The celebrated actress revealed that the show's next season will be her last.
Update:
Despite telling the Sunday Times that she "certainly can’t keep going" past the next season of Downton Abbey, a rep for star Maggie Smith told Buzzfeed that the actress will, in fact, stay on until the series concludes.
"She would stay in the show for as long as the show runs," Smith’s publicist said, clarifying the actress' earlier remarks. It's currently unknown if the upcoming sixth season will be the show's finale season.
Fans of the British costume drama Downton Abbey have one last season to enjoy the talents of celebrated Dame Maggie Smith, as the 80-year-old star revealed that she is planning on exiting the series.
Downton Abbey, which just finished its fifth season, could be coming to a close in season 6 anyway, though the show's creator, Julian Fellowes, has yet to confirm.
NEWS: It's Tea Time at Downton Abbey
Smith, who plays Dowager Countess of Grantham Violet Crawley, spoke with the Sunday Times, and revealed that her role on the show, and possibly the show itself, would be coming to an end.
"They say this is the last one, and I can't see how it could go on," Smith said. "I mean, I certainly can't keep going. To my knowledge [my character] must be 110 by now."
The veteran actress won't be retiring from acting, however. According to Smith, quitting is too sad.
“When you're not working it's scary, and when you are working it's scary, because you don't know if you've got the energy to get through the day," Smith revealed. "But the bleakness of not doing it, and missing out on the friendships that you make, is too much to bear."
NEWS: First Look at George Clooney in Downton Abbey
The two-time Oscar winner's role on Downton Abbey has earned her a Golden Globe and two Emmys.
Downton Abbey, which is set in the 1920s, goes to great lengths to achieve historical accuracy -- except for the time a modern plastic water bottle accidentally appeared in the show's publicity photos. Check out the video below for a look at the hilarious photobombing.
