In light of the recent passing of Dame Maggie Smith on Friday, 27 September 2024, at the age of 89, we asked our writers to share their memories of the beloved actress.
In memoriam of Maggie Smith
“National treasure” Dame Maggie Smith, the legendary British actress whose successful career spanned over 70 years, passed away last Friday, 27 September, at the age of 89. Tributes poured in from former co-stars like Hugh Bonneville, Emma Watson, and Whoopi Goldberg, as well as from King Charles, and the prime minister, all in awe of her character, talent, and achievements on both stage and screen.
I vividly remember Dame Maggie leaving a lasting impression on me when I first saw her as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films. The Hogwarts teacher is one of her most iconic roles for younger generations, rivalled perhaps only by her stunning portrayal of matriarch Violet Crawley in ITV’s Downton Abbey. Reading the obituaries, it’s hard to define a prime in her career—it seemed to continuously reach new heights, from her work with the Royal Shakespeare Company to her two Oscar wins for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and California Suite.
Dame Maggie is an actress I and so many others grew up with. She has been our teacher, our “Granny,” an authoritative figure who nevertheless won our hearts with her warmth and comedic talent. Violet Crawley’s line, “What is a weekend?” is one of the most memorable on British TV. While she never sought the limelight, she took pride in being recognised as McGonagall by younger fans. There’s no better way to honour her legacy than to (re)watch and appreciate her wide body of work.
Amélie Schu
A Fond Farewell to Maggie Smith
Like many, I was first introduced to Maggie Smith in her role as Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter. And, like many again, I came to hold dearer her Emmy-winning portrayal of Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, in ITV’s Downton Abbey.
The grand matriarch is a sharpshooter when it comes to her words, cracking out witty remarks and thinly veiled insults whenever she pleases. One iconic line of hers is, “Vulgarity is no substitute for wit.” Her rivalry with Isobel Crawley offers countless moments of comedic relief, even long after they become confidantes. Frankly, everyone deserves a brutally honest friend like Violet. While her sharp tongue, antiquated views, and air of snobbery may be hard to swallow at first, it doesn’t take long for Smith’s performance to win us over.
Smith reprised her role in two Downton Abbey movie spin-offs, where Violet reveals her illness and eventually succumbs. Even on her deathbed, her clever quips persist, but the presence of misty-eyed family members illustrates the profound impact Violet has had on their lives. This final scene offers a poignant cinematic farewell, not only to Violet but to the dedicated actress behind her.
We were fortunate to witness the talent of Maggie Smith, which will continue to inspire, comfort, and entertain. So, I leave you with Violet’s words to her granddaughter Mary: “Save your tears for something sad. There’s nothing sad here. I have lived a privileged and interesting life, and now it’s time to go.”
Holly Chan
On Tuesday night, 1 October, the West End theatres in London dimmed their lights for two minutes at 7pm in memory of Dame Maggie Smith. A two-time Academy Award winner and deserving of her status as a “national treasure,” Smith passed away on Friday, 27 September, at the age of 89. While the cause of her death remains unknown, audiences and supporters are invited to reflect on and celebrate the life of this extraordinary actress.
Smith’s career spanned eight decades, beginning with her theatre debut in 1952 at the age of 17, when she played Viola in Twelfth Night at the Oxford Playhouse. She studied at the Oxford University Dramatic Society and began her career as a stage actress, quickly garnering the attention of critics and eventually that of Laurence Olivier, who invited her to join his newly formed National Theatre Company in 1962.
Her rise to stardom culminated with her 1969 Academy Award win for Best Actress in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. She later won her second Oscar in 1978 for Best Supporting Actress in California Suite. Smith was nominated for six Olivier Awards and received a Special Award in 2010 honouring her lifetime dedication to the creative arts.
While our generation may remember her best for her work in the Harry Potter series and Downton Abbey, in light of Smith’s passing, now seems an ideal moment for fans and cinema lovers to explore the full breadth of her nuanced and remarkable career.
Aislinn McSharry
“Harry Potter studio tour: Professor McGonagall costume” by Rev Stan is licensed under CC BY 2.0.