Maggie Smith | Entertainment News, Photos, and Videos

Maggie Smith opens up about the end of Downton Abbey in this rare new interview.

The 80-year-old actress has won multiple awards for her role as Lady Violet, Dowager Countess, including two Emmys and a Golden Globe.

When asked if she’s ever seen the show, Maggie told CBS News, “No. But they gave me the boxed set. And I’m going to do all sorts of things now, ’cause I’m free!”

She also revealed that she would often skip wearing a corset while filming.

“In actual fact, I have to say that I did cheat a bit. Because I promised that if I sat up, bolt upright, I made it look as though I were wearing corsets,” Maggie said. “Don’t tell anybody…I don’t want it to be put around. I was tortured every day.”

The final season of Downton Abbey premieres on Sunday, January 3 @ 9/8c on PBS Masterpiece.

The first trailer for the final season of Downton Abbey was just released.

The new season is set to debut on January 3, 2016 at 9PM EST on PBS. The trailer gives us a sneak peek at all of our favorite characters including Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael), Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville), Mr. Carson (Jim Carter), and of course, Dowager Crawley (Maggie Smith), among others.

It was revealed earlier this year that this upcoming season would be the show’s last, and fans were devastated! Watch the trailer below for your first look at the end…

The cast of Downton Abbey gets together for a photo call held at the May Fair Hotel on Thursday (August 13) in London, England.

In attendance were Michelle Dockery, Jim Carter, Rob James-Collier, Sophie McShera, Lesley Nicol, Raquel Cassidy, Kevin Doyle, Hugh Bonneville, Phyllis Logan, Joanne Froggatt, Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern, and Samantha Bond.

That same day, the final group promo shot for the sixth season was released. Check it out below!

Be sure to catch the last season on PBS Masterpiece in 2016!

FYI: Michelle is wearing a Victoria Beckham suit.

35+ pictures inside of the Downton Abbey cast at the photo call…More Here! »

Michelle Dockery holds hands with her on-screen sister Laura Carmichael as they arrive at the BAFTA Tribute To ‘Downton Abbey’ event held at Richmond Theatre on Tuesday evening (August 11) in Richmond, England.

At the event, the 33-year-old actress reunited with Dan Stevens, who played Mary’s husband Matthew on the series before being killed off.

“Reunited. @thatdanstevens. I’ve missed this face. #bafta #LastDaysOfDownton #matthewandmary,” Michelle captioned on Instagram.

Lily James, Lesley Nicol, Phyllis Logan, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Joanne Froggatt, Maggie Smith, Sophie McShera, Allen Leech and others gathered for the event.

55+ pictures inside of the Downton Abbey cast at the tribute event…

Maggie Smith made some comments over the weekend which suggested she would be leaving Downton Abbey after next season.

Now, however, the 80-year-old actress’ rep is stating that she actually did not mean that she would be leaving the show and that she was just speaking lightheartedly.

“[Maggie] has always been on the record as saying she’ll be with the show for as long as the show runs,” her rep told The Wrap.

Downton Abbey just wrapped up another season over the weekend. Maggie portrays the Dowager Countess of Grantham.

ARE YOU EXCITED for more Maggie Smith on Downton Abbey???

Dame Maggie Smith said she will be leaving Downton Abbey after the next season, even as speculation circles that next season will be the show’s last.

“They say this is the last one, and I can’t see how it could go on,” the 80-year-old legendary actress told the Sunday Times. “I mean, I certainly can’t keep going… To my knowledge, I must be 110 by now. We’re into the late 1920s.”

“One isn’t safe after doing Downton. What’s sad is I’ve gone through my whole life without any of that. I could go round galleries and things on my own and I just can’t do it now. If someone decides to get at you, you can’t get away,” Maggie said about the fame.

“What’s awful is it used to be just autographs, but now everyone wants photographs,” Maggie added about the fame Downton Abbey has given in regards to fans. “You begin to feel like all those people who believed photographs took the soul away. There’s nothing like privacy, but nobody will have that soon. Nobody’s private any more.”

Thandie Newton shares a sweet moment with her hubby, screenwriter Ol Parker, at the world premiere of his latest film The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel held at Odeon Leicester Square on Tuesday (February 17) in London, England.

The 41-year-old actress and Ol, 54, were joined at the event by the stars of the flick Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Judi Dench, Diana Hardcastle, Lillete Dubey, Celia Imrie, and Tina Desai.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Thandie Newton

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which also stars Dev Patel and Richard Gere, is set to hit theaters on Friday (March 6) – Watch the trailer below!

FYI: Thandie is wearing a Chanel strapless gown paired with Chanel jewels.

30+ pictures inside of Thandie Newton and others at the world premiere of The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel…More Here! »