Maggie Smith Has Never Seen “Downton”
Dame Maggie Smith has revealed that she has never watched a single episode of “Downton Abbey.” The 78-year-old actor who plays the Dowager Countess of Grantham in the PBS/ITV drama series said she would find it too frustrating to watch and notice how she could have done things better. She told the “60 Minutes” program airing this Sunday that she might tune in but only after leaving the show. Why, then, does she continue to play the part? For “the delight of acting.”
Well, I can (sort of) understand one not wanting to watch one’s work while it’s ongoing, especially if the show is so successful. I’ve known other actors (but not musicians) who refused to watch their movies or television programs. But it seems to me that it would help you hone matters. On the other hand, Dame Maggie Smith is pushing 80, and as far as I’m concerned, she couldn’t be any better at what she does. I got to see her onstage twice, a few decades apart, once as Desdemona in L. Olivier’s OTHELLO, and once as a half-scatterbrain in the great Peter Shaffer’s LETTUCE AND LOVAGE. She was–and is–as good as it gets.
She doesn’t need to watch. She’s perfect.