Elizabeth McGovern Reflects on Maggie Smith's Lasting Impact in 'Downton Abbey' Finale

As the highly anticipated 'Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale' approaches its release, Elizabeth McGovern, who portrays Cora Crawley in the beloved period drama, has opened up about the impact of Maggie Smith's departure from the series.

Smith, who played the iconic Dowager Countess Violet Crawley, passed away in September 2024, shortly after filming the previous 'Downton Abbey' installment, 'A New Era'. However, McGovern reveals that Smith's presence "permeates" the upcoming finale, despite her character's death.

"She's still very much in the atmosphere," McGovern said in an interview. "In fact, in some ways, it sort of freed up the rest of the narrative to have a flow, because it's not stopping for her moments."

The actress believes that everything Smith's character represented is still present in the final chapter, stating, "She's in every room, in every interaction, so it's not like she's not there."

Fans of the series can look forward to the return of nearly all the original cast members, including Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Robert James-Collier, and Paul Giamatti, who played Cora's brother, Harold Levinson.

As the 'Downton Abbey' saga comes to an emotional conclusion, McGovern's reflections on Maggie Smith's lasting impact on the show and its characters promise a poignant and fitting farewell for the beloved series.