Downton Abbey film sequel: Is the Dowager DEAD? Julian Fellowes EXCLUSIVE interview

As the clip shows, there is nobody quite like her. It seems impossible to imagine the Abbey without The Dowager’s delicious one-liners and withering put-downs, delivered with Maggie Smith’s inimitable timing and disdain. When we caught up with Lord Fellowes to chat about the recent movie’s staggering success and home entertainment release, we had to know what comes next. The creator of Downton also told us why nobody delivers a line quite like Dame Maggie.

Fellowes said “It’s always fun to write the wisecracks for Maggie because she plays them so well.

“You never have to explain to her, she completely gets it straight away and she never embellishes. Some actors don’t realise if you add a word to a funny line you change its rhythm and it’s no longer funny.

“So much is to do with the music of a line and you have to land on the punch word. Maggie always understands that. I’ve loved writing for her.”

We wonder, though, if it’s curtains for the Countess after the film ended with a devastating revelation about her health.

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Julian simply smiles and says, “That’s always been her way. She never gives the game away until it suits her.”

How very like the Dowager.

Smith’s young co-stars Michael C Fox and Sophie McShera, who play footman Andy and maid Daisy tell us what it’s like working with such a legend.

Michael says: “It’s amazing. She starts talking about Olivier, Burton and Gielgud. You can’t fathom how influential and iconic she is – but she never takes herself seriously.”

Sophie adds: “She is so funny. Her one-liners are as good as the Dowager’s. She’s very quick.”