Maggie Smith’s “terrific” final movie with “world-class” cast is now streaming on the BBC

by

I’m so excited to share that Maggie Smith’s last movie, The Miracle Club, is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer! Everyone’s been saying how genuinely moving and wonderful it is. It’s about three amazing women – Lily, played by Maggie Smith, along with Eileen (Kathy Bates) and Dolly (Agnes O’Casey) – who are all working-class ladies from Dublin and they unexpectedly win a trip to Lourdes. It’s a beautiful story and I can’t wait for everyone to see it!

Chrissie, the daughter of their late friend Maureen who has returned from the US, accompanies them on their trip. They haven’t seen her in a while.

Thaddeus O’Sullivan directed the film, which first shown at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2023. It was then released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland in October 2023.

The film The Miracle Club was the last movie Smith appeared in before she passed away in September 2024, at 89 years old.

O’Sullivan described working with Smith on the film, telling the Guardian that she’s very different from her Downton Abbey persona. While her character initially comes across as a bit difficult and demanding, the audience eventually discovers a much more sensitive, humble, and caring side to her.

What to Read Next

Producer Chris Curling praised the actress’s insightful approach, saying she quickly grasped the core of the story and her character’s relationships. He described her questions and observations about the script and scenes as remarkably perceptive, and said working with her on set was consistently inspiring.

Who’s in The Miracle Club?

  • Maggie Smith as Lily Fox
  • Laura Linney as Chrissie Ahearn
  • Kathy Bates as Eileen Dunne
  • Agnes O’Casey as Dolly Hennessy
  • Stephen Rea as Frank Dunne
  • Mark O’Halloran as Father Dermot Byrne
  • Mark McKenna as George Hennessy
  • Niall Buggy as Tommy Fox
  • Hazel Doupe as Cathy Dunne

What did the critics say about The Miracle Club?

The movie The Miracle Club has a 68% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics generally agree that while the story is somewhat predictable, the strong performances from the cast make it enjoyable and outweigh its familiar tropes.

In a review, The Australian praised the film’s cast, highlighting a particularly strong performance by Smith, who they described as reliably excellent and the standout actor.

The Miracle Club is a well-intentioned and admirable film, beautifully shot by John Conroy, who perfectly portrays the peaceful resilience of the Irish countryside. However, despite its strengths, the movie ultimately feels unsatisfying and leaves you wishing for a more complete story.

Both the Chicago Sun-Times and Variety praised the film’s actors, with the Sun-Times calling the cast “world-class” and Variety describing them as “terrific.”

According to The Independent, The Miracle Club avoids obvious clichés, but ultimately feels overly sentimental and lacks depth. The review suggests the film seems designed more for American audiences than Irish ones.

Where can I watch The Miracle Club?

If you’re interested in watching The Miracle Club, you can stream it for free on BBC iPlayer right now.

You can rent The Miracle Club from several streaming services: Sky Store and Rakuten TV for £3.49, and AppleTV and Prime Video for £4.99.

You can watch The Miracle Club as many times as you like if you purchase it from Prime Video, Apple TV, the Sky Store, or Rakuten TV. It costs £7.99 on all of these platforms.

Other Maggie Smith TV shows you can stream now

Enjoying The Miracle Club and want to see more shows starring Maggie Smith? You’re in luck – there are several available to stream now.

You can watch all six seasons of the historical drama Downton Abbey on ITVX for free. Maggie Smith played the memorable role of Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, in the series.

In 1999, Smith played the character Betsey Trotwood in the BBC’s television adaptation of Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield, and her performance received excellent reviews.

Like The Miracle Club, David Copperfield is streaming on BBC iPlayer free of charge.

The Miracle Club is streaming now on BBC iPlayer.

Okay, so I just got the latest issue of Living Legends, and it’s completely dedicated to Sir David Attenborough! It’s a beautiful 100-page, full-color tribute to the legend himself. You can grab a copy at most newsstands or order it online, and honestly, it’s a must-have if you’re a fan.

Read More

2026-05-12 12:50