'Downton Abbey' producer Gareth Neame has revealed that Dame Maggie Smith's decision to quit was the reason behind the end of popular British show.
In a recent interview, the 48-year-old producer said the ITV show didn't return for another season because the 80-year-old actress, who plays Dowager Countess Lady Violet Crawley, wouldn't be starring in it, News.com.au reports.
He added, "We easily could have gone for a seventh season, but if I'd have said 'We haven't got Maggie' it would have been a shadow of itself."
Neame also pointed out that they all feel blessed and nobody regrets its ending.
According to a source, the drama series is the highest rating UK drama of the past decade across any channel, with an average of 11 million viewers over the course of the five series, including Christmas specials.
