Judi Dench has opened up about a secret tribute she made to her late actress Maggie Smith. The acting world was plunged into mourning in September when it was revealed that Harry Potter star Smith had passed away at the age of 89.

Violet Crawley's death will weigh more heavily in the third Downton Abbey movie following the passing of Maggie Smith this year.

Late star Maggie Smith will be honoured with a special tribute in the third Downton Abbey movie. As per Variety, executive producer Gareth Neame confirm

The next installment of the movie DOWNTOWN ABBEY will pay tribute to a special actress, Maggie Smith, who died in September at the age of 89.

Since the start of 2024, we have lost an array of music, film and television stars and their deaths have left fans heartbroken

Downton Abbey: A New Era’s bittersweet ending saw Dowager Countess Violet Crawley passing away surrounded by her family, so the table was already set for the rest of the cast to mourn her presence. Sadly, what started as a story commemorating the death of a pop culture icon has now become a vehicle for actual grief to be expressed.

Downton Abbey 3,’ a heartfelt tribute to Dame Maggie Smith. Posted: December 28, 2024 \. The third ‘Downton Abbey’ film honors the late Da

The film's executive producer said Smith's death gave an "added poignancy to a story that we would have planned anyway"