Emma Watson broke her silence on the death of her Harry Potter co-star Dame Maggie Smith at age 89 on Friday and shared a touching tribute on her Instagram Stories.
It was revealed that the Downtown Abbey actress passed away inside a hospital on Friday morning, sparking an outpouring of tributes as celebrities and fans mourned the heartbreaking loss.
Watson, 34, uploaded a behind-the-scenes photo of her and Smith while they apparently filmed a scene for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.
Emma had a small smile on her face as Maggie gently placed her hand on the side of the actress’s face in a sweet gesture.
‘When I was younger I had no idea about the legend of Maggie, the woman I was lucky enough to share a space with.
“Only when I became an adult did I realize I had shared the screen with a true definition of greatness.”
Emma Watson, 34, broke her silence on the death of her Harry Potter co-star Dame Maggie Smith at age 89 on Friday and shared a touching tribute on her Instagram Stories; seen in 2023 in Brooklyn
Watson continued: “She was real, honest, funny and honorable.” Maggie, there were a lot of male teachers and, by God, you stood up for yourself.
‘Thank you for all your kindness. I will miss you,’ Emma concluded to her fans and followers.
The couple starred together in the Harry Potter franchise from 2001 until the final film was released 10 years later in 2011.
Emma played the role of Hermione Granger while Maggie took on the character of Professor Minerva McGonagall.
During a previous interview on The Late Show With David Letterman, the star spoke about the advice Smith had given her at the start of her own acting career, according to She.
Watson revealed that she would get “nervous” seeing herself on screen, especially with the “early Harry Potter films.”
“I would get really nervous, squirm in my seat like a pretzel and bite my nails and everything.”
Watson, 34, uploaded a behind-the-scenes photo of her and Smith while they apparently filmed a scene for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.
“When I was younger I had no idea about the legend of Maggie, the woman I was lucky enough to share space with,” he wrote; seen in 2016 in London
“So, I’m pretty sure Maggie Smith told me this, it was 10 years ago, so sometimes I have a hard time remembering…”
But she basically said, “How do you expect to improve if you don’t watch your performances?” and I said, “Well, that’s a good point.”
Emma continued: “Yeah, he basically told me to get a grip and I’ve been watching my performances ever since.”
Following news of Smith’s passing on Friday, other Harry Potter stars paid tribute to the award-winning actress.
Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter throughout all eight films, mourned the loss of a “legend.”
Radcliffe first worked with Dame Maggie in 1999, when she was just nine years old, in the television miniseries David Copperfield.
She also starred alongside four more of her future Harry Potter co-stars, including Zoe Wanamaker, Imelda Staunton, Dawn French and Paul Whitehouse.
Paying tribute to her on social media platform
During a previous interview on The Late Show With David Letterman, the star spoke about the advice Smith had given her at the beginning of her own acting career, according to Elle.
He added: “I knew virtually nothing about her, other than that my parents were amazed by the fact that I would be working with her.”
‘The other thing I knew about her was that she was a Lady, so the first thing I asked her when we met was “would you like me to call you Lady?” At which she laughed and said something like “don’t be ridiculous!”
‘I remember feeling nervous when I met her and then she immediately put me at ease. She was incredibly kind to me on that shoot and I was lucky enough to continue working with her for another 10 years on the Harry Potter films.’
He spoke of her “fierce intellect” and “gloriously sharp tongue” and said that she “could intimidate and charm at the same instant and was, as everyone will say, extremely funny.”
Radcliffe added: “I will always consider myself incredibly lucky to have been able to work with her and spend time with her on set.”
‘The word legend is overused, but if it applies to someone in our industry, then it applies to them. Thanks Maggie.’
Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter throughout all eight films, mourned the loss of a “legend”
He spoke of her “fierce intellect” and “gloriously sharp tongue” and said that she “could intimidate and charm at the same time and was, as everyone will tell you, extremely funny”; seen in May in New York
It comes after Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter franchise, updated his Instagram profile photo with a sweet throwback to Maggie and himself to pay tribute to her.
Along with the Harry Potter franchise, Dame Maggie Smith took on several other roles in projects during her long career.
She also played the Dowager Countess of Grantham in the series Downtown Abbey and appeared in the 1985 film, A Room With A View, alongside Helena Bonham Carter, who also starred in Harry Potter.
Other celebrities mourned Smith’s loss on Friday, including Downtown Abbey star Hugh Bonneville and Sandra Bullock.
JK Rowling also shared a message on X that read: “Somehow I thought she would live forever.” RIP, Lady Maggie Smith.’
Maggie’s sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, announced their mother’s death in a statement Friday.
Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter franchise, updated his Instagram profile photo with a sweet memory of himself and Maggie to pay tribute to her.
JK Rowling also shared a message on X that read: “Somehow I thought she would live forever.” RIP Dame Maggie Smith’
Maggie’s sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, announced their mother’s passing in a statement on Friday; seen in 1969
‘Passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September. “He was a very reserved person and in the end he was with friends and family.”
They continued: “He leaves behind two children and five beloved grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.”
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their endless care and kindness during his final days.”
Chris and Toby concluded by saying: “We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”