With her unforgettable wit, razor-sharp timing, and the kind of gravitas that only true icons possess, Maggie Smith was a treasure in every film she graced. Her career spanned more than six decades, leaving us a legacy of roles that were so much more than just characters—they were people, unforgettable in every sense. To honor her memory, here’s a look back at her best movie roles and the reasons they’re etched in our hearts forever.
1. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969)
At the height of her career, Maggie Smith dove into the role of Miss Jean Brodie, the eccentric, sometimes dangerous teacher who believes herself a kind of savior to her students. This is Maggie Smith in her purest form—witty, fiery, and, at times, deeply unsettling. Watching her strut across the screen as the irreverent Jean Brodie, you can’t look away. She embodies that fierce, almost blind passion in a way few actors ever could, earning her first Oscar for the role and showing us what a truly complex character looks like.
2. A Room with a View (1985)
As Charlotte Bartlett, the prudish, well-meaning chaperone in A Room with a View, Maggie brought humor, pathos, and depth to a role that might have been forgettable in anyone else’s hands. Her constant fussing and moral ambivalence could’ve made Charlotte irritating, but Maggie found the heart beneath the surface. Charlotte’s blend of insecurity and fierce propriety feels so real that we sympathize with her, even when she’s out of touch. She made Charlotte Bartlett so human, so touching—you just wanted to hug her.
3. Harry Potter Series (2001–2011)
For a generation of fans, Maggie Smith will forever be Professor McGonagall. Her calm authority, dry humor, and flashes of genuine affection for her students made her the epitome of the beloved teacher we all wished we’d had. Smith’s McGonagall feels real and grounded in every scene—no small feat when surrounded by magic. Whether she’s transforming desks into pigs or staring down dark wizards, her McGonagall is a delight to watch and adds a layer of emotional depth that grounds the entire series.
4. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)
In this late-career role, Maggie brought to life Muriel Donnelly, a tough, slightly prejudiced former housekeeper who reluctantly heads to India. Here, Maggie captures something really special—a mix of vulnerability and grit that’s both hilarious and moving. Muriel’s journey from closed-mindedness to cultural curiosity is beautifully subtle, and Maggie brings out the character’s softer side so gradually that you hardly notice it happening. She turns Muriel into a complex portrait of someone stubbornly confronting their own biases.
5. The Lady in the Van (2015)
In The Lady in the Van, Maggie takes on one of her quirkiest roles as Miss Shepherd, a homeless woman who parks her van in a man’s driveway and stays for 15 years. Maggie’s performance is equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, capturing the eccentricities of Miss Shepherd with a twinkle and an edge. Underneath the strange habits and gruff exterior, Maggie finds the vulnerability that reminds us of the real person inside, giving us a glimpse of the pain and past behind the eccentric front. It’s a role that’s raw, messy, and unapologetically human.
6. Gosford Park (2001)
As Constance, Countess of Trentham, Maggie Smith steals every scene in this murder-mystery satire. With biting one-liners and a haughty stare that could freeze an army, her Countess is both amusingly snobbish and oddly endearing. Maggie’s timing here is brilliant, turning her into an unforgettable presence with just a glance or an arched eyebrow. It’s comedy and drama woven together so perfectly that even in a house full of compelling characters, you can’t wait for the Countess to reappear.
7. Death on the Nile (1978)
In Death on the Nile, Maggie plays Miss Bowers, the nurse and confidante to a wealthy socialite. Although it’s an ensemble cast, Maggie’s presence elevates Miss Bowers beyond a mere side character. She brings a dry humor to the role and makes Miss Bowers fascinating to watch. She blends into the mystery with such subtlety that you almost overlook her—until you realize she’s quietly one-upping everyone around her. That’s Maggie’s genius: even when she’s not the star, she becomes unforgettable.
8. California Suite (1978)
Maggie took home her second Oscar for California Suite, playing Diana Barrie, a British actress dealing with personal turmoil during an awards show trip. Diana’s vulnerability and desperation are palpable, and Maggie brings an edge to the role that makes it painfully authentic. Her scenes with Michael Caine as her estranged husband are filled with raw emotion, humor, and tragedy, capturing the bittersweet nature of Diana’s fading career. It’s a performance that stays with you, perfectly blending humor with heartbreak.
9. Quartet (2012)
In Quartet, Maggie plays Jean Horton, a retired opera singer who finds herself living in a home for retired musicians. Jean is witty, proud, and more than a little prickly, but Maggie peels back those layers to reveal a woman haunted by past regrets. Her chemistry with the rest of the cast, including old friend Tom Courtenay, is electric, and she brings a genuine warmth and complexity to a story that’s all about aging with grace, humor, and a little sass.
10. Hook (1991)
Though Hook isn’t remembered as one of her biggest films, Maggie Smith’s portrayal of an elderly Wendy Darling is deeply touching. She gives Wendy a gentle, wistful quality that grounds the fantasy of the story, reminding us of the bittersweetness of growing up and letting go of childhood. In her brief scenes, she conveys a lifetime of love, loss, and wisdom. Her Wendy is the soul of the film, quietly conveying what Neverland’s magic can’t replace.
11. Sister Act (1992)
As Mother Superior, Maggie Smith provided the perfect foil to Whoopi Goldberg’s Deloris in this musical comedy. Her sternness and skepticism make for delightful moments of humor, and she plays the role with just the right balance of warmth and authority. She brings depth to a role that could’ve been one-dimensional, and her interactions with Deloris highlight Maggie’s gift for blending humor with empathy, making her a crucial part of what makes Sister Act so beloved.
12. The Secret Garden (1993)
In The Secret Garden, Maggie brought a mix of mystery and warmth to Mrs. Medlock, the strict head housekeeper. With her signature touch, she made Mrs. Medlock a layered character—strict but ultimately compassionate. Maggie manages to create a character who starts out as an obstacle but becomes an unlikely ally, giving us a portrait of a woman softened by her young charge. It’s the kind of quiet role that shines when handled with her subtlety and depth.
13. Downton Abbey (2010–2015, 2019, 2022)
As the indomitable Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, Maggie Smith brought unforgettable wit, wisdom, and that oh-so-sharp tongue to Downton Abbey. From her iconic quips to her moments of surprising vulnerability, Maggie infused Violet with layers of complexity that made her much more than just the family matriarch. She was both protective and brutally honest, and her expressions alone could command a scene. Whether delivering a withering one-liner or fighting for her family’s legacy, Violet was as strong-willed as she was loyal. Maggie’s portrayal brought gravity and humor to the show, and her dynamic with other characters—especially her verbal sparring matches with Isobel Crawley—kept viewers glued to their screens. It’s a performance that reminded us that age only adds richness to character, and in Maggie’s hands, Violet became a national treasure, beloved on both sides of the Atlantic.
Every performance of Maggie Smith’s gave us something remarkable, whether it was fierce wit, deep vulnerability, or sheer brilliance. Her legacy lives on in these roles, each one a testament to her skill and spirit. With characters that made us laugh, cry, and think, Maggie left us all richer for having shared her gifts.
