Boston Fans: See Dame Maggie Smith’s Costumes at “Downton Abbey: The Exhibition”

There’s only one criticism of Dame Maggie Smith’s performance as Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter movies, and it’s that she’s not in them nearly enough. The head of Gryffindor House gets precious few minutes of screen time, but the Dowager Countess Violet Crawley, Smith’s other well-known role, appears in a whopping 52 episodes of the hit series Downton Abbey. Fans of the show and of Smith herself will soon be able to see the countess’s costumes and so much more at Downton Abbey: The Exhibition when it opens in Boston this summer.

The exhibition celebrates what is perhaps PBS’s most beloved series, which ran for six seasons, and film adaptation, which will premiere this fall along with the exhibition. It offers never-before-seen details from the show, including more than 50 costumes and a glimpse into the locations and history of the era. It will also feature exclusive footage and a behind-the-scenes look at the long-running period drama. Gareth Neame, the executive chairman of Carnival Films and executive producer of Downton Abbey, expressed pride in the show and the immersive experience they’ve created for fans:

We are thrilled by the reception our exhibition has received in the U.S. and we are particularly excited to bring Downton Abbey to Boston, the home of PBS, our wonderful partners on this series. It feels particularly fitting to be in Boston, where we know we have a loyal and very enthusiastic fanbase [sic], during the opening of Downton Abbey: The Movie in September.

After a run in New York City and West Palm Beach, Florida, Downton Abbey: The Exhibition will open at the Castle at Park Plaza in Boston on June 15 and remain until September 29. Tickets for this run are limited, so be sure to get yours before they’re gone!