Maggie Smith Moments That Make Me Spit Out My Tea | Downton Abbey

"...oh, I'm sorry, I thought you were a waiter!"
We've combined some of The Dowager Countess' (Maggie Smith) finest quotes, for your enjoyment.
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The costume drama series, Downton Abbey, written and created by Oscar-winning writer Julian Fellowes, stars Academy Award-winner Maggie Smith as a Dowager Countess of an Edwardian English country house in 1912. The series portrays the lives of the Crawley family and the servants who work for them, in a time before the last vestige of a century’s old tradition were stripped away by World War and the modern age. The all-star cast also includes Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern.
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[@kerriethompson2073]

You left out my favorite saying where Lady Grantham says “What is a weekend?”

[@ri589]

Also the "Put that in your pipe and smoke it!" line. My favorite line of the series!

[@APG-fu6gk]

A phrase I have said since my retirement. 😊😊😊

[@annehunt787]

The “What is a weekend?” quote was so good that it got its own video clip!

[@ryancolby6079]

Agreed.

[@lewinny9598]

That's my favorite too

[@blugreen123]

My favorite moment is when Carlile tells the Dowager that she won't see him anymore, and she responds "Do you promise?" 😆

[@Nyx773]

That was quite the burn. 🔥 If I am in a similar situation, I hope to remember to use it.

[@ErinFindsHerWay]

I love that one too.

[@Shan_Dalamani]

I use that line every time some idiot on FB tells me they're not going to reply anymore.

[@fancy-on5hn]

Mine too! 😂

[@tangiiaenjoy]

She savage for that ! hahahahh

[@maureenstrang6130]

The combination of brilliant writing and Maggie Smith's delivery is unbeatable. She made that show.

[@SweetPollyPureblood]

Brilliant writing. 😂

[@jeffbledsoe4131]

​@@SweetPollyPureblood😊

[@arjanpelle]

@@SweetPollyPureblood Lol.

[@Phyllis1956]

I so agree. I watch this video over and over xx

[@aszechy]

"Does it ever get cold on the moral high ground?"

[@Beckford4000]

Maggie Smith was always at her best when she had the equally brilliant Penelope Wilton to play off. Wilton doesn't not get the attention, nor praise that she deserves for her brilliant performance as Smith's foil. Well done to both ladies though.

[@nellhirst9463]

Not quite sure if the Dowger Countress would approve but I am sure Maggie Smith wont mind a brief note : If you are in the UK and would like to see the wonderful Penelope Wilton live on stage - she is performing in a comedy called "Backstairs Billy" at the Duke of Yorks Theatre in the West end in London. Penelope plays Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and Luke Evans plays her real life butler William Tallon. The show runs Fri 27 Oct 2023 - Sat 27 Jan 2024.

[@callistrate1]

Yes, I quite agree. Here the brilliant Penelope Wilton, playing Isobel Crawley, is the indescriptible Faire Valoir of Maggie Smith's Dowager Violet Countess of Grantham, in this sharp, witty, sometimes tender boxing match between those two golden characters of Downton Abbey. A very salted but happy marriage. Thanks to the two of them. Ideal casting.

[@mordachiapeargut]

I remember Penelope Wilton playing Richard Briers wife in Ever decreasing circles, shes come a long way since then.

[@creativehorsequeen]

Robert's face after she talks about ringing for Nanny 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Alex-mp8ro]

Also his and Mary’s faces after she says to Sir Richard “Do you promise”?

[@pamlp04]

Also one of my favorites is when Edith says she might get into gardening and granny says “you can't be as desperate as that.”😂😂😂

[@sylviacarlson3561]

Oh! that's rich! you made my evening with that. Ha Ha Ha

[@patbiggam8138]

Those of us who survived Matthew's death thoroughly enjoyed this series. Maggie Smith's many quips were classic. The consummate actress. So very talented.

[@thommorden4342]

Maggie is such a champ of an actress and Carrie’s any role she leads in. And as downtown abbey shows, any role she doesn’t lead in

[@wandawarthog5724]

And it wasn’t easy surviving Matthews death. 😢😢😢😢😢

[@ErinFindsHerWay]

I love her evolution about her feelings on Tom Branson. In the last season, she leaves the letter with him when she goes to the south of France saying, “he’s the most sensible.”

