In a conversation with TVLine, Downton executive producer Gareth Neame opened up about a tribute that will be featured in the untitled A New Era sequel when it hits theaters in September 2025. The film was always set to include a tribute to Smith’s Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, following her death at the end of the previous project.

The film's executive producer said Smith's death gave an "added poignancy to a story that we would have planned anyway"

Downton Abbey 3 will pay homage to the “end of an era” with the loss of the Dowager Countess, which has now taken on greater significance following the death of Oscar-winning actress Maggie Smith, executive producer Gareth Neame said.

The fact that Dame Maggie herself has now passed away since that time, I do think, has given a real added poignancy to a story that we would have planned anyway,” said exec producer Gareth