Maggie Smith to leave ‘Downton Abbey’ after Season 6

New York Daily News ^ | 3-2-15 | David Hinckley

[RedMDer]

Let's get this done!
Less than $4.4k to go!!

[E. Pluribus Unum]

They did diagnose it as ulcers, but they have now foreshadowed a heart attack.

[TomGuy]

I thought I read recently that Season 6 would be the last season. The creator has gone on to other projects. His daughter is currently in charge of D.A.

[Mama Shawna]

She's complaining that now after Downton Abbey she can't go anywhere without being recognized, despite a lifetime on the stage and screen beforehand.

She didn't have that happening from all the Harry Potter movies? Have never watched Downtown Abbey. Might have to check it out on Netflix, if they have it, now that hubby is working swing shift, I might be able to watch shows like this.

[Varda]

Violet is the best character on Downton. She was fun but the show has “jumped the shark” . It’s characters are incoherent and it has started to repeat plot points.

[afraidfortherepublic]

I’m afraid you are right. Edith is getting just ridiculous, and nobody could be meaner than Mary (except for Thomas Barrow). And now that there are professional nannies caring for her, couldn’t they put a smile on Marigold’s face? They even killed off Isis.

[rhinohunter]

If she is leaving the show should certainly end. I expect it will.
If they do try to extend it, they may as well queue up Henry Winkler for a guest appearance with his water skis.

[tanknetter]

Her character makes lots of “personal” references to the 1800s. Don’t recall how early, though.

Makes sense. Maggie Smith is in her early 80s. If she's the same age as her character in 1924, that would mean she was born in the mid 1840s. At the time of the wedding of Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg Gotha to Russian Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna (in 1874) she would have been in her early 30s.

So the timeline fits pretty well.

[Engedi]

I love the zingers between Mary and Edith. I love this show. I am getting really tired of the obscession of Eve and her daughter. People are laughing, eating and having a bloody good time and then Edith says something like “ I wonder if the children are having a good time”.

[afraidfortherepublic]

How about, “How dare Mary go shopping when I have just had word that Michael Grigson is dead?” (or something to that effect)

[Lizavetta]

The Dowager Countess and downstairs boss Carson are the best parts of the show. Mrs. Hughes is wonderful, as is Mrs. Patmore. Mary's a cold beeyotch and Edith is pathetic. Cora's over the top serene act is really grating and she's not a very good actress. Mr. Barrows is quite evil but he has shown some brief moments of humanity. The Bateses are cute but the bad luck tone to their lives is getting old.

So that's my opinion of some of the actors. There is no charge. :)

[BeauBo]

“I thought I read recently that Season 6 would be the last season. The creator has gone on to other projects.”

I understand that he is going to do another opulent dramatic series for an American Network, set in the Gilded Age.

I have heard from several sources that season 6 is it for Downton Abbey.

[newfreep]

Gorgeous song “Jean”, too by an artist whose name I simply cannot remember.

[Calvin Locke]

Expecting a visit from the “Doctor” to really JTS?

[Calvin Locke]

Thought he had ulcers? Just a cover, then?

[CaptainK]

Rod McKuen wrote it. The song was made popular by the singer Oliver.

[Gay State Conservative]

I can see that they're running out of ideas...just as did Upstairs/Downstairs.

[marsh2]

perhaps she will be offed by the Bateses. It looks like they might be setting up a spin off with the butler and head housekeeper.

[X Fretensis]

Hate to see the old gal go. She is a fine actress with a long and distinguished career. Think the first time I saw this women was in a flick called the Prime of Miss Jean Brody, maybe during the late 60s. A real screen talent.

[newfreep]

Thanks. I remembered RMK wrote the song...just could not recall the singer.