[@12classics39]

Also, when she’s confronting Mary about her feelings for Henry, she mentions Tom’s input several times. “Tom believes you did it because you’re unhappy,” “Tom says Henry is in love with you.” At the start of the show, she NEVER would’ve cared so much about Tom’s opinion. That particular development is bigger than the distance between North America and Europe!

[@kyleenglot4221]

@@12classics39 I think the Dowager always admired Tom from the beginning. However she is a stickler for tradition in her family, and even when Tom and Sybill planned to run away, rather than berate and argue with them she asked whether they had a plan for them? She looks at things with logic and reason and asks people she loves if they have truly weighed the odds and challenges of pursuing a life changing decision. Violet admires intelligent and forward thinking people such as Tom and Mrs. Crawley although she's not one to outright let them know it because she enjoys challenging points of view as often as she can. When Mrs. Crawley tells her she wants to marry her new guy and would mean she'd move away, Violet got saddened by it because despite their bickering she sees Mrs. Crawley as a dear friend.

[@evrimpekaslan]

2:16 “Is this an instrument of communication or torture” 😂😂😂👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@jonirnmomba4130]

The scene with Ethel is hands down one of my favourites. The look they give when they discover, the quip about a costume for every occasion. It’s the greatest

[@deborahpinkey1264]

I liked the quip "It seems a pity to miss such a good pudding" even better. 🤣🤣🤣

[@elizabethdavie7874]

Downton Abbey was a brilliant series, the casting was spot on all the way through. Of course Maggie Smith pulled it all together. Maggie was from a generation that produced Joan Plowright, Judie Dench and Eileen Atkins, all absolutely the finest UK actress. I love them all and watch everything they are in.

[@Sir_Typesalot]

„Don’t be defeatist, dear! It’s very middle class.“

[@kristashafer93098]

How could you leave off the iconic “Do you promise?”???!!!

[@sunnyonion3461]

My daughter worked on the show for three series, and she says Maggie was just as witty in real life.

[@susanford2388]

gosh how wonderful.

[@heathermetz6576]

You daughter must have some fantastic stories. How marvelous.

[@nemanjadelevingne4108]

Tell you daughter I'm beyond jealous of her, amazing experience it was,surely. ❤

[@ripekashepherd5453]

She was the main reason why I watched Downton Abbey. Her delivery of her quips were brilliant. Loved her

[@the8thchurch461]

Indeed. No one comes even close to the dowager. She is Downtown Abbey. Without her there is no show. I believe that is why they dressed her more expensively than any other. Her clothes are certainly the stuff of fairy tale. I can't get over the red lacy dress complete with the equally matching red lacy hat. Or the outfit she wore at Isobel Crawley's house when they forced Tom to wear the morning coat for Matthew's wedding.

[@lyramaria1067]

Maggie Smith is a treasure ❤

[@denisefreitas6727]

Indeed! 😊

[@edugenopat]

The swivel chair scene in Matthew's office is one of the funniest moments of the entire show. 🤣

[@sandrataylor3723]

Loved Maggie Smith's character in this show. No one else could have done justice to that part like she did. When I first started watching it, I always looked forward to her "words of wisdom" and her "let down quotes". She always made my day. Thanks Maggie Smith!

[@janbarrett4544]

I loved when Mrs.Crawley was playing cards with Violet after tending to her illness,and when asked how long the game will continue and she answers "All night"...to which Violet says" Goodie goodie." I cracked up!

[@iamshotty]

They are all my favorite moments, however I really spat out my tea when The Dowager is on the phone and says "Hello? Shrimpy? Yes it's Aunt Violet.." that, combined with Lady Edith's priceless face as you can literally see her trying to hold back her laughter. Loved it 😆❤🇦🇺

[@PokhrajRoy.]

She’s absolutely fabulous! I love her comic timing. It’s a blend of posh vibes and naughtiness.

[@sylviacarlson3561]

she's always naughty in a such a classy way. These Hollywood types have a lot to learn from Maggie Smith.

[@the8thchurch461]

Maggie Smith = Downtown Abbey. Every time I see her, I love her more and more. She brings such family warmth, not to mention absolute beauty. Her costumes are the most gorgeous of them all. She redefines glamour and puts it where it belongs, with the older and more sophisticated, not the inexperienced youth with no clue about life. She makes me look forward to becoming an old lady now. I don't have to fear ending up wearing socks and slippers and whatever else.

[@suzanneh975]

"Wars have been fought with less fervor" 😂 She wasn't lying, Isabel was a bulldog.

