Dame Maggie Smith has admitted that her iconic roles in Downton Abbey and Harry Potter weren't "satisfying" to her.

Speaking in the new issue of ES Magazine, the star discussed her beginnings in acting, revealing she wasn't sure why she chose it as a career path.

Maggie as Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter Warner Bros.

"Honest to God, I have no idea where the urge came from," Smith said. "It was such a ghastly time and we didn’t go to the theatre.

"I got into terrible trouble once because the neighbours took me to the cinema on a Sunday. But I had a wonderful teacher, Dorothy Bartholomew, who also taught Miriam Margolyes, and who encouraged me."



Going on to speak about her famous roles as Downton's Dowager Countess and Potter's Professor McGonagall, Smith said: "I am deeply grateful for the work in Potter and indeed Downton but it wasn’t what you’d call satisfying.

"I didn't really feel I was acting in those things."

ES Magazine

Meanwhile, Downton Abbey producer Gareth Neame has confirmed that the wheels are in motion for another film.

"We're working on what the story is, and when we might be able to make it," he said. "But it's the same as the first time around: We have to try to get everyone back together again. And that was very challenging."

The full interview with Maggie Smith appears in this week's issue of ES Magazine, which is out today (Thursday, December 5).

Downton Abbey The Movie is available to pre-order on digital , DVD and Blu-ray now.

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