Maggie Smith, known for her roles in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, has died at the age of 89, according to her sons.

The actress died in hospital, said her children Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens.

In a statement they said: “She was an extremely private person and ended up with friends and family. She leaves behind two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.”

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and tireless kindness during her final days.”

“We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy during this time.”

Dame Maggie won an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1969 for “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” and Best Supporting Actress for “California Suite” in 1978.

More recently, she won a new generation of fans as Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, in Downton Abbey and as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films.

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