After over a month of rumours, leaks, and reactions it looks like the fears of Downton Abbey fans have been confirmed. Dame Maggie Smith has reportedly handed in her resignation from the British period drama.

The Mail Online posted the rumours, saying that Dame Maggie Smith (who plays the Dowager Countess) has agreed to stay on until this year’s Christmas special. However, that will be her last episode as she has reportedly handed in her resignation to show creator Julian Fellowes.

She has told writer Julian Fellowes she wants the third series to be her last, although he has persuaded her to do the Christmas special…

Fellowes has yet to complete the plot-line – but sources say he is preparing to write out the formidable Dowager Countess.

‘Maggie has asked Julian to write her character out,’ says a source. ‘She is filming until August and then wants to leave, going out on a high. She thinks that three series is enough and she wants to get back to the stage and big screen.’

The legitimacy of this news cannot be confirmed at the moment, as the Mail Online only lists a “source” as their evidence for the rumour. However, after all of the doubt and tension of the last few weeks, we wouldn’t be surprised if it’s confirmed later this week.

How do you feel about a Maggie Smith-less Downton Abbey?

UPDATE: A producer for the show says this information is not true.