"Downton Abbey: A New Era" Is Here, So Here Are 21 Brutally Hilarious Lines From The Dowager Countess
3 min read
If you can believe it, it's been three years since the release of the first Downton Abbey film. And now, the Crawley family and the staff of Downton have returned to the big screen for Downton Abbey: A New Era.
Jaap Buitendijk / ??Focus Features / courtesy Everett Collection
If you're a fan of the show (and first film), you'll definitely want to check out Downton Abbey: A New Era. It's like a warm, comforting hug from an old friend, and let's be honest, who DOESN'T need that right now?! As always, the costumes and production design are GORGEOUS, and there's a lot of wonderful wish fulfillment for so many characters. Basically, you'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll wish you could live in that world forever.
Ben Blackall /? Focus Features / Courtesy Everett Collection
Of course, one of the best parts of Downton Abbey is the Dowager Countess herself, Violet Crawley — played by the legendary Maggie Smith.
Pbs / ??PBS/Courtesy Everett Collection
So, in celebration of the latest addition to the Downton legacy, here's an appreciation of some of Violet Crawley's best, funniest, and most brutal moments over the years...
1.Like the time the Dowager gave a cold, but honest, reception to her potential, future in-law:
ITV
Advertisement
Advertisement
2.And the time she said this HIGHLY relatable line about friends:
ITV
3.The time she made this perfect set up for a joke:
ITV
4.The time she felt she wasn't clear enough:
ITV
5.The time Lord Grantham tried out a new fashion trend (black tie) and the Dowager threw this shade at him:
ITV
Advertisement
Advertisement
6.The time she threw this roadblock down:
ITV
7.The time she laid down this fact:
ITV
8.The time she took (another) jab at enemy-to-best-friend Mrs. Crawley:
ITV
9.The time she questioned technology:
ITV
Advertisement
Advertisement
10.The time she wanted to make it clear she wasn't a romantic:
ITV
11.The time she wanted to clear the air about her allegedly meddling with Mary and Matthew's romance:
ITV
12.The time she tried to give Edith advice after she was left at the altar:
ITV
13.And then proceeded to get frustrated with Edith a few seconds later:
ITV
Advertisement
Advertisement
14.The time she got brutally honest about handling the very arrogant Dr. Philip Tapsell:
ITV
15.The time she took this lil' jab at sweet Mr. Molesley's dancing:
ITV
16.The time she agreed with Branson about illogical British aristocracy titles:
ITV
17.The time she sat in a swivel chair, nearly fell off, and was still able to make a joke about it:
ITV
Advertisement
Advertisement
18.The time she made sure to remind Lord Grantham who's the mother and who's the child (when he was acting up):
ITV
19.The time she took YET ANOTHER jab at Mrs. Crawley:
ITV
20.The time she actually supported Mrs. Crawley (and also gave more sage advice):
ITV
21.And finally, the time she said this ICONIC line:
ITV
Advertisement
Advertisement