Dame Maggie Smith, 87, is joined by Kathy Bates, 75, for a graveyard scene as filming for Irish drama The Miracle Club begins in Bray

By LAURA PARKIN, SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER

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Dame Maggie Smith was spotted with her co-star Kathy Bates as filming for their latest motion picture began in Ireland on Tuesday. 

The Downton Abbey star, 87, donned an all-black ensemble for the emotional graveyard scenes in the coastal town of Bray. 

Maggie wore a longline wool coat with a beret hat and gloves as she was joined by members of the crew as they made their way past the headstones. 

On set! Dame Maggie Smith, 87, was joined by Kathy Bates, 75, for a graveyard scene as filming for The Miracle Club began in Ireland on Tuesday

On set! Dame Maggie Smith, 87, was joined by Kathy Bates, 75, for a graveyard scene as filming for The Miracle Club began in Ireland on Tuesday

Kathy, 75, mirrored Maggie as she also sported in an all black ensemble but she layered a padded jacket over the top of her costume to keep warm in between takes.

She was joined by actor Mark O'Halloran who took on the role of the priest, dressed in purple robes with a gold cross emblazoned on his chest. 

The movie follows the story of three Irish working-class women from Dublin who take a pilgrimage to Lourdes in France where they discover their own personal miracles. 

Taking a break: Kathy mirrored Maggie as she also sported an all black ensemble but layered  a padded jacket over the top to keep warm in between takes

Taking a break: Kathy mirrored Maggie as she also sported an all black ensemble but layered  a padded jacket over the top to keep warm in between takes

Co-star: She was joined by actor Mark O'Halloran who took on the role of the priest, dressed in purple robes with a gold cross emblazoned on his chest

Co-star: She was joined by actor Mark O'Halloran who took on the role of the priest, dressed in purple robes with a gold cross emblazoned on his chest

Production company Embankment Films detailed: 'There’s just one tantalising dream for the women of Ballyfermot to taste freedom and escape the gauntlet of domestic life: to win a pilgrimage to the sacred French town of Lourdes, and all for free.

And with a little benevolent interference from their local community and a sparkly-eyed priest, close friends Lily, Eileen, and Dolly get their ticket of a lifetime after the riotous church talent competition.

Having never even left Dublin – let alone Ireland – the journey provides our heroines the chance to let their hair down, celebrate life and delight in some sweet independence.'

Plot: The movie follows the story of three Irish working-class women from Dublin who take a pilgrimage to Lourdes in France where they discover their own personal miracles

Plot: The movie follows the story of three Irish working-class women from Dublin who take a pilgrimage to Lourdes in France where they discover their own personal miracles

Coming soon: Speaking to Ryan Tubridy on the Late Late Show last year, Kathy said that the cast were 'very excited' to begin filming the drama

Coming soon: Speaking to Ryan Tubridy on the Late Late Show last year, Kathy said that the cast were 'very excited' to begin filming the drama

The Miracle Club is based on an original screenplay by Jimmy Smallhorne, Timothy Prager, and Josh Maurer.

Speaking to Ryan Tubridy on the Late Late Show last year, Kathy said that the cast were 'very excited' to begin filming the drama. 

She added: 'The only catch is we have to learn working-class Dublin circa 1970s accents. So, that's going to be quite difficult. 

'I suspect there's going to be plenty of Irish actresses with their knives out, waiting for us to make a misstep.'

I've been watching movies like The Commitments and a few of them that they've sent to me to get an idea. So, it's like, "Oh Lord, I've really got a long way to go!" But, I'm very excited about it.

Hard work: 'The only catch is we have to learn working-class Dublin circa 1970s accents. So, that's going to be quite difficult'

Hard work: 'The only catch is we have to learn working-class Dublin circa 1970s accents. So, that's going to be quite difficult'

Downton AbbeyMaggie Smith

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