In a revealing glimpse behind the grandeur of Highclere Castle, it has been disclosed that Dame Maggie Smith's iconic departure from Downton Abbey was a decision she herself had settled on long before the cameras stopped rolling.
Penelope Wilton, who played the formidable Isobel Crawley opposite Smith's Dowager Countess, has shared that her esteemed co-star was resolute in her belief that the show had reached its natural conclusion for her character. The two actresses, whose on-screen sparring was a highlight of the series, developed a deep mutual respect away from the set.
'She Felt The Show Had Run Its Course'
Wilton candidly explained that Smith, now 89, is not one for endless goodbyes or sentimental fuss. "She knew it was time to go, and that was that," Wilton stated, highlighting the veteran actress's famously no-nonsense approach to her craft and career.
This professional pragmatism meant that while fans were devastated to see the last of the razor-sharp Violet Crawley, Smith herself was content with the narrative arc and ready to move on.
A Legacy of Wit and Wisdom
Dame Maggie Smith’s portrayal of the Dowager Countess became the undisputed heart and soul of the global phenomenon, with her delivery of acerbic one-liners and subtle emotional depth earning her critical acclaim and a devoted international fanbase.
Her decision to leave after the sixth series cemented her character's legacy, ensuring Lady Violet exited with the same grace and power with which she arrived.
