This week, Shepperton Studios paid tribute to Maggie Smith by naming a stage after her. The honor recognizes her incredible acting career, including many films shot at Shepperton and Pinewood Studios. And, you can enjoy one of those films tonight!
The 1993 film version of The Secret Garden, based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel, earned Smith a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actress. While Miriam Margolyes won for The Age of Innocence, it was another strong performance from Smith, continuing a string of excellent roles for the beloved actress.
You can now stream The Secret Garden on Prime Video! The movie, which was partially filmed at Pinewood Studios, has been added back to the service today, so you can enjoy it if you’re a subscriber.
When it was first published, the Boston Globe called The Secret Garden an “instant classic.” The story takes place in Yorkshire, England, in 1901 and follows 10-year-old Mary Lennox (played by Kate Maberly), who is an orphan.
After losing her parents, Mary, a girl with a quick temper, is sent from India to live with her uncle, Lord Archibald Craven (played by John Lynch), in the English countryside. Life begins to improve for Mary when she discovers a hidden garden at Misselthwaite Manor.
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Smith played the role of Mrs. Medlock, the housekeeper at Misselthwaite Manor, in the film, joining a cast that included Heydon Prowse, Laura Crossley, Irène Jacob, and Walter Sparrow.
Currently, the film The Secret Garden has a very positive 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Roger Ebert, a well-respected critic from the Chicago Sun-Times, praised it, saying it’s a beautiful, poetic, and mysterious film that feels like stepping into a separate world where you might find your purpose.
Both Empire Magazine and the Boston Globe have praised the drama. Empire highlighted the enchanting quality of the children’s unique behavior, calling it a beautiful illustration of nature’s power. The Boston Globe described the drama as deeply moving, complex, and impactful.
In a 2020 interview with Vulture, Kate Maberly, who played Mary in the film, shared her experiences working with Smith on The Secret Garden.
The actor described working with Maggie as a remarkable experience. “She just had this incredible presence,” he said. “When you were in a scene with her, you wanted to be your best. She was a brilliant actress, but also incredibly kind and lovely to be around, with a really playful sense of humour.”
I picked up a lot just by observing her, without even realizing it,” Maberly explained. “Because we filmed many of her scenes early on, I had the chance to really watch her – and when you’re young, you absorb everything around you. I paid attention to how she interacted with the cast and crew, and how she presented herself.
The Secret Garden is available to stream on Prime Video.
The latest issue of Living Legends, a beautifully illustrated 100-page tribute to Sir David Attenborough, is now available! You can find it at newsstands or purchase it online.
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2026-05-08 16:49