[@irishkazolotse]

"I never argue, I explain" beats all others for me! Grand show, awesome characters Maggie Smith is impeccable 👌

[@tessamoland797]

I cant even say, she is a national treasure. She is an International treasure❤

[@JoyMartin-rk4pm]

I like the left out bit when she says "We can't have him assassinated............I suppose".

[@smilesfordays]

“HhhMmmhhmmm, but you’re better than nothing…” is one of my favorite lines delivered. It’s the absolute perfection of fussy pouty distain that really is so compelling and hilarious.

[@karphin1]

Maggie Smith is marvellous. She carried it off so well. Caustic, dry and scathing.

[@Anastashya]

I love when she laughs over her own quips “ha hah” 😂❤

[@EH23831]

My fave is: “You are a Lady, Edith- not Toad of Toad Hall” (When Edith wants to drive!)😂😂

[@sylviacarlson3561]

Oh! that's great! Thanks for having me remember that.

[@AnneBonaparte]

I smiled and chuckled throughout the beginning at then at "isn't it terribly damp" I lost my MIND

[@andrewmichaelfernandes9982]

Priceless talent. And the best argument against ageism.

[@the8thchurch461]

Ageism is just a trick to exploit the inexperienced young. Maggie is genius because of her age as well as her talent of course. Without her in that show, I doubt I would have bothered. She embodies family warmth, comfort and cosiness that makes me want to see her everyday.

[@adelaferreira4575]

She is as fabulous as she sounds ,what a legend Dame Maggie Smith !

[@mlk1965]

The telephone call - an acting masterclass!

[@ameliafarley9087]

The telephone scene is one of the only scenes where we actually see lady violet acting her age

[@wisteria3032]

can we talk about when she covers her eyes with the fan because the new lamps are too bright and what will ever be the use of electricity when we have candles? 😂

[@cameronperrier7622]

It's giving how do I rotate this PDF

[@gypsywoman9140]

I loved her reaction to a certain chair Also the telephone scene wasn't necessarily a reflection of her age so much as it was adapting to early technology that we now take for granted. Everything was just being introduced then, and the wealthy/upperclass were the first to have it. Remember Mrs. Patmore and Daisy's reactions to things like a refrigerator (I believe it was) and so forth? It was all new to them as well. I believe Carson also took some getting used to with the telephone and was quite adorable about it.

[@Lorianne-1111]

I love that scene so much. It reminds of when I had to teach my Nan how to use a cordless house phone. 🤣

[@zvezdoblyat]

​@@gypsywoman9140poor Matthew in that scene lmao, he looked as if it was his fault that he didn't tell her the chair spins

[@SweetPollyPureblood]

This was the single greatest decision the show made in casting Dame Maggie. The grand duchess of delivering a line. I love this woman.Been a fan for years. Long before Downton ever came along. One of my all-time faves is when Mrs. Crawley told her she'd have cut up little Charlie and made stew out of him to achieve the same end if she had to, the duchess' response and the expression on her face--half the response, imo--were priceless. If you haven't seen her as Jean Horton in Quartet, you're in for a treat. Fantastic cast and storyline. So many missing great lines. Some better than these.

[@odinfromcentr2]

"Is this an instrument of communication or torture?" Yes.

[@shaunig6716]

Maggie Smith is a national treasure!

[@tinawhynot8893]

She’s nothing short of brilliant!

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Quote of the Day: “Dislike it? I will lick the stamps myself.”

[@chrisshelp1172]

I absolutely loved Dame Maggie Smith in Downton Abbey! She always had me giggling with her quips! She was amazing! Definitely her best role to date. She may have been the Dowager Duchess, but it didn't stop her saying what she thought & felt. If course, being elderly does give you a little freedom to be blunt.

[@denisefreitas6727]

What a legend Maggie Smith is! 🙌

[@AleksandrCyplakov-zc3hy]

They left out my favorite one! "One cannot go to pieces at the death of every foreigner!"

[@lisabenjamin3955]

One of my favorites is " does it ever get cold up on the moral high ground?"

[@barbara1407]

Maggie Smith’s wardrobe was stunning in this series.

[@sarahsquires418]

Do you promise 😂 it’s an absolute classic. I love her!!!!!

[@dobazajr]

You missed: "I wouldn't know, I'm not familiar with the sensation."

