Dame Maggie Smith obituary: A piercing presence on stage and screen

AlamyDame Maggie Smith played the formidable Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton AbbeyDame Maggie Smith, who has died at the age of 89, brought an incredible range of expression to her roles, winning high praise from directors and fellow actors alike.It was said of her that she never took a role lightly and would often be pacing around at rehearsals going over her lines while the rest of the cast was on a…