In her long and storied career, Dame Maggie Smith has played everything from a Mother Superior to a socialite. She’s won two Oscars, two Emmys, and two Golden Globes, among other honors and distinctions. Until recently, many younger viewers probably knew her best for her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter movies—that is, until she donned the role of the Dowager Countess Crawley in the series that’s made PBS cool for a whole new generation, Downton Abbey—for which she’s nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category. Win or lose, she’s an inspirational example of aging gracefully and remaining relevant—take note, young actors: This is how it’s done.