‘Downton Abbey’ star reveals how likely it is Lady Violet will be back in sequel

The odds of Dame Maggie Smith returning in the next Downton movie have been revealed!

The star reprised her role as Lady Violet in the first Downton Abbey film last autumn, following a lot of persuading.

Smith previously played the Dowager Countess in all 52 episodes of ITV’s hit period drama series between 2010 and 2015.

Shocking fans around the world, Violet confided in Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) at the end of the movie that she “may not have long to live.”

Fortunately, since then it’s appeared that the Downton team are considering a miraculous recovery for the character.

Executive producer Gareth Neame hinted last year: “The doctors have got things wrong before on Downton.”

However, it sounds like Dame Maggie herself might be absolutely fine with Violet being killed off.

The 84-year-old English actress admitted recently that she didn’t find Downton Abbey – or Harry Potter – particularly interesting to work on, saying: “…it wasn’t what you’d call satisfying. I didn’t really feel I was acting in those things.”

Smith’s co-star Lesley Nicol, who plays Mrs Patmore, has spoken about the chances of Maggie Smith returning in the second movie.

Nicol told Cinema Blend: “Who the heck knows? It looks like, if you’ve seen the film, it looks like that’s bye, bye Maggie, but who the heck knows? We don’t know.”

She added: “I wouldn’t begin to guess, because I wouldn’t rule it out, and I would say it’s 50/50. She might not. It depends what Julian [Fellowes] does and what he wants to do and what she wants to do.”

Lesley Nicol can also be seen in Beecham House, which premiered in the US in March.

The Downton sequel is expected to begin filming next year.

The Downton Abbey movie is available on DVD on Amazon.