Dan Stevens paid tribute on his Instagram Story, writing “Truly one of the greats.” RIP’ along with two photos of his former co-star.
Dan played Matthew Crawley in the period drama (pictured with Hugh)
“Our actors are considered world class and if you look at the best of the world class, Maggie Smith is right up there with the best. She is one of the greats.
The remarkable thing about her, and the reason I say she’s one of the greats, is that she wasn’t just an exceptionally successful actress who could do it all. It had a unique quality.
‘And I believe that to join the pantheon of the greatest, you must have something in your voice, your look, your manner, that draws attention. She absolutely had that, from the beginning.
And she would not have considered herself either a comic actress or a classical actress. She could do it all. He lacked personal vanity in the sense that he was capable of playing roles such as The Lady in the Van, based on Alan Bennett’s play, made into a film, which was not a glamorous role. But she could also be incredibly glamorous… She was just a wonderful star. He had star quality and had the highest standards.
I think sometimes people found her a little intimidating. Young actors, or even older actors, were a little nervous about her. They thought, what is she going to say because she could be caustic, she was witty. But if she was ever perceived as difficult, it was only because she had the highest standards, both for herself and for others.’
American actress Whoopi Goldberg paid tribute to Dame Maggie Smith and said she felt “lucky” to have worked alongside her in Sister Act, where Dame Maggie played Reverend Mother Superior while Goldberg played Deloris Van Cartier.
Later throughout the day, countless celebrities flooded Maggie’s social media accounts paying heartfelt tribute to the star.
Dame Maggie won the Oscar for best actress for this role in 1970.
Other film roles include his portrayal of a drunken Oscar loser in California Suite, the dying elderly lover in Love, Pain And The Whole Damn Thing, the tragic lodger in The Lonely Passion Of Judith Hearne and the so-called “funny old bat”. in Gosford Park, which earned him his sixth Oscar nomination.
She starred alongside Dame Judi Dench in the 2004 film Ladies In Lavender and on stage in David Hare’s play The Breath Of Life.
One of her most famous roles was as the bag lady in The Lady In The Van, the 2015 adaptation of Alan Bennett’s memoirs.
She recently starred in 2022’s Downton Abbey: A New Era, where Violet’s health deteriorates and she dies in an emotional end to her character.
Gyles Brandreth shared a photo of himself with Smith on X, formerly Twitter, and wrote: “The saddest news: the death of Dame Maggie Smith marks the end of a golden era.”
Piers Morgan posted: ‘RIP Dame Maggie Smith. Magnificent actress, magnificent lady. As entertaining, sharp and witty off-screen as she was off-screen. “A very, very sad loss for Britain.”
Dame Maggie Smith arrives at the premiere of Gosford Park at the Ziegfield Theater in New York City on December 14, 2001
The following year, she appeared in The Miracle Club, which follows a group of Dublin women who go on a pilgrimage to the French city of Lourdes.
Dame Maggie’s second husband, the playwright Beverly Cross, whom she married in 1975, died in 1998.
He had two children from his first marriage, Stephens and Larkin, both actors.