Dominic West on ‘incredibly emotional’ retirement discussion with Maggie Smith

Dominic West (Matt Crossick/PA)

Dominic West has said it was “incredibly emotional” after Dame Maggie Smith told him the new Downton Abbey film would be her final acting job – only for her to later reveal she actually has no plans to retire.

The Wire actor joins the cast of the hit period drama for the second film, Downton Abbey: A New Era, portraying a silent film star appearing in a movie being shot at the stately home.