As a devoted Downton Abbey fan, I was stunned to learn that Maggie Smith, who played the iconic Violet Crawley, had expressed relief when her character's death was confirmed in A New Era. Tragically, shortly after, Maggie passed away, adding a heartbreaking layer to her on-screen farewell. – Bella
For many fans, the death of Violet Crawley was a heart-wrenching moment. Yet, for Dame Maggie Smith, the reality behind this decision was quite different. According to producer Gareth Neame, the choice to end Violet’s story wasn’t a difficult one, largely due to Smith’s long-standing wish. At the age of 89, Smith had often found the role draining and would frequently joke, “Oh, can’t you just kill me off?” When the time finally came, Smith’s reaction was one of relief rather than regret.
She embraced the decision with grace and perhaps even a touch of humor, which had always been characteristic of her presence both on and off-screen.
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