Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville calls the third and ‘final’ film a ‘lasting tribute’ to Maggie Smith

He continued: “It’s very much set in the house and saying goodbye to all these characters and we obviously say goodbye to Dame Maggie, which was very poignant on screen and now in real life. She will be sorely missed. But the final film will of course be a great lasting tribute to her.”

Of course, in Downton Abbey, Smith played Robert Crawley’s (Bonneville) mother Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham in the critically acclaimed series and both films.

Smith sadly passed away last September at the age of 89 and following news of her passing, Bonneville said in a statement: ‘Anyone who has ever shared a scene with Maggie will testify to her keen eye, sharp wit and formidable talent.

“She was a true legend of her generation and will happily live on in so many wonderful film performances. My condolences to her boys and the wider family.”

As for how exactly the new Downton Abbey film will pay tribute to the acting icon, we’ll just have to wait and see.

In addition to Downton, Smith was of course known for her leading roles in the Harry Potter film series, Sister Act, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Gosford Park.

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On her death, her sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.

“She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27 September. She was an intensely private person and was ultimately with friends and family.

“She is survived by two sons and five loving grandchildren, devastated by the loss of their special mother and grandmother.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and continued kindness during her final days.

“We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”

Aside from a welcome tribute to Smith, we know that the new Downton Abbey film is written and directed by Julian Fellowes and Simon Curtis respectively, with many of the beloved cast returning for the third film.

That means that in addition to Bonneville, the returning cast also includes Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Robert James-Collier, Joanne Froggatt, Allen Leech, Penelope Wilton and Dominic West.

Previously, Bonneville revealed a little more about the film, telling Yahoo UK that it feels like a “beautiful coming together of people”, teasing the “thrills and sensations”.

“For my character, I think the usual (can be expected), which is that he’s kind of a dinosaur who is reluctantly led into the future, and in the end he kind of stumbles forward,” he said.

The new movie is scheduled for release in September 2025, so we have to wait patiently!

All seasons of Downton Abbey are available to stream on ITVX.

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