Maggie Smith and Roger Allam’s excellent British drama has just been added to Netflix

The comedic-drama film titled “The Lady in the Van,” featuring the late Maggie Smith and Roger Allam, is now available on Netflix.

The movie, set in the 70s, follows a storyline inspired by Alan Bennett’s memoir, focusing on an unusual friendship between Bennett (portrayed by Alex Jennings) and Mary Shepherd (Smith), a homeless elderly woman who resided on Bennett’s driveway for the ensuing 15 years.

In the UK and Ireland, you can now stream Nicholas Hytner’s film featuring Allam as Bennett’s neighbor, joined by an impressive ensemble of British actors including Jim Broadbent and Claire Foy, on Netflix. The comedy-drama was added to the streaming platform on Sunday.

In 2015, the movie “The Lady in the Van,” written by Bennett, turned out to be a modest box office success. The film raked in more than $41 million globally, which was quite impressive considering its production cost was approximately $6 million.

Additionally, the movie resonated with critics, boasting a high approval rating of 89% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 152 reviews. Notably, the site praised Smith’s exceptional acting in their collective consensus.

The film was labeled as a delightfully entertaining experience by Variety, thanks to its central character who is impressively ornery. On the other hand, The Daily Telegraph referred to the role as an extravagant present for Smith, considering Mary to be an overwhelmingly powerful force of nature.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Will Smith was hailed as the movie’s main motivator. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal commended the film as a hilarious and heartrending platform showcasing Smith’s immense acting abilities.

Entertainment Weekly commented, “If the true Miss Shepherd were even a fraction as captivating as Smith’s representation, it’s clear why Bennett allowed her to remain.” Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times described the movie as “subtly composed” and “energetically acted.

89-year-old Smith, who sadly passed away in September, gave one of her last acting performances on screen in “Downton Abbey: A New Era,” the second movie from the series. It’s been reported that a forthcoming film, “The Grand Finale,” will honor the late actor by paying tribute to them.

The Lady in the Van is streaming on Netflix.

The debut print issue of Digital Spy’s “British Comedy Legends” magazine is available! Grab a copy from your local newsagent or buy it online, now for only £3.99.

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2025-06-03 01:19