Drama at Downton Abbey as Dame Maggie Smith looks set to quit the show (MAIL ON LINE)

y GEORGINA LITTLEJOHN UPDATED: 06:18 EST, 7 March 2012

She is the formidable and witty matriarch who is beloved by the tens of millions of fans of Downton Abbey. But Dame Maggie Smith, who plays Dowager Countess of Grantham, has panicked the bosses of the popular period drama by not signing a new contract. Dame Maggie, 77, has yet to put pen to paper to secure her future on the show which is currently filming its third series.

In doubt: ITV bosses are believed to be panicking about the future of Downton Abbey as Dame Maggie Smith, who plays Dowager Grantham, has yet to sign a new contract Bosses are already looking ahead to the fourth and possibly fifth series and Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary, and Hugh Bonneville, who plays Earl Grantham, have reportedly already signed contracts guaranteeing they will be in the upcoming seasons.

They join Elizabeth McGovern who plays Cora, Countess of Grantham, Joanne Froggatt, who stars as housemaid Anna, and Brendan Coyle who plays valet John Bates, who have also said they are returning. But Dame Maggie, along with Dan Stevens, who plays Matthew Crawley, have yet to sign on the dotted line and, according to the Mirror, bosses are concerned that they may be ready to quit the show.

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