[@projectalice8119]

My favorite is “Oh how you hate to be wrong.” Her response “I wouldn’t know. I’m not familiar with the sensation.” 😂🤣

[@SirQuantization]

Never seen Downton Abbey but Maggie is so good in these clips that I might just have to start. She is a glorious actress.

[@Shan_Dalamani]

The Dowager Countess Violet is my favorite character.

[@bunnyslippers191]

If you watch the series I really think you will not regret doing so. It's classic and the Dowager Lady Grantham steals every scene she's in.

[@lynnfisher3037]

Omg. Please watch it. NOTHING like it. Julian Fellowes is a creative genius and the ensemble cast is so good that you will completely forget its a play. Emotions run high so always have your Kleenex at the ready.

[@alicechin2705]

Oh my goodness. It's a must.

[@MrsCharityK]

It's a great show

[@shelteredsparrow2736]

As a writer I am awed at the skill used in these lines

[@elenivaporis2506]

"I don't argue, I explain" is my favorite.

[@malinhessedahl]

I love all seasons of Downton abby and Both movies of downton abby

[@mitch_the_-itch]

The last movie was a let down. Toms marriage seemed artificial and Marys husband was awol, lol. They should have written Mary to marry Charles Blake.

[@bubblewrapstargirl]

Nah, there's no Downton without Matthew

[@jc9552]

She is a legend. Enough said. ❤

[@stepheneastern7661]

3:36 well well, Minerva and Dolores on the same table

[@user-cf9qf8rl9m]

Absolutely the best line "what is a weekend" legend

[@sballantine8127]

How can you possibly leave out the time Violet found out that the Indian houseguest had died the night before? "Well, of course it had to be a foreigner. No Englishman would ever dream of dying in someone else's home, especially someone he didn't even know."

[@twobearshomestead]

Turkish houseguest.

[@m.layfette6249]

"I shall hold his hand on the radiator untill he does."

[@rumbarumba1]

🤣🤣

[@Tyleya]

2:06 How did Laura keep a straight face? They would have had to do so many takes because I would have broken character giggling.

[@12classics39]

At 2:13 and 2:19, she’s clearly suppressing laughter. 🤣

[@christinehales4222]

Oh ,im do sorry i thought you were a waiter 😆 Sheer brilliance

[@sylviacarlson3561]

that had me in stitches!!

[@dianepatching742]

Her character is priceless and thanks to Julian Fellows to writing her such class phrases and one liners! ❤️

[@rosemaryallen2128]

A well known English actor/comedian, who expanded into writing a somewhat unamusing book, once opined that Downton had an 'inferior script'. These glorious exchanges reveal Julian Fellowes' huge talent for penning repartee, not to mention showing that jealousy is endemic to the performance professions...

[@claudettecote3553]

She deserves every award she can get

[@12classics39]

2:06 The funniest scene of the entire show, hands down.

[@williamdeakyne2253]

Well how many Marquesses of Flintshire are there Is this an instrument of communication or torture😂😂 She is an absolute queen.

[@jonjames1986]

When I first watched this show, I loved "There's nothing simpler than avoiding people you don't like. Avoiding one's friends, that's the real test." She has the best lines

[@jan-olofharnvall8760]

A gem, an absolute gem, brilliantly played by Dame Smith 🥰

[@lynnealbert7792]

This was one of the best series I have ever watched. I rêver really appreciated her talent until I watched this series.

[@eleanorshakespeare8477]

Missed the one where she told Tom and Matthew that they both had no say in what he wore to the wedding 😂😂😂

[@bunnyslippers191]

Oh, yes, when it came to the wedding they were to do what the women told them to do and neither of them stood a chance of not following orders.

[@cameronperrier7622]

"Wars have been waged with less fervor" lmaoooooo

[@anthonylagano2371]

Such a great character played by an amazing actress . There’s a scene where she and Mrs Crawley are discussing child rearing and Maggie says she had the nanny bring her the children twice a day and Crawley sarcastically replies ….how tiring for you . 😎😎😎

[@callistrate1]

What about the first meeting between Isoble Crawley (Penelope Wilton) and and Lady Grantham (Maggie Smith): "What should we call each other" says Isobel; Lady Grantham's response is to die of laughter. The tone of the coming relationship is set... Great play!!

[@dguri]

Maggie Smith - No one else like her - the one and only!

[@Louisew1969]

The brilliant Maggie Smith and such a wonderful actress. Very quick and so sarky!! I love it ❤

[@nevafitzgerald2402]

Love love Maggie smith❤❤❤❤

[@Angie-GoneSoon]

I simply adore her!!

