Dame Maggie Smith was only Downton Abbey star exempt from huge rule. (Image: ITV)
The late Dame Maggie Smith clearly made quite an impression on the aristocratic owners of Highclere Castle.
She and her co-stars had been stationed there to film , but there were some strict rules everyone needed to follow. Intent on preserving the fragile historic interiors, those in charge issued a warning that no one could eat there.
In fact, they were so serious about ensuring the rule was upheld that they banished other cast members to trailers and tents on the estate’s grounds. Not so for the fabled Maggie, who had enjoyed an impressive seven-decade-long career in the industry before her sad death last year at the age of 89.
She was reportedly the only one allowed to eat indoors during filming days. A source published in The Sun stated: “She’d regularly be seen enjoying a cup of tea during her break while reading her scripts and the Carnarvon family absolutely adored her.”
The source continued: “Even before her death, the guides at Highclere were boasting about this to visitors – and even more so.” The family is said to “miss her terribly”.
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Dame Maggie Smith died last year. (Image: Getty)
The next Downton Abbey film – the third instalment – will be released on September 12, 2025.
However, there is said to be a strong feeling among friends, fans and cast members alike that the series won’t be the same in the future without Maggie there to add to the atmosphere.
There was reportedly a favourite spot that Maggie loved to spend time in during filming.
She would retreat to the Pink Room – an area so private that it hasn’t been seen by fans of the series at all.
Filming never took place there, or in the Music Room – so neither have been on TV screens.
When Maggie died, everyone from the King to the Prime Minister paid tribute.
King Charles mourned the loss of a “national treasure”, while a host of her Harry Potter co-stars stepped forward with fond memories of the star.
Of those who’d worked with her more recently, her Downton Abbey co-star Hugh Bonneville (the Earl of Grantham in the series) spoke of her “formidable talent”, branding her “the icon of a generation”.