A Dame in tramp's clothing! Maggie Smith dresses as homeless woman as she films Lady In The Van alongside James Corden
She's beloved for playing the imperious Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey.
But Dame Maggie Smith has swapped her extravagant frocks for bag lady chic in her new film, the big screen adaptation of Alan Bennett's autobiographical West End play Lady In The Van.
The 79-year-old screen icon looks almost unrecognisable in a series of scruffy coats, flat caps and tattered headscarves on the set of the new film, in which she reprises her role as eccentric pensioner Miss Shepherd, who lived on Bennett's driveway for 15 years.
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From riches to rags: Dame Maggie Smith looked unrecognisable in a long coat, cap and woolly scarf as she filmed scenes for upcoming comedy Lady In The Van
The Harry Potter star was joined by co-star Alex Jennings, who plays Bennett in the story based on the playwright's own experience of letting the woman live in her battered old van on his property in Camden, north London.
The flick, written by Bennett and directed by Nicholas Hytner, is their second collaboration since 2006's The History Boys.
The iconic film's breakout star James Corden was also spotted on the set filming a cameo role as a market stall vendor.
Cameo role: James Corden has agreed to return alongside The History Boys cast in Nicholas Hytner's new film
Eccentric tramp: Smith stars as Miss Shepherd, a homeless woman who lived on Bennett's driveway
Best of British: Alex Jennings is best known for playing Prince Charles in Helen Mirren-starring The Queen
West End revival: Maggie starred in the London version of The Lady In The Van in 2005
A different kind of role: Maggie has become used to more glamorous costumes of late thanks to her long-running part in Downton Abbey
James, 36, and most of his old co-stars have all signed on for small roles in the film, including Dominic Cooper, who plays an actor in one of Bennett’s plays.
Director Hytner said: 'My collaboration with Alan Bennett has been at the centre of my creative life and this true story is perhaps his most compelling and remarkable.
'Maggie Smith and Alex Jennings are two of Britain's greatest actors, and they...are old colleagues.
Perfect pair: Alex and Maggie have been called 'two of Britain's greatest actors' by director Nicholas Hytner
Mobile home: Miss Shepherd lived in a series of rusty old vans over the course of her stay on Bennett's drive
Welcome return: James and several of his History Boys co-stars including Russell Tovey, Samuel Anderson and Dominic Cooper are making a comeback
Good sport: Dominic Cooper recently told the Daily Mail the boys were doing 'a day's work for old times’ sake'
Out and about: The star was filming in the bustling streets of Camden all day
'And it gives me particular personal pleasure to be working again with Tom Rothman [TriStar Productions Chairman], my longest standing friend in the American film industry.'
Meanwhile, A-list actress Maggie was presented with a top honour by Queen Elizabeth II during a ceremony at Windsor Castle in Berkshire last week.
She was made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour in celebration of her six decades in the industry.
Bag lady chic: The Quartet star changed into a zip up hoodie and a bright orange skirt later on in the day
Top honour: The Harry Potter star was made a Companion of Honour last week
Future box office hit: TriStar Productions have partnered with BBC Films for the film
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