Beloved actress Maggie Smith passed away this year in late September, and despite her legacy of two Academy Award wins, and a long list of memorable roles, her absence will still be sorely felt in the upcoming film Downton Abbey 3 .

Late star Maggie Smith will be honoured with a special tribute in the third Downton Abbey movie. As per Variety, executive producer Gareth Neame confirm

The next installment of the movie DOWNTOWN ABBEY will pay tribute to a special actress, Maggie Smith, who died in September at the age of 89.

Violet Crawley's death will weigh more heavily in the third Downton Abbey movie following the passing of Maggie Smith this year.

The Crawleys’ return to the big screen in the third “Downton Abbey” movie next September will be bittersweet, as the producer of the hit ITV/PBS series says they will pay homage to the late Maggie Smith, who played the family matriarch Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham.

Downton Abbey 3,’ a heartfelt tribute to Dame Maggie Smith. Posted: December 28, 2024 \. The third ‘Downton Abbey’ film honors the late Da

The fact that Dame Maggie herself has now passed away since that time, I do think, has given a real added poignancy to a story that we would have planned anyway,” said exec producer Gareth Neame.

The film's executive producer said Smith's death gave an "added poignancy to a story that we would have planned anyway"