In 2002 she starred in the film Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood alongside Sandra Bullock and Ellen Burstyn. That same year, Smith reunited with Dame Judi Dench for David Hare's stage play The Breath of Life. In 2003, Smith received her first Primetime Emmy Award in the Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie category for her role as Mrs. Emily Delahunty in the HBO television film My House in Umbria. She also received her 8th Golden Globe nomination for her performance in the television film. She also acted with Judi Dench in the film Ladies in Lavender (2004) directed by Charles Dance. She toured Australia in Alan Bennett's Talking Heads in 2004. In 2005, she starred as Grace Hawkins alongside Rowan Atkinson and Kristin Scott Thomas in the black comedy Keeping Mum. Smith also appeared in the British costume drama Becoming Jane (2007), a film that depicts the early life of Jane Austen, played by Anne Hathaway.
In 2002 she starred in the film Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood alongside Sandra Bullock and Ellen Burstyn That same year Smith reunited with Dame Judi Dench for David Hare's stage play The Breath of Life In 2003 Smith received her first Primetime Emmy Award in the Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie category for her role as Mrs Emily Delahunty in the HBO television film My House in Umbria She also received her 8th Golden Globe nomination for her performance in the television film She also acted with Judi Dench in the film Ladies in Lavender (2004) directed by Charles Dance She toured Australia in Alan Bennett's Talking Heads in 2004 In 2005 she starred as Grace Hawkins alongside Rowan Atkinson and Kristin Scott Thomas in the black comedy Keeping Mum Smith also appeared in the British costume drama Becoming Jane (2007) a film that depicts the early life of Jane Austen played by Anne Hathaway