BAFTA TV Awards Face Backlash for Omitting Dame Maggie Smith from In Memoriam

The 2025 BAFTA TV Awards faced backlash from fans after the In Memoriam segment omitted the late Dame Maggie Smith, a revered British actress known for iconic TV roles such as Downton Abbey and Harry Potter. Viewers expressed their outrage on social media, calling the exclusion a significant oversight and a snub, especially as Dame Joan Plowright was also left out. However, the omission was due to the fact that both actresses had already been honored in the BAFTA Film Awards In Memoriam segment earlier in the year, as the TV Awards typically honor actors more closely associated with television while the Film Awards focus on those better known for film and theatre roles. The tributes during the TV ceremony included other notable figures such as Michael Moseley, Roberta Taylor, and Henry Kelly. Despite the explanation, many fans remained upset, emphasizing the significant television contributions of Smith and Plowright. Smith's family had announced her peaceful passing in September 2024, and she was widely celebrated for her extensive and versatile acting career.