Dame Maggie Smith dies aged 89

Her family have announced the news in a statement

Announcing her death, her children Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens said in a statement: “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September.

"An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days.”

Over a career spanning seven decades, Smith achieved national treasure status with her roles in film and television, and was one of the most esteemed names in British acting.

Born in 1934, in Ilford, England, Maggie Smith trained at the Oxford Playhouse before making her mark in British theatre and cinema.

She had several roles in both stage and screen, earning acclaim in both comedic and dramatic performances.

She won two Academy Awards, for best actress in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) and best supporting actress California Suite (1978), and in 1990 she was made a dame by Queen Elizabeth II.

But it was for her portrayal of Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter film that many came to knwo and love the actress. Smith endeared herself to a new generation with her role as the harsh but fair witch in the much-loved franchise, and was one of the most popular characters in the films.

She was one of the few actors to appear in every film in the series, from 2001 to 2011.

After the Harry Potter films, Smith's next major role came in the television, where she starred as the indomitable Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey.

She went on to reprise her role in two standalone films, released in 2019 and 2022, cementing her place as a British cultural icon both here in the UK and across the globe.

Smith also received acclaim later in her career for her role in 2015 film The Lady in the Van, for which she received a Bafta nomination for best actress in a leading role.

She is survived by her two sons, actors Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin.