Downton Abbey 3 Will Be 'Biggest Payout Ever' for Maggie Smith

Downton Abbey 3 will honor the memory of the late Dame Maggie Smithaccording to the son on the screen Hugh Bonneville.

“We finished third – and I think maybe last – Downton Abbey movie this summer, coming out next September and that's a great way to wrap up all the news, so it's a movie that's right for the fans,” said Bonneville, 60, on Thursday, October 31, at. The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radion UK

Bonneville, who plays Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, in the franchise, starred alongside Smith in six seasons of the PBS awards. Downton and two spinoff films. Smith played the sharp-tongued Crawley family matriarch Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess, until the character's death in the second film, Downton Abbey: The New Seasonreleased in 2022. Smith died at the age of 89 in September.

“It's great in the house and we're saying goodbye to all these characters and obviously we're saying goodbye to Dame Maggie, who has been so painful on screen and now in real life,” Bonneville told the host. Chris Evans. “He will be greatly missed. But the final film will obviously be a lasting tribute to him. “

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Smith's Sons Chris Larkin again Toby Stephens confirmed the news of his death on September 27.

“He passed away peacefully in hospital this morning, Friday 27 September. He was a very independent person, he had friends and family at the end. He left behind two sons and five grandsons who are in love with each other and are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother,” they said in a statement sent by the BBC. “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their unwavering care and kindness during his final days.”

They added, “Thank you for all your kind messages and support and we ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”

Smith won a best actor Oscar in 1969 Miss Jean Brodie's Premier. He also won best supporting actor in 1978 California Suite.

To modern viewers, Smith is best remembered as Professor Minerva McGonagall in Harry Potter franchise and Reverend Mother to Sister Act movies.

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Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and other Harry Potter characters mourned Dame Maggie Smith, who died at the age of 89 on Friday, September 27. Although audiences remember Radcliffe, now 35, as The Boy Who Lived and Smith as Professor Minerva McGonagall. in a series of eight films, the actor reminded fans that he is who he really is […]

Downton Abbey 3 will include core stars of the franchise including Bonneville, Michelle Dockery (Mary Mary), Elizabeth McGovern (Lady Cora), Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith), Jim Carter (Mr. Carson), Phyllis Logan (Mrs. Hughes), Joanne Froggatt (Anna Bates) and Brendan Coyle (Mr Bates). Oscar nominee Paul Giamatti will reprise his role as Cora's brother, Harold Levinson. He first played a role in Downton Abbey season 4.

Bonneville has previously revealed that the second film will be the final chapter in the franchise.

“A third movie? I don't know. “I thought maybe there was some potential there, but I suspect things have moved on and that's a good way to end it,” said Bonneville. Business Insider in 2022.

“I think the second film was very exciting and a good note to end the story,” he said in a separate interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “And it feels like it could end. There are still doors open to it, but I think it might be the right time to stop.”