Toby Stephens recently opened up about the emotional and challenging period leading to the death of his iconic mother, Dame Maggie Smith, who passed away in September 2024. The actor, best known for his role as a Bond villain in Die Another Day, shared the heartbreaking truth behind his absence when his legendary mother passed away. Stephens explained that despite her declining health, Smith insisted she was “fine,” leading him to make the difficult decision to remain at work when she passed.

Maggie Smith’s career spanned over seven decades, captivating audiences with her sharp wit, commanding stage presence, and unparalleled acting talent. The two-time Academy Award winner was especially adored for her roles in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey. However, in the years leading up to her death, Smith had chosen to step away from the public eye, spending her time away from the spotlight as she dealt with various health challenges. By 2023, she openly discussed her ailing health, including her battle with Grave’s disease and a cancer diagnosis. In an interview with Today, she shared a somber reflection on her future: “I don’t know what the future holds, if anything. I don’t think there’s a lot of it, because of my age – there just isn’t. It’s all been. I’ve no idea what there will be.”

On September 27, 2024, Maggie Smith passed away at the age of 89. Her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, issued a statement expressing their devastation, calling her “extraordinary” and acknowledging the loss of a beloved mother and grandmother. The late actress was remembered as a “national treasure,” a term used by King Charles to describe her remarkable impact on British culture.

In an exclusive interview with The Times, Toby Stephens broke his silence regarding his mother’s final moments. He revealed that, at the time of her passing, he was in New Zealand filming the gothic horror movie Mārama. Smith had been in and out of the hospital, and despite her declining health, her condition would often fluctuate – some days she would improve, while other days would bring setbacks. As Stephens considered returning to the UK to be by her side, he called his mother, only to hear her reassuring words. “I’ve got this film,” he recalled telling her. “And before I could even ask her, she said, ‘Go do it. God, you don’t want to hang around here, I’m fine.’”

Shortly after their conversation, Smith’s condition worsened, and she could no longer communicate. The day before Stephens wrapped up filming Mārama, Smith passed away. Her son described his sorrow at being far away during her last moments, yet he found some comfort knowing that she was no longer aware. “I was so sad not to be with him,” he said, referring to his brother, Chris Larkin, who was with their mother at the time of her death. “She was no longer aware. And it allowed me some space to actually get my head around what had happened.”

Despite the difficult circumstances, Stephens found solace in the fact that he had spent extensive time with his mother in her final years. “I’d spent hours and days sitting with her at home and in hospital over the course of two years, and there was nothing I had left unsaid,” he reflected. The family had the opportunity to make peace and share meaningful moments, even if the pain of loss lingered.

Stephens also expressed gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of love and respect for his mother following her death. “The thing that really got me was – it’s very rare that you have actors that everyone likes. And she had spent her life not thinking of herself like that, which is very winning,” he said. Despite her legendary career and biting wit, Smith was known for her humility, never seeking praise or attention for herself. “If she had thought of herself like that, it would have been ghastly. But she wasn’t like that at all. She had self-knowledge, self-belief. Like most actors, though, she was riven with self-doubt,” Stephens said.

As the world continues to mourn the loss of Maggie Smith, her legacy remains as strong as ever. From her iconic roles in both film and theatre to her status as a beloved cultural figure, Smith’s contributions will continue to resonate. Her influence on the arts and her enduring presence in the hearts of those who admired her ensure that her light will never fade, even as the world faces the void left by her passing.

Toby Stephens, in his reflection on his mother’s life and career, reminds us that true greatness is not just measured by accolades, but by the love and respect earned from those who truly know and admire us. Maggie Smith’s legacy will undoubtedly endure, celebrated not only for her extraordinary talent but for the kindness, humility, and wisdom she imparted to all who were fortunate enough to know her.