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A Downton Abbey star has spoken candidly about Maggie Smith's absence from the final chapter of the beloved period drama series, reports OK! . In an exclusive interview with Reach Screen Time, Raquel Cassidy - recognised by viewers as lady's maid Phyllis Baxter - discussed the mood on set during filming of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale without the legendary actress, who brought the sharp-tongued Dowager Countess, Lady Violet Crawley, to life. The 57 year old performer revealed: "In terms of not having Maggie there, and I've heard other actors say this too at the read through, she kind of was there with us, strangely, because she'd always been there and she'd always been such a central part to it." Cassidy explained that Lady Violet's portrait displayed in Downton's magnificent entrance hall and mentions throughout the screenplay, including a witty remark about a weekend, ensured Smith's spirit remained powerfully present. She added: "So she's there both through wit and also the lack. We miss her but we are also honouring her memory with her humour and you feel that Mary takes it on." "Mary will take her on, her spirit on, and she'll live on both through the house and the people who loved her and are remembering her." Cassidy then pondered her own emotional journey of bidding farewell to Downton Abbey, having been involved with the production since series four after her arrival in 2013. "I'm not grieving about it all now. I did quite a bit of that before. I think I was quite surprised about how profoundly I felt about it," Cassidy admitted. She said one of the big moments was the script read-through for the final film, admitting: "It felt like my hair was standing on end every time anyone spoke." Adding: "It was portentous and Maggie wasn't there and we really understood how blessed we have been and what a privileged position we were in." Cassidy revealed she "dissolved into a real mess of tears" after she wrapped up filming. Adding: "I didn't expect that at all. I was in one of those moments, where you can't really speak." Before joining the ITV period drama phenomenon, Cassidy confessed she was already a "huge fan" and was keen to become part of Downton Abbey when the chance arose. Discussing the franchise drawing to a close, the Teachers and The Worst Witch actress said she wasn't shocked by Downton Abbey's lasting appeal compared to perhaps some of her fellow cast members, who'd been with the programme from the beginning, because she understood what it was like to "love" the series. Looking ahead, Cassidy now has multiple projects in development. Cassidy hinted that she'd experienced a "delicious flurry" of interest following the film's release, revealing she was getting "close" to one opportunity but concluded: "So far, the next right thing hasn't come along." Before mysteriously adding she wanted to tackle more period drama: "So, who knows what's around the corner?" Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is available to buy or rent now
