Friday 1 July 2022 10:45 AM Maggie Smith, 87, enjoys one of the most successful years of her career trends now Dame Maggie Smith has enjoyed one of the most successful years of her career after making more than £2.3 million in 2021. Newly filed accounts reveal that assets in her acting firm, Dame Margret Cross Productions, increased to £10.2 million including £9.8 million in cash reserves. The Oscar winner made £1.6 million in profit through the business after allowing for bills of £1.6 million, with £8.7 million being retained for Dame Maggie. Impressive: Maggie Smith, 87, has enjoyed one of the most successful years of her career after raking in more than £2.3million The actress, most recently starred in Downton Abbey: A New Era, the second installment of the hugely popular 2019 Downton Abbey film, which came as a spin off from the ITV series. Dame Maggie has played the role of Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, throughout the entirety of the historical drama franchise. Filming for the sequel took place in 2021 with the motion picture premiering in May this year. On screen: The actress recently starred in Downton Abbey: A New Era, the second installment of the hugely popular 2019 film (Pictured alongside Penelope Wilton as Isobel Merton, left) Fans were eagerly awaiting the latest Downton Abbey instalment, which saw the Crawley family head to the South of France to uncover a mystery at a villa bestowed to Dowager Countess of Grantham, Violet Crawley, while an ambitious director planned to make a film at Downton. The trailer shows the Crawley family heading to the South of France to uncover a mystery at a villa bestowed to Dowager Countess of Grantham, Violet Crawley, while an ambitious director plans to make a film at Downton. It opens as fan favourite Violet says: 'I've come into the possession of villa in the South of France.' Long career: Dame Maggie has played the role of Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, throughout the entirety of the historical drama franchise She continues: 'Years ago, before you were born. I met a man.' It then transpires Dowager Grantham and her lover 'spent a few days together and he gave her a house'. The upcoming sequel saw the return of the much-loved cast including Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery and Penelope Wilton. Latest instalment: Filming for the sequel took place in 2021 with the motion picture premiering in May this year (The cast of Downton Abbey: A New Era, pictured on set in 2021) It comes as Dame Maggie's co-star, Hugh revealed that he thought her character on Downton Abbey was 'going to die between films' while opening up about her return to the big screen. The actor, who plays Robert Crawley in the period drama and the films, appeared on Magic Radio Breakfast to chat about the new film release. Hugh, 59, also spoke about rumours that this could be Maggie's last acting hurrah - admitting she says she's 'done' every-time but always comes back. Opening up: It comes as Dame Maggie's co-star, Hugh Bonneville, 59, revealed that he thought her character on Downton Abbey was 'going to die between films' During the chat, Hugh explained: 'I thought she was going to die between films frankly, but there she is, pops up again like a bad penny and being absolutely spot on as usual' The actor also jested that the star has 'all the best lines', as he continued: 'Every iteration of the show is the ‘that’s the last time, that’s it I’m done’ and there she is again. 'She is on fantastic form in this and as usual has all the best lines and we don’t begrudge her those.' Maggie previously announced that the sixth season of Downton Abbey, which ended up being the last season of the show all together, would be her last - but returned for the big screen sequel this year. Back again: Maggie previously announced that the sixth season of Downton Abbey, which ended up being the last season of the show all together, would be her last - but returned for the big screen sequel this year (pictured in 2019) All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility