“Downton Abbey” is a British TV drama series that reveal people’s life during the Edwardian era. The series is critically acclaimed, and is considered one of the best costume drama series ever shot in Britain. Maggie Smith plays the role of Violet , Dowager Countess of Grantham. Belonging to the aristocratic family, Violet displays herself as a formidable and disdainful person, and a strict mother of the Earl of Grantham. Together with the Countess, a viewer experiences the problems of the Crawley family, its members’ lives, and events of the beginning of XX century. Undoubtedly, Maggie Smith acts perfectly in the series. Her unique sense of comedy, based on ironic attitude to real life, contributes to her funny and at the same time sad image. Her greatest ability to transform her inner self into that of the character, and natural mega-talent absorb audience’s attention.
Maggie Smith is an emotional professional actress with many years’ experience gained in her extensive multi-faceted career. Her sense of humor and fascinating acting talent determined the success of “Downton Abbey”. Her Emmy Award 2011 proves that the unexcelled actress deserves international recognition.