Since the question comes up every season, we think it’s important to let you know that Maggie Smith will return for Downton Abbey series 5 as Violet Crawley.

In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, executive producer Gareth Neame was asked about Maggie Smith’s involvement with the fifth series. The question frequently arises because she is the eldest member of the cast at age 79. It wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility for the actress to decide to retire in the near future.

“Maggie Smith will be in the show as long as she wants to do it,” Neame says. “She’ll be back this coming season. She’s a huge part of the show, and I think she enjoys doing it. I think it’s remarkable for someone who’s had such a long and illustrious career to be still delivering work of this caliber. One has also really got to make reference to the remarkable combination of Julian Fellowes and Maggie Smith. She’s almost like a muse to him.”

Indeed, Smith frequently has some of the more witty lines in Downton Abbey which are penned by Fellowes.

The show has already begun filming its fifth series in the U.K. Photos from the set surfaced last week (spoiler warning!) and depict Lady Mary with who may be her new, permanent man.

Unlike with past seasons, series 5 appears to include everyone who appeared in series 4. Between series’ 3 and 4, a small handful of cast members departed the show.

Downton Abbey series 5 is expected to premiere this September in the United Kingdom and then in January in the United States. English network ITV announced three new cast members earlier this month.

Thanks, THR.