AceShowbiz - In the aftermath of Maggie Smith's passing in September 2023, "Downton Abbey" executive producer Gareth Neame revealed that the untitled "A New Era" sequel, set to release in September 2025, will include a special tribute to the beloved actress and her character.

Neame explained that the film was always intended to feature a tribute to Smith's character, but the actress' death has added a profound emotional resonance to the narrative. "The loss of the Dowager now feels far more significant," he said. "You see actors playing characters mourning the family matriarch and also mourning the matriarch of the show."

Neame emphasized the profound respect and admiration the Downton cast and crew felt for Smith. "She was an actress of such stature whose incredible talent encompassed high comedy and tragedy," he said. "We will never see the like of Dame Maggie Smith ever again."

This tribute to Smith and the Dowager Countess is expected to be a poignant and meaningful moment in the film for fans of the series and cinema alike. Neame promised that the cast and crew's "huge respect for her will come across in the next movie."

Smith received numerous accolades for her portrayal of the Dowager Countess in the "Downton Abbey" TV series and movies, including three Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe. She also won two Academy Awards for her performances in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" and "California Suite".

The third "Downton Abbey" film will continue the story of the Crawley family and their staff, with a cast that includes Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery and many others. It is set to explore the themes of loss, remembrance, and the passage of time while paying homage to one of television and cinema's greatest legends.