Downton Abbey star reveals impact of Dame Maggie Smith's absence in final film - and talks potential prequel
Elizabeth McGovern spoke ahead of the release of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.
With the release of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale now just a couple of months away, Cora Crawley star Elizabeth McGovern has revealed how the late Dame Maggie Smith has impacted the film.
Smith of course played the Dowager Countess Violet Crawley in all seasons of the original period drama show and both of its first two sequel films.
This third film will be the first time she is not involved, after both the death of her character in the second film, and after Smith herself passed away in 2024.
Now, speaking with Deadline, McGovern said that shooting the third film without Smith didn’t feel "like the bottom’s dropped out of it, which is what I was worried you’d feel without her, because she’s really there".
McGovern added that production on The Grand Finale was slightly different than previous iterations, as it wasn’t stopping for a setup set piece involving the Dowager.
She said the set pieces were elements which "delighted audiences and I love, but I think it gives it sort of wings in a way… It allows it to sort of fly on its own".
She then said of Smith: "But she’s there. She’s permeates everything, definitely."
McGovern added that this film is "definitely" the end for Downton, after a number of times where fans might have thought they wouldn't see these characters again.
However, she then added that was "unless they do something like they go back in time and it’s a different cast – you know, the young Maggie".
She said: "There’s been quite a lot of that sort of talk. Can’t wait to sit back and kick my heels up and see it."
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Other than Smith, this film sees the majority of the central cast return, including Michelle Dockery, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern and Laura Carmichael.
One other absence is Matthew Goode, who played Lady Mary's husband Henry Talbot in the final two seasons of the show and the first film. A recent trailer revealed that this is explained by Mary and Henry having got a divorce.
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale will be released in UK cinemas on 12th September 2025. All seasons of Downton Abbey are available to stream on ITVX.
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Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
