Actor Dame Maggie Smith has passed at the age of 89.
I’m most fond of her role as Dowager Countess Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey. It is one of the best in that franchise—most of the characters are interesting and all of the acting is fantastic, but hers topped it by far. Already two years ago, you could tell from the footage of the second movie, Downton Abbey: A New Era, that she was getting very old and fragile. I remember thinking at the time that I wouldn’t be surprised if that was to be her last performance. (It wasn’t, but almost.)
I also love her snarky Professor Minerva McGonagall from the Harry Potter movies. In addition, in the non-SFFnal work of hers I’ve seen she’s always been consummate, even if the roles themselves might sometimes be lukewarm.
Rest in peace, Dame Maggie. You will be missed.
Image: giffed screenshot from Downton Wars: Episode 2 – The Evil Butler Strikes Back, found via Primogif
Co-Geeking 
You must be logged in to post a comment.