Hugh Bonneville has shared that the upcoming Downton Abbey movie will serve as a "great lasting tribute" to the late Dame Maggie Smith, who passed away last month at the age of 89.
The 60-year-old actor revealed that filming for the third instalment of the period drama wrapped this summer, promising that it will "bring closure to all the storylines."
Hugh plays Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, the on-screen son of Dame Maggie's character, Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, in the popular ITV series that ran from 2010 to 2015.
Speaking on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio UK, Hugh honoured his late, Oscar-winning co-star and reflected on her legacy.
He said: “We finished a third - and I think probably final - Downton Abbey film this summer, which will come out next September and that is a wonderful sort of closing off of all the stories, so it's a proper film for the fans.
“It's very much set in the house and saying goodbye to all these characters and we obviously say goodbye to Dame Maggie, which was very poignant on screen and now in real life.
“She'll be sorely missed. But the final film will obviously be a great lasting tribute to her.”
Following her death last month aged 89, Bonneville hailed Dame Maggie as a “true legend of her generation” and praised his late co-star’s “sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent”.
He said: “Anyone who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent.
“She was a true legend of her generation and thankfully will live on in so many magnificent screen performances.
“My condolences to her boys and wider family.”
The release date for the much-anticipated third Downton Abbey movie was announced at the end of last month, set for a global premiere on September 12, 2025.
Universal Pictures UK confirmed the news on Instagram, writing, “A new motion picture event. The third film in the beloved #DowntonAbbey franchise will be released only in cinemas September 12, 2025.”
Returning cast members include Bonneville, Dominic West, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan and Robert James-Collier.
Joanne Froggatt, who recently announced her pregnancy, will also reprise her role, alongside Allen Leech, Penelope Wilton, Lesley Nicol, Michael Fox, Raquel Cassidy, Brendan Coyle, Kevin Doyle, Harry Hadden-Paton, Sophie McShera, and Douglas Reith.
Oscar nominee Paul Giamatti will be back as Cora's brother, Harold Levinson. New additions are expected to include Joely Richardson, Alessandro Nivola, and House of the Dragon actors Simon Russell Beale and Arty Froushan.
