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Paul Giamatti Says Downton Abbey 3 Is 'Not the Same' Without Maggie Smith but She 'Still Feels Present'

Two-time Oscar nominee Paul Giamatti reprises his role as Harold Levinson in 'Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale,' which follows Dame Maggie Smith's death in September 2024. The actor tells PEOPLE that filming was 'not the same' without her, but added that she 'still feels present' in the final chapter of the beloved upstairs-downstairs franchise.

Giamatti's addition to the cast alongside other franchise newcomers Alessandro Nivola and Joely Richardson sadly coincides with the departure of Dame Maggie Smith, who played Violet Crawley in the series and first two movies before dying in September 2024. From Left: Paul Giamatti; and Hugh Bonneville with Michelle Dockery in 'Downton Abbey'.Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images; Ben Blackall / 2021 Focus Features, LLC The rest of the cast includes returning stars Phyllis Logan, Robert James-Collier, Joanne Froggatt, Allen Leech, Penelope Wilton, Lesley Nicol, Michael Fox, Raquel Cassidy, Brendan Coyle, Kevin Doyle, Harry Hadden-Paton, Sophie McShera and Douglas Reith.

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