Emma Watson and Maggie Smith starred alongside each other in Harry Potter (Image: Warner Bros)
Emma Watson broke her silence following the death of her co-star Dame Maggie Smith. The Downton Abbey actress on Friday morning (September 27) at the age of 89.
The two-time Oscar winner’s death has sparked a flood of tributes from celebrities, including Emma who shared a moving tribute to her Stories.
The 34-year-old, who played Hermione Granger in the beloved movie franchise, shared an image of herself and Maggie during the filming of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2, released in 2011. Emma could be seen smiling as Maggie placed her hand on the side of the actress’s face in a sweet moment from behind-the-scenes.
“When I was younger I had no idea of Maggie’s legend – the woman I was fortunate enough to share space with,” Emma wrote. “It is only as I’ve become an adult that I’ve come to appreciate that I shared the screen with a true definition of greatness.
…
Emma penned an emotional tribute to her late co-star (Image: Instagram/Emma Watson)
The actress continued: “She was real, honest, funny and self-honouring. Maggie, there were a lot of male professors and by God you held your own.
“Thank you for all of your kindness. I’ll miss you,” she added. Maggie’s death was announced by her two sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, who said: “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday, September 27.
“An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.
They continued: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days.
Don’t miss…
Maggie died aged 89 (Image: Getty)
“We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time,” they concluded.
Danielle Radcliffe, 35, penned an emotional tribute to Maggie, recalling the first time they met when he was just nine years old while reading through scenes for TV miniseries David Copperfield.
“I remember feeling nervous to meet her and then her putting me immediately at ease. She was incredibly kind to me on that shoot, and then I was lucky enough to go on working with her for another 10 years on the Harry Potter films,” he wrote in a statement on X.
Daniel spoke of her “fierce intellect” and “gloriously sharp tongue” before revealing she “could intimidate and charm in the same instant”.
The actor added: “I will always consider myself amazingly lucky to have been able to work with her, and to spend time around her on set. The word legend is overused but if it applies to anyone in our industry then it applies to her. Thank you Maggie.”