Dame Maggie Smith, who plays the Dowager Countess of Grantham in the hit ITV period drama Downton Abbey, has revealed that she has never seen an episode of the show. The 78-year-old actress confessed to the US programme 60 Minutes that she has not watched any of the series, despite starring in all three seasons to date.
Smith explained that she finds it too frustrating to watch herself on screen, as she would notice things she could have done differently. 'I always see things that I would like to do differently, and think why in the name of God did I do that?' she said. She added that she might consider watching the series after she has left the show.
When asked if she was proud of the programme, Smith replied: 'I've never actually seen it. I don't sit down and watch it. No, I've never watched it.' Presenter Steve Kroft suggested she must be the only person in England not to have seen Downton Abbey, to which she joked: 'Well, that's a record then isn't it, of some sort?'
Downton Abbey has drawn huge Sunday night audiences, but Smith appears content to remain one of the few who have not followed its storylines. 'I will look at it when it's all over, maybe, because it's frustrating,' she added.
