NEW YORK -- Millions of people have watched Maggie Smith on Downton Abbey. But she's not one of them.

The 78-year-old actress, who portrays Lady Grantham in the popular PBS series, told 60 Minutes that she hasn't watched the drama because doing so would only make her agonize over her performance. She said she may watch it someday.

Smith told Steve Kroft, in an interview to be televised Sunday, that what she takes from the role is "the delight of acting."

She has three Oscars, two Emmys and a Tony Award, but said the Downton Abbey role has given her more public recognition than anything in her career.

-- The Associated Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 15, 2013 D2