Dame Maggie Smith plays Lady Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, in the hit series "Downton Abbey." Here's a look at other key characters from the show.
Dame Maggie Smith plays Lady Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, in the hit series "Downton Abbey." Here's a look at other key characters from the show.
Carnival Films for Masterpiece/PBS
Widowed Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) has adjusted to life as a single mom and is juggling several new suitors.
Widowed Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) has adjusted to life as a single mom and is juggling several new suitors.
Nick Briggs/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2013 for MASTERPIECE
Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville, left) is trying to keep the estate in a financially sound place while adapting to the inevitable tide of progress. (Jim Carter, right, plays the dutiful Mr. Carson.)
Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville, left) is trying to keep the estate in a financially sound place while adapting to the inevitable tide of progress. (Jim Carter, right, plays the dutiful Mr. Carson.)
Joss Barratt/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) plays Lady Grantham, whose kind-heartedness is a counterpart to Robert's bluster.
Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) plays Lady Grantham, whose kind-heartedness is a counterpart to Robert's bluster.
Joss Barratt/Carnival Film & TelevisionLimited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
Mr. Carson must help the downstairs staff adjust to the constant changes being implemented around Downton.
Mr. Carson must help the downstairs staff adjust to the constant changes being implemented around Downton.
Gary Moyes/Carnival Films Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE
After dabbling at writing a newspaper column, star-crossed Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) may have finally found some happiness with her illegitimate young daughter.
After dabbling at writing a newspaper column, star-crossed Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) may have finally found some happiness with her illegitimate young daughter.
Nick Briggs/PBS/Masterpiece/AP
Isobel Crawley (Penelope Wilton) weathered the unexpected passing of her son Matthew and was surprised by a marriage proposal in Season 5.
Isobel Crawley (Penelope Wilton) weathered the unexpected passing of her son Matthew and was surprised by a marriage proposal in Season 5.
Giles Keyte/Carnival Films & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
The bumbling Molesley (Kevin Doyle) earned some respect with his unexpected resourcefulness late in Season 5. O'Brien (Siobhan Finneran), the conniving ladies' maid, has left the show.
The bumbling Molesley (Kevin Doyle) earned some respect with his unexpected resourcefulness late in Season 5. O'Brien (Siobhan Finneran), the conniving ladies' maid, has left the show.
Nick Wall/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
After befriending a fiery Socialist whose provocative comments enraged Lord Grantham, Tom Branson (Allen Leech) is now moving to Boston with his young daughter. Will he ever return to the show?
After befriending a fiery Socialist whose provocative comments enraged Lord Grantham, Tom Branson (Allen Leech) is now moving to Boston with his young daughter. Will he ever return to the show?
Nick Briggs/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2013 for MASTERPIECE
After a series of brushes with the law, the mysterious valet Mr. Bates (Brendan Coyle) is out of prison and living in wedded bliss to Anna.
After a series of brushes with the law, the mysterious valet Mr. Bates (Brendan Coyle) is out of prison and living in wedded bliss to Anna.
Joss Barratt/Carnival Film Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
Anna (Joanne Froggatt) worked to get Bates out of prison, then faced serious criminal charges of her own in Season 5.
Anna (Joanne Froggatt) worked to get Bates out of prison, then faced serious criminal charges of her own in Season 5.
Gary Moyes/Carnival Film & Television Limited for MASTERPIECE
Head cook Mrs. Patmore (Lesley Nicol, rear) has her hands full in the kitchen as always.
Head cook Mrs. Patmore (Lesley Nicol, rear) has her hands full in the kitchen as always.
Joss Barratt/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
Daisy (Sophie McShera) is gaining more responsibility in the kitchen while furthering her education and dreaming of bigger things.
Daisy (Sophie McShera) is gaining more responsibility in the kitchen while furthering her education and dreaming of bigger things.
Nick Briggs/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
After several seasons of partying, rebellious cousin Rose (Lily James) is ready to settle down.
After several seasons of partying, rebellious cousin Rose (Lily James) is ready to settle down.
Nick Wall/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2012 for MASTERPIECE
Shirley MacLaine makes occasional cameos as Cora's mother, Martha Levinson, visiting from America.
Shirley MacLaine makes occasional cameos as Cora's mother, Martha Levinson, visiting from America.
Nick Briggs/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2013 for MASTERPIECE