Is Maggie Smith Leaving 'Downton Abbey'?

04/16/2012

Less than two weeks after BBC Masterpiece Classics producer Rebecca Eaton dished about the upcoming Season 3 of Downton Abbey and happened to state that star Dame Maggie Smith, 77, was "difficult" to work with, Smith has announced her decision to leave her role as Lady Violet, the Dowager Countess, on Downton Abbey when her contract ends after wrapping Season 3.