Downton Abbey’s Nathalie Baye dies aged 77 after dementia

The French actress’ family confirmed that she died at her home in Paris on Friday (April 17).

Nathalie starred in the 2022 film Downton Abbey: A New Era alongside the likes of Dame Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery and Elizabeth McGovern who all reprised their roles.

Baye joined the cast with actors Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock and Dominic West.

Nathalie Baye dies ages 77 after battle with dementia

In a career that spanned 50 years, Baye starred in more than 80 films, The Sun reports.

During her career, she was nominated 10 times for the Best Actress award at the Cesar Awards, known as the French equivalent to the Oscars.

She won four of the awards.

The actress was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia last year.

Lewy body dementia is “one of the most common types of dementia”, according to the NHS.

It causes hallucinations, confusion or sleepiness and fainting spells, alongside other symptoms.

President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, was among those paying tribute to Nathalie.

He posted on X, which translated his message, saying: “We loved Nathalie Baye so much.

“She accompanied, through her voice, her smiles, and her reserve, these last decades of French cinema, from François Truffaut to Tonie Marshall.

“An actress with whom we loved, dreamed, and grew up.

“We think of her family and her loved ones.”

Nathalie also starred in Call My Agent!, The Spin, The Guardians and more.