Rumor Killer: Maggie Smith Not Leaving 'Downton Abbey'

For the foreseeable future, Dame Maggie Smith is going nowhere.

Despite reports otherwise, the esteemed British actress' representatives deny she's asked that "Downton Abbey" writers write her Dowager Countess Viola Grantham a graceful exit for the recent hit's coming third season, The New York Daily News reports this morning.

In kind, a Carnival Films production representative called the initial U.K. Daily Mail report "complete nonsense." PBS "Masterpiece Theater" spokespeople issued no statement concerning the rumors.

Initial reports had Smith, 77, telling producers she'd rather put more time and energy into stage and screen endeavors. Smith requesting an exit actually seemed additionally plausible, since she's experienced a few health scares the last few years, most recently including declining eyesight. Despite sometimes uncertain well-being, Smith - who co-starred in all eight of Warner Bros.' film adaptations of J.K. Rowling's seven-book "Harry Potter" anthology - can be seen in theaters this fall in the comedy "Quartet."

Additionally fueling the rumors, "Masterpiece Theater" executive producer Rebecca Eaton let slip earlier this month that a "major character" would meet his or her end this coming season, tentatively set to make its PBS debut in January 2013.

However, neither Smith nor co-star Dan Stevens have reportedly signed up past the third season.

"We never comment on future storylines but it's not true that [Smith] is leaving," said a Carnival Films spokesperson.