Downton Abbey movie: Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess faces off against Imelda Staunton in savage world exclusive clip
DAME Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess is back and as feisty as ever in a world exclusive preview of the Downton Abbey movie.
The veteran actress’ character Violet Crawley, beloved by fans of the ITV series for her cutting putdowns, faces off against an old foe in the brand new clip.
Downton newcomer Imelda Staunton, best known as Hogwarts headmaster Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter series, plays her nemesis Lady Maud Bagshaw.
The fearsome duo have a frosty meeting in one of the rooms of the stately home, with the Dowager ominously inviting her to have “a little chat for later”.
Teeing up an explosive confrontation later in the film, Lady Maud confirms: “We’ll have it out, once and for all”.
The clip also introduces fans to Lady Bagshaw’s maid Lucy, played by Tuppence Middleton.
The Downton Abbey movie is set in 1927 and focuses on a visit by King George V and Queen Mary.
The show’s cast, including Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery, Brendan Coyle, Joanne Froggatt and Matthew Goode and Laura Carmichael, all return for the film.
It is released in cinemas on September 13.