Maggie Smith talks about the final series of Downton Abbey during a Q&A

I was lucky enough to attend an official question and answer session with some of the cast members ahead of the final series of Downton Abbey. The magnificent Dame Maggie Smith was one of those who took part. Here are Maggie's thoughts about appearing on the series.

How do you feel about the series coming to an end?

I’m just surprised that I got to the end because just before this I’d done about 10 years with Harry Potter. So I felt very old indeed by the time I got to the Dowager. I’m honestly just surprised that I got through it and I’m still here.

Have you enjoyed Violet’s magnificent one-liners and put downs?

That’s Julian. In Gosford Park, which was before this, I had a few of those put downs and I think he bore that in mind. They’re wonderful put downs but, believe me, they are all Julian’s. I get accused of making things up myself and I absolutely don’t, they are all his.

Do you look for them when get the script for the next episode or series?

We’re usually scrambling to keep up with what’s there and because it’s out of sequence, a lot of the shooting, that’s pretty alarming. It is incredibly hard to go from one to five to four to six, in the episodes. So thank God they are written with clarity otherwise you would never be able to keep up and they are written with clarity and they are in shortish bits.

What will you be doing now that the show has come to an end?

I’m going to be lying down, I believe for quite some time. The other thing I will be doing is watching it. I will get the box set and have a good look.

If a film was made about the series would you be interested in appearing in it?

Yes but my wig has been around for a long time. I’m not sure if the wig will be around but, hopefully, I will be. But I think the wig is slightly more tired than I am but, no, it would be fun.

Have you taken any mementos home with you?

We wouldn’t dare, we absolutely wouldn’t dare.

Do you share anything in common with your character?

Oh yes. I’m like that all the time, every single moment. I never let up, everything I say is brilliant just like Julian.

Has being so busy kept you in good health?

I think that’s debatable. This is why I want to lie down. It’s very good because moan one might but I think it would be very very alarming to be completely on your own and have nothing to do except lie down.

Has appearing on the show made you want to investigate any piece of history in more depth?

I feel as though I’ve lived through most of it. What I always find really hard is the Great War. I find that one of the most difficult periods to go near and I have done it in a kind of jolly way in Oh! What A Lovely War. I remember my mother saying she would never, ever watch it because she had lost so much during it. So that period has always been very unnerving, it’s when we know what’s ahead, too, that you find it really heartbreaking, so it has a lot of effect.

Downton Abbey will return next month on ITV and will be shown on PBS in America later in the year.