While everyone awaits the premiere of "Downton Abbey," Maggie Smith will be busy with the premiere of her new movie "The Lady in the Van."

The "Downton Abbey" star's film opened at the Toronto Film Festival this past September and scored favorable reviews. As it gears up for its November U.K. release, the movie next plays at the Hamptons Film Festival and it is hoping to continue to create buzz.

Reviews have all stated that Smith is a wonder and she could likely be an Oscar contender especially since she has been out of the race for years.

Luckily Sony Pictures Classics acquired the film and has been a champion in the Best Actress race for the past two years. The company won Cate Blanchett her second Oscar for her work on "Blue Jasmine" and last year Sony won Julianne Moore the Best Actress award for her work on "Still Alice."

The company has also obtained nominations for Emmanuelle Riva ("Amour"), Carey Mulligan ("An Education"), Helen Mirren ("The Last Station"), Anne Hathaway ("Rachel Getting Married") and Melissa Leo ("Frozen River").

Smith has also been an Oscar darling for years as she has been nominated six times at the Academy Awards for her work in "Othello," "Travels with My Aunt," "Gosford Park" and "A Room with a View" and has won for her work on "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" and "California Suite."

The film will be released in December in time for an Oscar-qualifying round.

"The Lady in the Van" tells the story of a man who forms an unexpected bond with a transient woman living in her car. The movie also stars James Corden and Dominic Cooper.

Maggie Smith reprises her role as Dowager Countess of Grantham in the upcoming season of "Downton Abbey," which premieres in January on PBS.

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