‘Downton Abbey 3’ Will Honor Maggie Smith With “Meaningful” Tribute, EP Gareth Neame Says
deadline.comDownton Abbey 3 will pay homage to the “end of an era” with the loss of the Dowager Countess, which has now taken on greater significance following the death of Oscar-winning actress Maggie Smith, executive producer Gareth Neame said.
Speaking to TVLine in a recent interview, Neame said the film — due in theaters Sept. 12, 2025 — will feature the cast and crew’s “huge respect for her … come across in the next movie.” He added, “We will never see the like of Dame Maggie Smith ever again.” “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,” the Emmy winner and former BBC exec said. “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.” Focus Features and Universal Pictures International’s threequel, from filmmaker Simon Curtis, wrapped shooting over the summer this year.
Written by Downton creator and Oscar winner Julian Fellowes, producers include himself, Neame and Emmy Award-winning Liz Trubridge.
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