“I’m a woman, I can be as annoying as I want.” Maggie Smith in ten iconic lines from Downton Abbey

More than lines, real fists. Every time Violet Crowley, Violet Crowley appears Downton Abbeywe followed his little sentences because they were murderous, not so much genius, turning his interlocutors into poor and dumb creatures with wide eyes. In this 6-season saga that chronicled the heydays and travails of an aristocratic family and their servants, he was one of the most outspoken characters. King bearing, feathered hats, elegant cane movements and sideways glances. Maggie Smith knew how to give just the right amount of aristocratic disdain, intelligence, but also ill-disguised warmth to this extraordinary character who constantly played with the boundaries of convenience and freedom. The British actress died on September 27 at the age of 89. But some of his lines will never be forgotten.

– I have many friends that I don’t like.

– If I unfriended everyone who said bad things about me, my address book would be empty.

– I know several couples who are perfectly happy without speaking to each other for years.

– A woman of my age knows better how to face reality than most men.

– In my time, a lady was incapable of feeling the slightest physical attraction until she received an order from her mother.

– I am a woman, I can annoy as much as I want.

– An aristocrat who defends reform is like a turkey who defends Christmas.

– This habit of constantly thinking is highly overrated. I consider him responsible for the war. Before 1914, nobody ever thought about anything.

– No guests should be admitted without their departure date decided.

– Your secret is safe with me. I couldn’t even hear you.