The upcoming Downton Abbey 3 will honor the “end of an era” marked by the passing of the Dowager Countess, a sentiment that has deepened following the death of Oscar-winning actress Maggie Smith, according to executive producer Gareth Neame.

In a recent interview with TVLine, Neame shared that the film, set to release in theaters on September 12, 2025, will reflect the cast and crew’s “immense respect for her,” which will be evident in the next installment. He emphasized, “We will never see the likes of Dame Maggie Smith again.”

Neame, an Emmy winner and former BBC executive, noted, “The fact that Dame Maggie has passed away since then adds a poignant layer to a story we had already planned.” He explained that the loss of the Dowager Countess now carries greater weight, as viewers will witness characters mourning their family matriarch. He added, “It feels more authentic and meaningful to see actors grieving not only for their character’s matriarch but also for the matriarch of the show.”

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Focus Features and Universal Pictures International’s third installment, directed by Simon Curtis, completed filming this past summer. The screenplay is penned by Downton creator and Oscar winner Julian Fellowes, with Neame and Emmy Award-winning Liz Trubridge serving as producers. The cast includes Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Robert James-Collier, Joanne Froggatt, and others, who collectively honored Smith after her passing at the age of 89 on September 27.

The Harry Potter star earned three Primetime Emmy Awards for her portrayal of Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, throughout all six seasons of the acclaimed British period drama. She reprised her role in the two subsequent films, with her character’s death occurring in 2022’s Downton Abbey: A New Era.

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Person: Maggie Smith, Gareth Neame, Liz Trubridge, Matt Barber, Whoopi Goldberg, Simon Curtis, Julian Fellowes, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Robert James-Collier, Joanne Froggatt

Company Names: Focus Features, Universal Pictures International

Titles: Downton Abbey 3, Downton Abbey, Sister Act 3, Downton Abbey: A New Era

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