Shepperton Studios has announced the naming of The Maggie Smith Stage, celebrating and honouring the “extraordinary contribution” of Dame Maggie Smith in the field of film, television and the performing arts.
In a career that spanned more than seven decades, Dame Maggie filmed several productions both at Shepperton and its sister studio, Pinewood, forging a longstanding association with the facilities. Her work there, which includes The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) and The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne (1987), respectively earned her the Best Actress Academy Award and BAFTA.
Recognising her achievements and celebrating her “remarkable legacy and recognises her enduring influence on generations of audiences and filmmakers”, the naming ceremony took place at a private event attended by close friends and family, including her sons, Toby Stephens and Christopher Larkin.
Commenting, Stephens and Larkin, said, “We are deeply touched by this recognition. Our mother would have been honoured to have her own stage at Shepperton, a place she had fond memories of and that means so much to the industry she dearly loved.”
A statement issued by the Pinewood group added, “Dame Maggie Smith is a national treasure and one of the finest actors of her generation. Her connection to both Shepperton and Pinewood Studios is deeply woven into our history, and we are honoured to recognise her contribution by naming The Maggie Smith Stage.”
