Maggie Smith once said starring in the ‘Harry Potter’ films was not ‘satisfying’ for her as an actor

Maggie Smith played Professor McGonagall for all eight “Harry Potter” movies from 2001 to 2011.

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Maggie Smith once said that starring in the “Harry Potter” films was not “satisfying” for her.
“I didn’t really feel I was acting in those things,” the late star said in a 2019 interview.
She added that she and Alan Rickman used to complain that their work on the films was mainly reaction shots.

Dame Maggie Smith is being remembered for her portrayal of the no-nonsense Professor McGonagall following her death at age 89.

However, the British actor once said her work on the “Harry Potter” films was not “satisfying” for her as an actor. 

In 2019, the two-time Oscar winner told the Evening Standard that while she appreciated the opportunity to be cast in the beloved franchise, it didn’t challenge her creatively. 

“I am deeply grateful for the work in ‘Potter’ and indeed ‘Downton,’ but it wasn’t what you’d call satisfying,” she said, referring also to “Downton Abbey.”

“I didn’t really feel I was acting in those things,” she said.

She added that she and her costar Alan Rickman, who played Professor Severus Snape, would always complain about how most of their scenes were made up of reaction shots.

The late actor said the most pleasurable aspect of being a part of the wizarding world was seeing her grandchildren’s reactions.

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Smith was also known for her role as Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, in the period drama “Downton Abbey.”

She won two Academy Awards during her career — a best actress win for her performance in 1969’s “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” and best supporting actress for her role in 1978’s “California Suite.”

She also won several Emmy awards for her role in “Downton Abbey.”

Smith’s family confirmed her death to Business Insider in a statement sent by her agent.

“She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September,” the statement said. “An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end.”