Lily James (born Lily Chloe Ninette Thomson, 5 April 1989) is an English actress who first came to wide attention as Lady Rose in Downton Abbey and then as the title character in Disney's live-action Cinderella (2015). Her role as young Donna in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) and her portrayal of Pamela Anderson in the Hulu miniseries Pam & Tommy (2022) - which earned her Emmy, Golden Globe, and Critics Choice nominations - cemented her as one of Britain's most versatile screen performers. In 2025 she starred in the Bumble founder biopic Swiped, which she also produced, and in David Mackenzie's thriller Relay opposite Riz Ahmed.
Lily James was cast in the horror film Seasons directed by Drew Hancock for Amazon MGM Studios.
Lily James joined Chris Hemsworth in the action thriller Subversion for Amazon MGM Studios, where she plays a coast guard officer.
The biographical drama Swiped, in which James plays Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd and which she also produced, premiered at TIFF and was released on Hulu and Disney+.
The thriller Relay with Riz Ahmed, directed by David Mackenzie, was released in US cinemas.
Lily James is in production on the psychological drama Harmonia (directed by Guy Nattiv) and completed filming Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo for director Takashi Miike and distributor Neon.
