The ex-Beverley High School pupil is a contender in the leading actress category of the British Academy of Film and Television Awards.
She was nominated for her role as the inspirational head teacher of a girls' school in the BBC's adaptation of South Riding.
The period drama, which was filmed across the region, was based on the novel by East Yorkshire author Winifred Holtby.
Anna, 32, has already won two Baftas for previous roles.
Her latest nomination has delighted former teachers who remember the actress from her schooldays at the girls' secondary in Norwood, where she was a pupil from 1988-95.
Former deputy head Angela Martinson said Anna's former teachers and school friends will be proud of her success.
Mrs Martinson said: "I just felt so proud of her when I saw her in South Riding. I just think she's wonderful.
"It's marvellous for a local girl to do so well."
Mrs Martinson, who is now head teacher at Newland School For Girls in Hull, said Anna has changed little since her schooldays in Beverley.
"I don't think she looks much different.
"When she was a pupil she was always full of energy and she loved performing. She was a lovely girl."
Retired Beverley High School teacher Helen Gallifant also has fond memories of the school's famous ex-pupil.
Mrs Gallifant said: "Anna was a real character, full of beans and a bit of a monkey at times. She was a lot of fun to be around and she worked hard."
Mrs Gallifant enjoyed seeing Anna star in South Riding. She said: "I thought she was very good.
"She's a very versatile girl and one of the things she was concerned about was she didn't want to be typecast in crinoline and bonnets.
"I think she's had a diverse range of roles in her career."
Mrs Gallifant said Anna returned to her old school for a presentation evening and has also met up with drama pupils in London.
Anna won the best actress award at the 2006 Baftas for her role in Bleak House, a BBC adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel.
She again won the best actress award in the 2009 Baftas for Channel 4's adaptation of Poppy Shakespeare.
She also won acclaim for her performances as Lyra in His Dark Materials at the Royal National Theatre, which saw her nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actress in 2005.
After leaving Beverley High School, Anna studied history at Liverpool University.
She went on to join the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
She added the name Maxwell to her surname when she joined Equity to distinguish her from another member with the same name.
The Baftas will be hosted by Graham Norton and shown on BBC 1 on Sunday, May 22.
Comments