Down received further recognition for her performances in the films The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976), A Little Night Music (1977), The First Great Train Robbery (1979), Hanover Street (1979), Rough Cut (1980), Sphinx (1981) and Nomads (1986).

On television, she played the leading roles in The One and Only Phyllis Dixey (1978), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1982), Murder Is Easy (1982), and most notably starred as Madeline Fabray in one of the highest rated miniseries in TV history North and South (1985–86), for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in 1986.

In 1972, Down starred in the historical drama film Pope Joan opposite Liv Ullmann and Olivia de Havilland.

In 1973, Down was cast as Georgina Worsley in the Emmy Award-winning British period drama series, Upstairs, Downstairs.

[12][13] Vincent Canby of The New York Times wrote: "Mr. Sutherland, as the none-too-bright locksmith, and Miss Down, who must appear in several figuratively transparent disguises, have fun with what are, in effect, character roles.

"[14] In 1979, Down starred opposite Harrison Ford in the romantic war drama film Hanover Street, it received mixed-to-positive reviews and was considered a box-office failure.

The heady sensation created when her generous lips expand into a brilliant smile is an incidental pleasure well worth overindulging, but it would be even better if she had a role that permitted her more relaxation and confidence (and a costumer and hairdresser who consistently enhanced her beauty).

Vincent Canby of The New York Times wrote: "The performers are terrible, none more so than Mr. Langella, who is supposed to be mysterious and romantic but behaves with all of the charm of a room clerk at the Nile Hilton.

"[20][21] After Sphinx, Down returned to television playing British socialite Unity Mitford in an episode of anthology series BBC2 Playhouse.

[22] The following year she starred in Agatha Christie' Murder Is Easy and played the role of Esméralda in an American production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame opposite Anthony Hopkins.

Allegations of adultery, drug use and violence accompanied Down and Friedkin's acrimonious battle for full custody of their son in the divorce proceedings.

[29][30] In 1986, she returned to big screen starring alongside Pierce Brosnan in the horror film Nomads written and directed by John McTiernan.

The Los Angeles Times said: "The vapidity of both [lead] performances is magnified by come-hither camera shots that linger too long on their empty faces... Down has a little more flounce to the ounce, but the best she can do as a woman deceived is to fly into a deep snit.

"[32] Also that year, Down starred alongside Marilu Henner and Susan Blakely in the crime television film Ladykillers and later appeared in Night Walk (1989).

In 1990, Down was cast as a series regular for a limited run in the CBS primetime soap opera Dallas as Stephanie Rogers.

Down later starred in the smaller-scale films Night Trap (1993), Munchie Strikes Back (1994) In the Heat of Passion II: Unfaithful (1994), and The Secret Agent Club (1996).

In 1994 she returned to her role as Madeline Fabray LaMotte in the ABC miniseries, Heaven & Hell: North & South, Book III.

[39] Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly wrote: "Chief among the large cast is Lesley-Anne Down, irresistible as a hooked-on-vodka matron who may or may not have murdered her lover.

[44] She had cameo appearances in Don E. FauntLeRoy-directed action films Today You Die (2005) and Mercenary for Justice (2006), both starred Steven Seagal.

In 2011, Down appeared in the thriller film Rosewood Lane directed by Victor Salva with Rose McGowan, Ray Wise, and Lauren Vélez.

She starred alongside Kirsten Vangsness in the period black-and-white comedy film Kill Me, Deadly playing dotty millionairess Lady Clairmont.

The following year she appeared in the Lifetime movie I Am Watching You and played Jamie-Lynn Sigler' character mother in the Western film Justice.

[54] Despite this, Down returned to work playing British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the 2024 biographical film Reagan starring Dennis Quaid.