Editorial Staff
Who is Lily James?
Lily James, an English actress, is well-known for her roles in films such as Cinderella, where she played the main character. In the war drama film ‘Darkest Hour’, she is well-known for her supporting role. She was born in Esher, Surrey and became familiar with the show business at a young age, being the daughter of an actress and a musician. During her childhood, she made the decision to follow her mother’s footsteps and attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama as an actress.
Her career began with TV appearances. She appeared in four episodes of the ‘Just William’ series for her first role. In the epic fantasy film ‘Wrath of the Titans’, she made her debut on the big screen. The film earned twice its budget, making it a financial success. Her performance as Cinderella in the romantic fantasy film ‘Cinderella’ made her famous worldwide. The main inspiration for it was the famous folk tale with the same name. The movie was a success both commercially and in terms of receiving an Oscar nomination. In the recent war drama movie ‘Darkest Hour’, she portrayed Elizabeth Nel, Winston Churchill’s personal secretary.
| Real Name/Full Name | Lily Chloe Ninette Thomson |
| Date Of Birth | 5 April 1989 |
| Age | 36 years old |
| Birthplace | Esher, United Kingdom. |
| Nationality | British. |
| Religion | Christianity. |
| Zodiac sign | Aries. |
| Father | James |
| Mother | Ninette |
| Hair Color | Light Brown |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inch |
| Weight | 55 kg |
| Marital Status | Relationship |
| Spouse | Not Married |
| Siblings | Sam Thomson. |
| Profession | Actress, and TV Personality. |
| Net worth | $8.5 Million. |
Biography
Born Lily Chloe Ninette Thomson on April 5, 1989 in Esher, Surrey, England, she grew up in a wealthy area just outside of London. Her career choice may have been influenced by her family’s strong artistic roots. Ninette Thomson, Lily’s mother, was an actress and dancer who also operated a dance school, which exposed her to the performing arts from an early age. Her father, Jamie Thomson, was a music executive, which could have affected her musical interests, particularly in projects like Mamma Mia! We are going back again. Lily has an older brother, Sam Thomson, who has remained supportive of her career, though their sibling relationship stays largely out of the public eye, reflecting her desire for privacy regarding her family.
The Arts Educational School in Chiswick, London, was where Lily attended secondary school and received prestigious training in performing arts. Her early commitment to pursuing an acting career was demonstrated by this decision. She then advanced to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, one of the UK’s leading drama schools, earning a bachelor’s degree in acting, further sharpening her craft and setting the stage for her professional journey.
Personal Life
From around 2014 to several years later, Lily James and actor Matt Smith were in a relationship. Their romance, which was frequently publicized, faced scrutiny and speculation before they ultimately parted ways in 2019.
There were rumors linking James to Chris Evans in 2020 after she separated from Smith, but neither party has confirmed them. Her spotted with Dominic West was a significant chapter, which led to controversy due to West’s marital status.
Michael Shuman (2021–2023), Chris Evans (2021–2023), Matt Smith (2014–2019), and Jack Fox (2011–2012) have been the partners of Lily James. She had a brief connection with Dominic West as well.
James’ recent relationship with Michael Shuman, the bassist for Queens of the Stone Age, has resulted in him dating someone outside of the usual Hollywood circle. Despite their relationship being described as on-again, off-again, it seemed to be stable by early 2022.
Career
Lily James’ career began in 2010 when she played a supporting role in the TV series ‘Just William’. She appeared in a series called ‘Secret Diary of a Call Girl’ in some episodes the following year. In 2012, she made an appearance in the short film ‘Chemistry’. Her performance in the epic fantasy film ‘Wrath of the Titans’ in 2012 was as a supporting character.
In 2012, she appeared in the British drama film ‘Broken’, which was based on a novel written by Daniel Clay. Rufus Norris was the director for the film, which was praised by critics and won several international awards. The drama film ‘Fast Girls’ directed by Reagan Hall was also directed by her the same year. From 2012 until 2015, she played a significant role in the TV series ‘Downtown Abbey’.
After playing the lead role in the American romantic fantasy film ‘Cinderella’ in 2015, she reached her peak in her career. Kenneth Branagh directed the film. The plot was based on the well-known fairy tale of the same name, and took some inspiration from Walt Disney’s 1950 film of the same name. She acted in the comedy-horror film ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ in 2016. The 1813 Jane Austen novel was mocked in this parody. The film was not well-received by the public and received mixed reviews. Her next movie was ‘The Exception’, a romantic war drama that was based on the novel ‘The Kaiser’s Last Kiss’. Average to positive reviews were given to the film directed by David Leveaux.
In 2017 she played a supporting role in the action crime film ‘Baby Driver’. The film was a hit at the box office and was nominated for three Oscars. Elizabeth Nel was one of her roles in ‘Darkest Hour’, a war drama film she played the same year. The film achieved success commercially and was nominated for six Oscars, including two wins.
She demonstrated her versatile talents by playing parts in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016), Baby Driver (2017), and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) is a sequel. Her portrayal of Pamela Anderson in the biographical series Pam & Tommy (2022) earned her nominations for a Golden Globe and a Primetime Emmy Award, highlighting her ability to tackle complex and diverse characters. James’ prominence in the entertainment industry is still evident as of January 2025. In recent years, she has worked on two projects: The Dig (2021) where she played Peggy Piggott and the miniseries Pam & Tommy (2022), which was critically acclaimed.
Filmography
Movies
- 2012 Chemistry
- 2012 Wrath of the Titans
- 2012 Broken
- 2012 Fast Girls
- 2013 The Silent Treatment
- 2015 Cinderella
- 2015 Burnt
- 2016 Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
- 2016 The Exception
- 2016 The Tale of Thomas Burberry
- 2017 Baby Driver
- 2017 Darkest Hour
- 2018 Sorry to Bother You (voice)
- 2018 The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
- 2018 Little Woods
- 2018 Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
- 2019 One Red Nose Day and a Wedding
- 2019 Yesterday
- 2019 Rare Beasts
- 2020 Rebecca
- 2021 The Dig
- 2022 What’s Love Got to Do with It?
- 2023 Finally Dawn
- 2023 The Iron Claw
- 2024 Greedy People
- 2024 Relay
TV Series
- 2010 Just William (TV Series)
- 2011 Secret Diary of a Call Girl (TV Series)
- 2012–2015 Downton Abbey (TV Series)
- 2016 War & Peace (TV Series)
- 2021 The Pursuit of Love (TV Series)
- 2021 Beauty and the Beast (TV Series)
- 2022 Pam & Tommy (TV Series)
Net Worth
Lily James’ net worth is predicted to reach $8.5 million by 2025. The majority of her income comes from her acting career, which encompasses roles in film, television, and theater. Brand endorsements and her appearances at high-profile events have resulted in her earning money. Her assets are notable, including a luxurious home in London and a collection of cars, which includes an Audi. Her wealth is furthered by the investments she makes in various properties and business ventures.