[@katherineh2633]

Maggie Smith is my favorite , i love her attitude ! 😊

[@m.layfette6249]

"Nobody is always friendly."

[@ctheflower7818]

Love Love Love Love Love Maggie Smith ❤️🤗❤️

[@howtubeable]

2:49 "In Essex? Isn't it terribly damp?"

[@callistrate1]

There is only one Maggie Smith and there she is: Dame Maggie Smith.

[@phoenixhome1017]

"Mary Mary, quite contrary"

[@bubblewrapstargirl]

I couldn't continue after Matthew died so most of these are new to me. That "I'm tempted to ring for Nanny" to Robert one was hilarious 😂

[@Opheim1986]

I recomend that you do. The 3 seasons and 2 movies you haven't seen is quite good, and season 4 starts with sorrow and grief but it does move on in a way that seems natural and not theatrical. But the ending is a bit to much all ends well for my taste.

[@the8thchurch461]

​@@Opheim1986It ends as it should have. Remember that Downtown Abbey borrowed from Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen based the less beautiful but brainy Elizabeth on herself apparently. In Downtown, that is lady Edith. They both end up marrying way better than their beautiful older sisters.

[@sylviacarlson3561]

Oh! you must. I know it was sad and I cried, but you'll miss out on so much if you don't continue my darling!

[@patchdavis35]

All of you mourning Matthew should remember that the actor wanted out of the series, hence the quick died-in-a-car-accident ending for his character.

[@AnnaMarieHamiltonWriter]

@@the8thchurch461 haha yes. Except the older sister in Pride and Prejudice, Jane Bennet, was the most sweet, gentle, and honest person ever and best friends with her younger sister Elizabeth ... NONE of which can honestly be said for Mary Crawley haha

[@mymonkeycoco7055]

She made that series what it is . IMO. I absolutely love everything she does. I’m watching,”Tea With The Dames “ now. I wish my acting career would be like that. Then again I started late and they want younger people now

[@gameXylinder]

5:22 That "mmh, yes but you're better than nothing" always has me in stitches 🤣

[@dublinjazz1]

How I envy anyone who's watching DA for the first time. One of the best series of all time.

[@lalitharavindran]

All credit to the writer James Fellows who created this amazing historical.

[@kdyooper28]

Missing my personal favorite seeing as how I’ll be 70……the Dowager mourning, “I’ll never have another indecent proposal!” Bummer 😂

[@alondralabute2310]

No wonder she's my favorite character. She's brilliant.

[@htodudenyc]

Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess is super but Diana Rigg as Lady Olenna Tyrell is magnificent

[@the8thchurch461]

No need to put down our dearest Dowager Countess lady Grantham. You can appreciate Diana Riggs without having to compare her.

[@htodudenyc]

@@the8thchurch461 im not LOVE both

[@sylviacarlson3561]

why do you say that? I remember her being in an episode or two, but I don't recall the scene/s. Tell us what spells out magnificent if you will.

[@sylviacarlson3561]

@@htodudenyc equally? It didn't come across like that dear.

[@mariontanner4946]

Maggie rocked this show entirely.

[@marychadburn9302]

She is my favourite she's a wonderful actress please when is Downton back on our screen🌹

[@dj_scratchvinyl6246]

2:15 This is my Grandma trying to use her smartphone 😂

[@terri348]

I love how she says it's easy to avoid acquaintences but hard to avoid "friends".

[@KarthiKeyan-zu2bx]

You have to take control of your feeling before they take control of you - The dowager countess of Grantham

[@deborahpinkey1264]

And we now know that Violet spoke from personal experience (with the French Marquis and then Count Kiraganam).

[@niakima7323]

“I wouldn’t know? I'm not familiar with the sensation.”

[@sarahberkner]

"Vulgarity is no substitute for wit" Preach.

[@kevq761]

She is just wonderful

[@johnwood551]

Great show and she had such great parts. You forgot the best line. What’s a weekend !

[@Anastashya]

Or “what’s a job” 😂

[@marlenesheffield8777]

My favorite character on DA!!! 💋❤️💯

[@suzanneh975]

I loved the scene following the brunch with Ethel where Mrs Hughes tells Mr Carson that even the Dowager countess stayed at the table. 😂😂😂

[@calarch78]

She had fun with that telephone bit.