'Downton Abbey' Season 6 News, Cast, Spoilers: Fan-Favorite Character Turns Down Spin-Off Film
Being one of the British shows that has successfully crossed over and been well received by the American viewers, it has truly made a huge number of "Downton Abbey" fans disappointed to know that season 6 is the last of the period drama. As half of the sixth season has already aired in the United Kingdom, many have started to speculate on the idea that perhaps a spin-off film can be expected to follow, at least to satisfy fans once and for all. Although this may seem like a possibility, one of the characters that fans have grown to love isn't exactly on board with the idea.
According to Vanity Fair, Maggie Smith, who portrays the Dowager Countess, has expressed her refusal to be part of a spin-off film that could happen. Smith is one of the actors that has expressed delight over the end of the series. Although perhaps it is saddening for her to part ways with her co-stars, the exhaustion that the actress must have felt made her breathe a sigh of relief as the show is finally coming to a close. During an interview with Graham Norton, she shared, "I'm glad it's over, I really am." She adds that her gladness over the end of her role isn't just solely about her personal feeling of tiredness but rather her thoughts about her character's age. She goes, "By the time we finished [the Dowager Countess] must have been about 110. It couldn't go on and on, it just didn't make sense."
When asked whether she would be interested to partake in a spin-off film, she simply replied, "I can't. What age would she be?" This statement had perhaps shattered the hearts of many awaiting for a positive answer, as Smith's superb acting is definitely one of the elements that had fans tuning in every week.
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Furthermore, Smith teased future events in her character's life that would make it impossible for her to return after the finale. She shared, "I pleaded for something to happen to me." This is expected to occur during the annual Christmas special of the show. Perhaps followers now just hope that whatever will happen to the Dowager Countess will be at least gratifying.
For now, many of the U.S. fans await for the sixth and final season of "Downton Abbey" as it is expected to air on Jan. 3, 2016
