Maggie Smith’s “charming” British drama with stacked cast is on TV tonight

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Maggie Smith’s British drama The Lady in the Van is on TV tonight

In the 1970s, the movie is inspired by Alan Bennett’s memoir and centers around an unusual bond that forms between Bennett, portrayed by Alex Jennings, and Miss Shepherd, a homeless woman who resides in her van parked on Bennett’s property, played by Smith.

According to the plot summary, the movie recounts the true tale of Miss Shepherd, a somewhat peculiar woman of unknown background, who stayed temporarily but ended up living for fifteen years in playwright Alan Bennett’s London driveway with her broken-down van.

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Tonight, “The Lady in the Van” airs on BBC One at 11:40 PM. You’ll be able to find it on BBC iPlayer shortly following its broadcast. If you can’t wait, the movie is already available for streaming on Netflix.

Under the direction of Nicholas Hytner, the 2015 film boasts an impressive ensemble featuring Jim Broadbent, Claire Foy, Roger Allam, Dominic Cooper, and Frances de la Tour.

The movie has been well-received by critics, boasting an outstanding 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 152 reviews. Critics have described it as delightful, with the title “The Lady in the Van” receiving this accolade.

The Australian newspaper found the movie to be both delightful and entertaining yet somewhat lacking in depth, whereas The Guardian praised Adam Smith’s performance, noting that it was incredibly strong, having been refined from prior stage and radio adaptations.

In general terms, the majority of reviews commended Maggie Smith for her leading role, as The Times put it: “Smith brings a strong, smelly character to life convincingly in ‘The Lady in the Van’.

Smith cannot be resisted, a powerful figure who is both sensitive and strong, humble and courageous. She raises the bar in every role she takes on, as widely acknowledged, including by The Washington Post.

As a devoted admirer, I’d like to express my appreciation for the profound depth Maggie Smith brought to her role. Through her performance, an initially detestable bigot who leaves disorder in her path transforms into a pitiable tragic heroine, apparently more a victim than a villain. This insightful observation was made by The Independent.

The Wall Street Journal commented that the film is remarkably humorous, deeply emotional, and features hilariously rundown vehicles, serving as an excellent showcase for Maggie Smith’s extraordinary talents.

Tonight at 11:40 PM, “The Lady in the Van” is set to air on BBC One. You’ll be able to catch it on BBC iPlayer soon after it’s aired.

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2025-09-04 09:49