Maggie Smith’s final film, which was hailed as “sincere” and “terrific”, is streaming now on BBC iPlayer. Released in 2023, The Miracle Club follows three working-class women from Dublin – Lily (Smith), Eileen (Kathy Bates) and Dolly (Agnes O’Casey) – who win a pilgrimage to Lourdes.
They are joined on the journey by Chrissie (Laura Linney), the estranged daughter of their recently deceased friend Maureen, who returns from the US.
Directed by Thaddeus O’Sullivan, the film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2023 before its theatrical run in the UK and Ireland in October of the same year.
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The Miracle Club marked the final acting role of Smith before her death in September 2024 at the age of 89.
Speaking about working with Smith on the film, O’Sullivan told the Guardian: “She’s so un-Downton. Although [her] character does have a somewhat prickly and demanding nature… Eventually we see a deeply vulnerable, humble and compassionate woman.”
Producer Chris Curling added: “She has such an actor’s brain. The questions she asks, the comments she makes… about the screenplay as a whole and individual scenes got to the heart of the story and the relationship between her and the other two characters. Every day on the set with her was a revelation.”
Who’s in The Miracle Club?Maggie Smith as Lily FoxLaura Linney as Chrissie AhearnKathy Bates as Eileen DunneAgnes O’Casey as Dolly HennessyStephen Rea as Frank DunneMark O’Halloran as Father Dermot ByrneMark McKenna as George HennessyNiall Buggy as Tommy FoxHazel Doupe as Cathy Dunne 
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What did the critics say about The Miracle Club?
The Miracle Club holds a 68% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the critics’ consensus reading: “Thanks to a talented ensemble cast whose performances enhance a somewhat predictable story, The Miracle Club’s charms outnumber its clichés.”
In its review, The Australian said: “The film succeeds mainly because of a flawless ensemble, among whom viewers can put their faith in the eternally dependable Smith stealing the movie.”
Observer added: “The Miracle Club is a sincere and meritorious effort, enhanced by John Conroy’s beatific cinematography that vividly captures the quiet stoicism of rural Ireland, but it leaves you empty, undernourished, and wanting more.”
The Chicago Sun-Times said the film had a “world-class” cast, while Variety also hailed the “terrific” actors involved.
However, The Independent thought: “While there’s nothing outrightly stereotypical here, The Miracle Club suffers from being both sentimental and superficial. It’s exactly the sort of film you suspect was made to cater to American, rather than Irish tastes.”
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Where can I watch The Miracle Club?
For those keen to see which side of the fence they’ll fall when it comes to The Miracle Club, it is available to stream for free right now on BBC iPlayer.
You can also rent The Miracle Club for £3.49 from the Sky Store and Rakuten TV, and for £4.99 from AppleTV and Prime Video.
The Miracle Club can be watched an unlimited number of times if bought from Prime Video, AppleTV, the Sky Store, and Rakuten TV, which all price the film at £7.99.
Other Maggie Smith TV shows you can stream now 
@downtonabbey_official//Instagram
If The Miracle Club has you hankering to watch more TV shows with lead icon Maggie Smith, you’re in luck, with several available to stream right now.
All six seasons of period drama Downton Abbey can also be streamed for free on ITVX, in which Smith starred as Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham.
In 1999, Smith starred as Betsey Trotwood in the BBC mini-series adaptation of Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield, a role that garnered her several rave reviews.
Like The Miracle Club, David Copperfield is streaming on BBC iPlayer free of charge.
The Miracle Club is streaming now on BBC iPlayer.
The new edition of Living Legends, a 100-page all-colour celebration of Sir David Attenborough, is here! Buy Sir David Attenborough in newsagents or online.
Freelance Reporter, Digital Spy
Rebecca is a freelance journalist who specializes in TV and film. After beginning her career as a digital entertainment journalist for the Express & Star and Shropshire Star, she embarked on a freelance career in 2021 contributing to the likes of Metro UK, The Sun, WhatCulture, Screen Rant, FilmHounds Magazine and more.
Her particular field of interest is horror cinema and she has written for genre publications such as Ghouls Magazine and Moving Pictures Film Club.
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