Maggie Smith had emotional retirement conversation on ‘Downton Abbey’ set before death at 89

Maggie Smith planned to retire following her work as Violet Crawley in “Downton Abbey: A New Era.” The British actress, who died on Friday at age 89, had a conversation with her co-star Dominic West on set of the 2022 drama about her decision.

“I sat next to her around that famous table for two or three days and got to just chat to her and listen to her hilarious jokes and sly remarks,” West, 54, recalled at a press conference that same year, via The Independent.

“She said at one point that she’s going to throw in the towel now. She said: ‘That’s it. I’m not going to do any more.’ And I said: ‘What? Acting?’ and she said: ‘Yeah, no more acting.'”

Smith was ready to walk away from the stage, too.

“I said: ‘Theater as well?'” West continued. “And she said: ‘No, I’m not doing theater either, and this will be my last job.’ And that was incredibly emotional.”

The “Wire” alum felt like he was “witnessing history” amid their exchange, noting it was “very moving that this great, great actress wasn’t going to act any more.”

Smith, however, kept him on his toes.

“And then I went back the following week, and I said: ‘It’s so sad Maggie,'” he recalled. “And she said: ‘Nonsense!’ She’s booked another film. She starts next week.”

Indeed, Smith went on to play Lily Fox in 2023’s “The Miracle Club,” which would be her final role.

The two-time Oscar winner appeared in over 50 films, and won the golden statue for “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” (1969) and “California Suite” (1978).

She was perhaps best known for portraying Professor Minerva McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” film franchise and Violet Crawley in the “Downton Abbey” series.

Also known for her stage work, Smith won a Tony Award for “Lettice and Lovage” in 1990. She was also made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to the performing arts that same year.

Smith’s sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, confirmed her death to the BBC on Friday.

“She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September,” the statement read.

“An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother,” they continued.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days,” they added. “We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”

The star married playwright Beverley Cross in 1975 and they remained married until his death in March 1998. She is survived by her sons and five grandchildren.