Maggie Smith confirmed to return for new ‘Downton Abbey’

Maggie Smith will definitely be returning for the new series of Downton Abbey, the show’s executive producer has confirmed.

The 79-year-old actress has played the scene-stealing Dowager Countess in ITV’s hit period drama since it began in 2010, picking up a Golden Globe Award and two Emmys for her performance.

However, recent reports have suggested that Smith, a double Oscar winner, intends to follow in the footsteps of former castmates Dan Stevens and Jessica Brown-Findlay by bowing out of the ensemble series.

Asked about Smith’s future on Downton Abbey, executive producer Gareth Neame told The Hollywood Reporter: “Maggie Smith will be in the show as long as she wants to do it. She’ll be back this coming season. She’s a huge part of the show, and I think she enjoys doing it.

“I think it’s remarkable for someone who’s had such a long and illustrious career to be still delivering work of this calibre. One has also really got to make reference to the remarkable combination of [writer] Julian Fellowes and Maggie Smith. She’s almost like a muse to him.”

Earlier this month (February), it was announced that Richard E Grant and Anna Chancellor have joined the cast for the new series of Downton Abbey. In addition, Harriet Walter is to return as Lady Shackleton, a character she originated in the last series of the period soap.

Series five began filming earlier this month and will air on ITV later this year as eight regular episodes plus a Christmas special.