Lily James is a young and promising British actress. She gained fame at home after filming in the series "Downton Abbey", and brought world fame to her main role in the film "Cinderella" by Kenneth Branagh. What path did the aspiring actress go to achieve such fame?
Carier start
The future actress was born in 1989 in the UK. Her mother, Ninette Thompson, is also an actress, although less successful than her daughter. The girl's father, James Thompson, made music. It was he who became the ideological inspirer of Lily, prompting her to begin her career as an actress. Unfortunately, in 2009, he died of cancer. In memory of him, the girl took his name as a pseudonym - Lily James. Her grandmother was also an actress. Her most significant role was the voice of the computer in the legendary film "Alien". Lily also has two brothers, but they are in no way connected with the acting environment.
Even in childhood, under the influence of her father and grandmother, the girl became interested in acting. Immediately after graduating from high school, she began studying at the London Guildhall School of Music and Drama. In 2010, the girl successfully graduated from her and began to build her career. At first, Lily played only in theaters. On stage, she embodied the image of Desdemona from the play "Othello" by William Shakespeare. She also played in the institutions of Richmond and London, including the famous metropolitan theater "Young Wick."
The main filmography
The debut on television was a small role in the last season of the popular British sitcom Secret Calling Girl Diary. However, the role of Lady Rose McClair in the historical drama "Downton Abbey" brought her fame in England. Lily James played in this project for 3 seasons. He was for the actress the first step on the path to popularity. The next project of the future star is the comedy short film "Chemistry", in which she played the main role. In 2010, she took part in the filming of the family series "Just William."
On the big screen, Lily James first appeared in 2012, taking part in the film "Wrath of the Titans" by the famous British actor and director Kenneth Branagh. Subsequently, he will once again invite the girl to participate in his major projects. However, the film was a moderate success - it collected good box office worldwide, but was completely defeated by critics. Lily returned to television, where she starred in the film "Broken", playing the episodic role of the matured protagonist. In addition, she played in the movie "Fast Girls" - a sports drama about the heavy rivalry of athletes. Then the actress took a short break between filming, appearing only in the short film "Boycott" in 2013.
In 2014, Kenneth Branagh begins preparations for a new film adaptation of the famous cartoon “Cinderella”, in which Lily James played the main role. In addition to her tests, such distinguished actresses as Alicia Vikander, Saoirse Ronan and Emma Watson also passed. The film was a huge success and positive reviews from critics, suddenly making the young British actress popular around the world.
This was followed by roles in major Hollywood projects: "Chef Adam Jones" and "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies." In the last film, the girl played the role of Elizabeth Bennett, the cult heroine of British literature. Following her was followed by another film adaptation. This time, Lily James got the role of Natasha Rostova in the British series War and Peace. Its production was ordered by BBC - the largest in the UK. It consists of 6 episodes that were released in early 2016. Thus, Lily James, whose filmography includes more than a dozen projects over the past few years, can be called one of the most successful British young actresses.
Personal life
About the relationship in which the actress was at the beginning of her career, nothing is known. Only in 2014, rumors began to appear in the press about the gaining romance of Matt Smith and Lily James. Personal life is a topic that a girl avoids while talking with reporters. However, by 2015, no one had any doubts that they were in love with each other.
Matt Smith is a popular British actor, whose popularity was brought by the role of the Eleventh Doctor in the science fiction series Doctor Who. Together with Lily, he took part in the filming of "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies." The couple has been dating for two years. They do not seek to cover their relationship in public, but often appear at formal events together, and are friends of families.
