Hugh Bonneville has declared the final Downton Abbey film to be a ‘de facto tribute’ to Dame Maggie Smith, after the actress passed away in September, aged 89.
The legendary star played the family matriarch Lady Violet Crawley in all six series of the period drama and two films, with her character dying in the 2022’s A New Era.
But despite her being absent from the upcoming last film in the franchise, Hugh, 61, who plays Violet’s son Robert Crawley, has said that Maggie’s presence is keenly felt.
Appearing on BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast Show with Scott Mills, he appeared alongside his castmates Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter and Joanne Froggart to discuss Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.
The third big screen instalment will finally bring the long-running saga to a bittersweet close, with Hugh calling it the ‘fondest farewell’.
He said: ‘We sort of moved on three times, because we moved on at the end of the TV show and we never thought the producers would wrangle us cats all back together.
Hugh Bonneville has declared the final Downton Abbey film to be a ‘de facto tribute’ to Dame Maggie Smith, after the actress passed away in September, aged 89
The legendary star played the family matriarch Lady Violet Crawley (pictured) in all six series of the period drama and two films, with her character dying in the 2022’s A New Era
But despite her being absent from the upcoming last film in the franchise, Hugh, 61, who plays Violet’s son Robert Crawley, has said that Maggie’s presence is keenly felt
‘But they did, not once, not twice, but three times. And each film has felt like it’s likely to be the last, but this one really does.So we’re used to saying goodbye and this one is the fondest farewell of them all.’
When asked about the impact of beloved co-star Maggie’s death, Hugh went on: ‘Her character passed away in the second film, but she’s referred to frequently in the third.
‘And then a few months after we finished filming, she passed away in real life. So it is de facto a tribute to her.’
He added: ‘And her presence looms like her portrait in the hall over the film, with great affection. We’ve got such fond and quirky memories of her over the years.’
Downton Abbey fans were left in tears in June after spotting a glimpse of sweet nod to Maggie in the film’s trailer, with a shot showing a painted portrait of Lady Violet hanging in the opulent hallway.
The new film will hit cinemas on September 12 and fans can expect all the elegant drama and emotional goodbyes the franchise has become famous for.
Set in the early 1930s, the Crawley family and their ever-loyal staff face shifting social norms, mounting financial pressures, and the unwelcome glare of scandal.
At the heart of the turmoil is Lady Mary’s sudden divorce, bringing both public disgrace and personal upheaval to the grand halls of Downton.
Appearing on BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast Show with Scott Mills, he appeared alongside his castmates Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter and Joanne Froggart to discuss Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
Downton Abbey fans were left in tears in June after spotting a glimpse of sweet nod to Maggie in the film’s trailer, with a shot showing a painted portrait of Lady Violet hanging in the opulent hallway (seen)
It will also see the return of stars Elizabeth McGovern, Phyllis Logan, Robert James-Collier, Allen Leech, Penelope Wilton, Lesley Nicol, Michael Fox, Raquel Cassidy, as well as new additions, Paul Giamatti, Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola and Simon Russell Beale.
And Hugh also teased that one moment in the film left him ‘completely floored’ when he saw it for the first time.
He said: ‘I went to a screening with Michelle and there’s a bit, without spoiling it, towards the end that wasn’t in the script and it completely floored me.
‘I reached across and grabbed Michelle’s hand. So it was very cathartic and moving for all of us.’
Meanwhile Laura, who plays Lady Edith Crawley, gushed over how the cast had ‘really become like a family’ as she admitted ‘so much joy has come out of the show’ for her in particular, after meeting her husband on set.
She and Michael C. Fox – who plays Andrew Parker – recently revealed they had married in secret after meeting while filming the fifth series of the ITV show and welcomed their first child in 2021.
Scott quipped to her: ‘This show has given you so much, you met your husband on set and you had a son together. Thanks Downton!’
Laura agreed, saying: ‘I know, it’s mad. It has been so much of our lives and so much joy has come out of this show for us, it’s amazing.’
The third big screen instalment will finally bring the long-running saga to a bittersweet close, with Hugh calling it the ‘fondest farewell’
Fans can expect all the elegant drama and emotional goodbyes the franchise has become famous for (L-R: Samantha Bond, Douglas Reith, Harry Hadden-Paton, Laura, Hugh, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle, Penelope Wilton, Robert James Collier and Michael Fox)
It comes only a day after Michael, 36, first confirmed they had tied the knot while appearing on NBC special Downton Abbey Celebrates The Grand Finale.
The actor admitted: ‘I owe a lot to this show. I think so much of my life has been shaped around this show.’
Co-star Lesley Nicol then asked the couple: ‘What if someone said you’re actually going to find your wife and have a child? Life-changing stuff.’
Michael gushed: ‘I know. It’s incredible.’
However, Michael and Laura – who started dating in 2014 – haven’t said anything further about their marriage.
The couple are typically very private and it only emerged in May 2022 that they had become parents to son Luca 14 months previously.
A source told The Sun on Sunday at the time: ‘Laura and Michael absolutely love being parents and were grateful to have some time away from the limelight to enjoy the moment.
‘Laura’s taken motherhood in her stride and it’s added another string to her bow.’
Meanwhile Laura, who plays Lady Edith Crawley, gushed over how the cast had ‘really become like a family’ as she admitted ‘so much joy has come out of the show’ for her in particular, after meeting her husband on set (pictured together last week)
She and Michael C. Fox – who plays Andrew Parker – recently revealed they had married in secret after meeting while filming the fifth series of the ITV show and welcomed their first child in 2021 (seen in 2022)
Although the couple keep their romance under wraps, Laura gushed over how lucky she felt to have met Michael on the set of Downton Abbey.
In 2019, she told Town and Country: ‘I’ve fallen in love and made wonderful friends – how lucky am I?’
She said: ‘I think we’re lucky, and support and understand each other. It’s tough, so to have someone who’s got your back…
‘It can be really beautiful when you’re working together and chatting about stuff that’s hard and they get it.’
Laura tries to ‘have a normal life and play extraordinary lives’ and she’s been able to live by that philosophy thanks to the example set by other members of the Downton cast.
She said: ‘I feel like I’ve learnt that from a lot of Downton actors. Everyone prioritises their family and their friends and their home life. That’s why, when they get to go and do incredible things, they’re in a good place to work hard and be disciplined and be grateful.’
Michael has also addressed their relationship in the past, saying they liked to keep their romance separate from their jobs on Downton.
He told the Sunday PostL ‘We’d go to work and we didn’t want it to be a thing in any way when we were working together. It was great, though, to go to work with your best pal.’
