Maggie Smith Hasn't Seen a Single Episode of Downton Abbey
Ever wonder how Dame Maggie Smith manages to play her part as Downton Abbey's Dowager Countess so perfectly?
That's because she and Violet Crawley are one and the same.
In a rare sit-down interview with 60 Minutes, Smith revealed that she hasn't actually seen a single episode of her internationally acclaimed TV show.
"I don't sit down to watch it," Smith tells a stunned Steve Croft. "Never?" he inquires, flabbergasted. "No, I haven't watched it," she replies.
The 78-year-old Smith, who racked up a bunch of prestigious awards playing Old Lady Grantham, explains that she's simply too much of a perfectionist, and worries that watching herself on TV would lead to second guess her own performance.
"I will look at it when it's all over," Smith says. "Maybe."
The full interview is set to air this Sunday at 7 PM ET. Downton Abbey's third season finale will follow at 9.
