Dame Maggie Smith, the legendary British actress who died in 2024 at age 89, has left behind two sons who have both forged notable acting careers. Christopher Larkin, 56, and Toby Stephens, 55, are her children from her first marriage to actor Robert Stephens.
Christopher Larkin: From Soaps to Outlander
Christopher Larkin is best known for his roles in British television, including appearances in Doctor Who, Holby City, and Casualty. He had a recurring role in the BBC soap Doctors from 2011 to 2021 and played Richard Brown in the fantasy series Outlander from 2020 to 2023.
In 2013, Christopher revealed why he chose to use the stage name Larkin instead of Stephens. He told The Times: “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. The job is fairly brutal like that.”
Toby Stephens: Bond Villain and Black Sails Star
Toby Stephens is perhaps best known for playing Bond villain Gustav Graves in the 2002 film Die Another Day, a role that earned him a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He later starred as Captain Flint in the Starz series Black Sails from 2014 to 2017 and had a lead role in Netflix's Lost in Space from 2018 to 2021.
In 2025, he played Melford Stevenson in the ITV historical drama A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story. Speaking to The Guardian in 2007, Toby said his parents did not push him into acting: “They 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.' It was more, 'If this really is what you want to do, why? How many plays have you actually seen?'”
Maggie Smith's Legacy
Maggie Smith, who died in a London hospital in 2024, leaves behind five grandchildren. Her career spanned over six decades, with iconic roles as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films, Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey, and appearances in Hook, Sister Act, The Secret Garden, and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
