The news of Maggie Smith’s death has been confirmed by her sons.
Legendary British actress Dame Maggie Smith, who won new fans in the 21st century as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films and the dowager Countess of Grantham in the hit ITV series Downton Abbey, has died aged 89.
The news was confirmed by her publicist and Smith’s family.
A statement from her sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin read: “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September.”
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days. We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”
Smith was a celebrated stage and screen presence, who won an Oscar for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1969 and a supporting actress Oscar for California Suite in 1978.
This story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.