‘Downton Abbey 3’ to Honor Dame Maggie Smith, Says Producer

“Downton Abbey” has always been about family; both the one on-screen and the one created behind the scenes. But with “Downton Abbey 3,” the story is about to hit even closer to home. The upcoming film will honor the late Dame Maggie Smith, whose portrayal of the sharp-tongued, endlessly quotable Dowager Countess, Violet Crawley, made her a fan favorite from day one. According to producer Gareth Neame, the loss of Smith has made the next film’s storyline (which was already going to include a tribute to Violet) even more emotional, as both the characters and the cast will be mourning a true matriarch.

A Farewell That Feels Even More Real

The last film (“Downton Abbey: A New Era”) already set up Violet’s passing, but no one could have predicted how much heavier the next moments would feel now that Smith has passed. “The fact that Dame Maggie herself has now passed away since that time, I do think, has given a real added poignancy to a story that we would have planned anyway,” Neame explained to TV Line. “The loss of the Dowager, it now feels far more significant that you see actors playing characters mourning the family matriarch. But I also see actors mourning the matriarch of the show, and it feels more genuine and more meaningful.”

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That’s the thing about “Downton Abbey;” it’s never just been about the plot. It’s about the people. And for over a decade, Smith’s sharp one-liners and scene-stealing moments made Violet the heart of the show. Now, her farewell isn’t just a storyline… it’s a real goodbye.

What We Know About Downton Abbey 3

So far, details about the plot are being kept under wraps, but we do know that much of the original cast (including Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Laura Carmichael, and Allen Leech) will be returning.

“Downton Abbey 3” is also expected to bring back Dominic West as Guy Dexter, a Hollywood actor introduced in the second film. Given how the last movie hinted at his growing connection with Thomas Barrow, fans are eager to see how that storyline unfolds.

The Last Chapter for the Crawleys

As if saying goodbye to Violet wasn’t enough, “Downton Abbey 3” is also set to be the franchise’s final film. Michelle Dockery, who’s played Lady Mary since the beginning, spoke about how special the experience was, telling Collider, “We really relished every minute. It being the last, it felt really, really special. Like anything, when something comes to an end, it’s emotional but just such a happy place to be. It’s always been a very happy place to be and a wonderful thing to be part of for the last 15 years.”

So, this is it. One last chance to revisit the grandeur of Downton, to see how the Crawleys move forward, and to say a final goodbye to a true legend. Whether there’s a touching tribute, a flashback, or just one last perfectly-timed zinger, one thing’s for sure, Dame Maggie Smith’s presence will be felt in every frame.“Downton Abbey 3” is set to premiere September 12, 2025, per Variety.