Maggie Smith Confirmed For Fourth Season Of Downton Abbey

Dame Maggie Smith will be appearing in the fourth season of ITV’s Downton Abbey.

Warning: Contains Spoilers For American Readers!

The actress will continue in her role as Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, on the period drama. Smith’s participation in the fourth season was confirmed by the drama’s producer Gareth Neame to TV Line following the Golden Globes on Sunday night.

There had been some speculation over Smith’s future with Downton Abbey as the actress had not signed up to appear for a fourth season. Downton Abbey’s creator Julian Fellowes admitted over the Summer he was unsure if Smith would sign up to return. The writer said over the Summer “It’s entirely up to her when she stays and when she goes .Other [actors] sign on for the next series and they sign for this and they sign for that, but she doesn’t. She stays her own person. But as far as I’m concerned, I hope she stays with the show until Downton falls down.”

According to press reports the actress was one of several who didn’t sign up for new contracts to remain with Downton Abbey. Another actor who didn’t renew his contract with the drama was Dan Stevens who played Matthew Crawley; the character was written out in the 2012 Christmas Special.

[Written by Doug Lambert, Source: TV Line]