Did ‘Downton Abbey Come To An End Because A Main Character Quit? Did The Dowager Pull The Plug? [Spoilers]

Was there a “real reason” behind the end of Downton Abbey? Sources are saying that the party line that Julian Fellowes and the cast wanted to end on top could have some truth to it, but Gareth Neame is now saying that the major reason that the show came to an end was that Dame Maggie Smith quit. Neame said that they couldn’t imagine going forward with Downton Abbey without Smith’s character Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess.

According to the Inquisitr, the Christmas Day finale wrapped up many loose ends in the tale of the Crawley family of Downton Abbey. As usual, Maggie Smith played a large role in the finale, and left audiences impressed. The Dowager Countess of Downton Abbey was as acerbic as usual, but never predictable. She saw her children, her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren into the next phase of their lives, while also being an ally to those closest to her.

Downton Abbey boss reveals the show ended because Dame Maggie Smith quit https://t.co/NjGPsOojY1

— AXAP (@axapteam) December 26, 2015

The Mirror is reporting that Downton Abbey indeed came to an end because Maggie Smith quit. The biggest hit of all times for ITV and PBS could have continued, but it wouldn’t have been the same. Executive Producer Gareth Neame was the one who pulled the plug.

“We easily could have gone for a seventh season, but if I’d have said ‘We haven’t got Maggie’ it would have been a shadow of itself. We all feel very blessed. Nobody regrets ending when we did.”

Creator Julian Fellowes said that he is eternally grateful for the success of Downton Abbey.

“The Downtown journey has been amazing for everyone aboard. People ask if we knew what was going to happen when we started to make the first series and the answer is that, of course we had no idea. Exactly why the series had such an impact and reached so many people around the world, all nationalities, all ages, all types, I cannot begin to explain.”

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The Sun stresses that it was truly Maggie Smith who killed off Downton Abbey. Dame Maggie Smith said she thought it was time to move on.

“I felt very old indeed by the time I got to the Dowager. To my knowledge my character must be 110 by now.”

But Smith might be on board for a Downton Abbey movie next year to tell one more story. A story about how life continues for a great family and a major estate.

“We’re not in denial about anything. We’ll know more next year.”

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Forbes reviewed the final episode, and shared what becomes of the upstairs and downstairs cast of Downton Abbey. Neil Midgley reviewed the finale on behalf of Forbes, and said the major theme was coupling. The show was tied up neatly with a bow, and nobody was left with disappointment, which includes footman Thomas.

“I had predicted on Forbes that Downton Abbey would end happily. But even I didn’t expect the explosion of heterosexuality that this Christmas Special actually delivered – with pretty much every regular character finding true love.”

The Downton Abbey finale sees two couples married, and the appearance of a baby or two in time for the new year. Couples from their twenties to eighties will find their way, and the Dowager Countess is still the Queen Bee.

Will you be sorry to see Downton Abbey and Maggie Smith go?

[Image via ITV Studios]