Maggie Smith’s “quietly magical” British drama is leaving UK streamer very soon

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The charming British film *The Lady in the Van*, featuring Maggie Smith and Roger Allam, will soon be removed from a UK streaming service. Here’s where you can watch it before it’s no longer available.

I recently saw this amazing film from 2015, and it’s based on a true story! It’s all about the playwright Alan Bennett – Alex Jennings plays him – and this really quirky, somewhat grumpy old woman named Mary Shepherd. She ended up living in his driveway for fifteen years, and the movie beautifully shows how they became friends. It’s based on Bennett’s own memoir, which makes it even more special!

This ’70s drama features a fantastic cast, including Frances de la Tour and Jim Broadbent. You can currently watch it on BBC iPlayer in the UK, but it will be removed on October 4th, so don’t miss it!

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The British drama, written by Bennett and directed by Nicholas Hytner, earned positive reviews when it first came out. Currently, 89% of critics on Rotten Tomatoes recommend it, based on 152 reviews.

Though seemingly gentle, the film *The Lady in the Van* is actually full of insightful and clever observations about life, much like its creator. *Little White Lies* described it as “quietly magical.”

According to *The Guardian*, Smith’s performance was exceptionally strong, building on his previous work in stage and radio. *The Wall Street Journal* praised it as both hilariously funny and deeply moving.

According to *The Washington Post*, Smith is a powerfully talented actress who brings depth and strength to every character she plays. They describe her as both vulnerable and courageous, and note her ability to consistently deliver exceptional performances.

You only have a week left to watch *The Lady in the Van* on BBC iPlayer. However, the mystery thriller *Before I Go to Sleep* is available for a longer time, having been added to the streaming service last week after it first aired on BBC One.

In this film, Nicole Kidman plays a woman with memory loss who begins to doubt her husband’s honesty, with Anne-Marie Duff also starring. Colin Firth plays the role of her husband.

The Lady in the Van is streaming on BBC iPlayer until 4 October.

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2025-09-27 20:19