Maggie Smith, who died Friday at the age of 89, earned three Primetime Emmy awards for her role as Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham in all six seasons of the British period drama Downton Abbey. She also reprized her role in the two Downton Abbey movies: her character died in 2022 Downton Abbey: a new era.

Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes is among those paying tribute to Smith, issuing the following statement: “Maggie Smith was a truly wonderful actress and we were more than fortunate to be part of the final act in her amazing career. She was a joy to write for, subtle, layered, intelligent, funny and heartbreaking. Working with her has been the greatest privilege of my career and I will never forget her.”

Gareth Neame of Carnival Films, executive producer of Downton Abbey series and producer, Downton Abbey films, shared a statement about his working relationship with Smith and his personal bond with the actor.

“Maggie Smith was one of the greatest actors of our time and a beloved member of the Downton family,” Neame wrote. “Starring Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, Maggie created one of the best screen performances we’ve seen in six seasons of the television series and two films spanning twelve years. The entire cast and crew of Downton Abbey it was a huge honor to work with her, she was an actress of such stature whose incredible talent could encompass both high comedy and outright tragedy. Off-screen, she was particularly close to the cast who played the other members of her family and was very generous and full of encouragement to the younger actors. It is personally poignant that my late grandfather directed one of her finest performances in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” for which she won her first Academy Award. Jean Brodie and Violet Grantham are just two creations in an extraordinary career that has spanned decades and thrilled audiences around the world. There is only one Maggie Smith and she will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with her family.”

Michelle Dockery, who played Lady Mary Crowley, said in a statement to Deadline: “There was no one like Maggie. I feel extremely lucky to have known such an outsider. She will be greatly missed and my thoughts are with her family.”

Hugh Bonneville, who played Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, the actor’s son in the show, wrote in a statement to the media: “Anyone who has ever shared a scene with Maggie will testify to her keen eye, sharp wit and formidable talent.

“She was a true legend of her generation and will happily live on in so many wonderful film performances. My condolences to her boys and the rest of the family.”

Dan Stevens, who played Matthew Crawley, wrote of Smith: “Truly one of the greats. RIP” on Instagram.

We’ll update with more, if/when they arrive.