Dame Maggie Smith, the legendary actress known for her roles in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, has two sons who have both pursued careers in acting. Christopher Larkin and Toby Stephens have established themselves in the industry, much like their mother.
Christopher Larkin's Career
Christopher Larkin, born from Smith's first marriage to actor Robert Stephens, has appeared in Doctor Who, Holby City, and Casualty. He also made recurring appearances on BBC's Doctors from 2011 to 2021 and played Richard Brown in Outlander from 2020 to 2023. In 2013, he explained to The Times why he dropped his father's surname: "There are lots of people whose parents are in the business who might be able to say, 'Yes, I got my big break because of who my parents are.' Great. The challenge is to sustain it. And if you're not good, you'll be found out."
Toby Stephens' Success
Toby Stephens, Smith's younger son, played Bond villain Gustav Graves in Die Another Day (2002), earning a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He starred as Captain Flint in Black Sails (2014-2017) and led Netflix's Lost in Space (2018-2021). In 2025, he portrayed Melford Stevenson in ITV's A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story. In a 2007 Guardian interview, he said his parents "tried quite hard to make sure it was what I wanted to do. It wasn't, 'Oh great, he's going into the biz as well.'"
Family Legacy
Smith, who died in 2024 at age 89, is survived by her two sons and five grandchildren. Her career spanned over six decades, with iconic roles in Harry Potter, Downton Abbey, Hook, Sister Act, and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
