Maggie Smith's Downton Abbey comments were misinterpreted, says publicist

Predictions of doom for the Dowager Countess of Grantham may be premature.

• Maggie Smith to leave Downton Abbey, hints series will end after season 6

Downton Abbeypublicists say Maggie Smith was misinterpreted in remarks widely reported as suggesting she will leave the TV show after its sixth season later this year.

Smith told the Sunday Times newspaper that "I can't see how (Downton) could go on."

Speaking of her character, she added: "I mean, I certainly can't keep going. To my knowledge, I must be 110 by now."

Milk Publicity said Tuesday that Smith spoke lightheartedly, and "has always been on the record as saying she'll be with the show for as long as the show runs."

Producers haven't announced whether the show will have a seventh season. Creator Julian Fellowes is due to script a U.S. period drama, The Gilded Age.