Lily James is 37 years old. Born Lily Chloe Ninette Thomson on 5 April 1989 in Esher, Surrey, England, she first won attention as Lady Rose MacClare in Downton Abbey, then became a film star as the title character in Disney’s live-action Cinderella (2015). Since then she has moved between period drama, blockbusters and prestige television — most notably her transformation into Pamela Anderson in Pam & Tommy — while building a reputation as one of Britain’s most versatile leading actresses.
Lily James Quick Facts
| Full Name | Lily Chloe Ninette Thomson |
| Date of Birth | 5 April 1989 |
| Age | 37 years old |
| Birthplace | Esher, Surrey, England |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Net Worth | Approx. $8 million (Celebrity Net Worth, 2026) |
| Known For | Cinderella (2015), Downton Abbey, Pam & Tommy |
Who Is Lily James?
Lily James is an English actress whose career has taken her from the drawing rooms of Downton Abbey to the title role in Disney’s Cinderella and on to an acclaimed transformation into Pamela Anderson in the Hulu miniseries Pam & Tommy. A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, she has worked steadily in film, television and theatre since 2010, and her performances have earned her Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
What makes James stand out is her range. She has played a Disney princess, a Second World War secretary, a zombie-fighting Elizabeth Bennet and a 1990s sex symbol, and she has moved just as easily between the West End stage and big-budget franchise films. Like Emily Blunt, she built her reputation in British period drama before becoming a Hollywood leading lady, and she now also produces her own projects.
Lily James’s Early Life & Background
Lily Chloe Ninette Thomson was born on 5 April 1989 in Esher, Surrey, England, and was raised alongside two brothers. Her father, actor and musician James Thomson, died in 2008, and she took his first name as her stage surname — after learning that another actress was already working under the name Lily Thomson. She began her drama training at the Tring Park School for the Performing Arts before studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, graduating in 2010.
James made her professional debut almost immediately after graduating, in the BBC adaptation of Just William in 2010, playing Ethel Brown. Stage work followed quickly: she appeared in Vernon God Little at the Young Vic in 2011, played Desdemona in Othello, and took the role of Nina in The Seagull at the Southwark Playhouse in 2012. Her early television roles included a part in Secret Diary of a Call Girl in 2011, before she joined the cast of Downton Abbey in 2012.
Lily James’s Career
James played Lady Rose MacClare in Downton Abbey from 2012 to 2015, appearing in 21 episodes across the show’s third, fourth and fifth series. The role made her a familiar face to millions of viewers, and the cast won Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in both 2014 and 2015. Her film breakthrough came in 2015, when she played the title role in Kenneth Branagh’s live-action Cinderella for Disney, opposite Cate Blanchett as the wicked stepmother. The film was a worldwide hit and established her as a leading lady.
She followed Cinderella with a run of varied film roles: Burnt (2015), Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) — in which she played Elizabeth Bennet, a role Keira Knightley had played in the 2005 film Pride & Prejudice — The Exception (2016), Edgar Wright’s Baby Driver (2017) as Debora, and Darkest Hour (2017) as Elizabeth Layton, Winston Churchill’s secretary. She played the young Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018), starred as Juliet Ashton in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018), and played Ellie Appleton in Danny Boyle’s Yesterday (2019). In 2020 she took the title role of the second Mrs de Winter in Netflix’s adaptation of Rebecca, and in 2021 she starred as Linda Radlett in the BBC adaptation of The Pursuit of Love — on which she also served as executive producer — and as Peggy Piggott in The Dig.
Her most acclaimed performance came in 2022, when she played Pamela Anderson in the Hulu drama miniseries Pam & Tommy, opposite Sebastian Stan as Tommy Lee. The role earned her Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Best Actress, along with a Satellite Award win. Since then she has appeared in What’s Love Got to Do with It? (2022), The Iron Claw (2023), Finally Dawn (2023), Greedy People (2024) and the thriller Relay (2024). In 2025 she starred as Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd in Swiped, which she also produced. Her upcoming work includes The Liberation (2026), Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo (2026), the Cliffhanger reboot (2027), in which she plays Naomi Cooper and serves as producer, and Seasons (2027). She returned to the stage in 2023 in Lyonesse at the Harold Pinter Theatre, opposite Kristin Scott Thomas, and became a brand ambassador for the Natural Diamond Council in September 2022.
Facts About Lily James
- Her stage surname “James” is her late father’s first name — she adopted it because another actress was already called Lily Thomson.
- She won the role of Cinderella in Kenneth Branagh’s 2015 live-action Disney film, her first major film lead.
- She won two Screen Actors Guild Awards as part of the Downton Abbey ensemble, in 2014 and 2015.
- Her portrayal of Pamela Anderson in Pam & Tommy (2022) earned her Golden Globe and Emmy nominations.
- She served as executive producer on The Pursuit of Love (2021) and as producer on Swiped (2025) and the Cliffhanger reboot (2027).
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Lily James?
Lily James is 37 years old. She was born on 5 April 1989 in Esher, Surrey, England.
What is Lily James’ net worth?
Lily James’ net worth is approximately $8 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth (2026).
Who did Lily James play in Pam & Tommy?
Lily James played Pamela Anderson in the Hulu drama miniseries Pam & Tommy (2022), opposite Sebastian Stan as Tommy Lee. Her performance earned her Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Best Actress.
Is Lily James married?
No, Lily James is not married. Her past relationships include actor Matt Smith, whom she dated from 2014 to 2019, and musician Michael Shuman, whom she dated from 2021 to 2023.
What is Lily James doing now?
Lily James starred as Whitney Wolfe Herd in Swiped (2025), which she also produced. Her upcoming projects include The Liberation (2026), Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo (2026), the Cliffhanger reboot (2027) and Seasons (2027).
How old is Lily James?
Lily James is 37 years old. She was born on 5 April 1989 in Esher, Surrey, England.
What is Lily James’ net worth?
Lily James’ net worth is approximately $8 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth (2026).
Who did Lily James play in Pam & Tommy?
Lily James played Pamela Anderson in the Hulu drama miniseries Pam & Tommy (2022), opposite Sebastian Stan as Tommy Lee. Her performance earned her Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Best Actress.
Is Lily James married?
No, Lily James is not married. Her past relationships include actor Matt Smith, whom she dated from 2014 to 2019, and musician Michael Shuman, whom she dated from 2021 to 2023.
What is Lily James doing now?
Lily James starred as Whitney Wolfe Herd in Swiped (2025), which she also produced. Her upcoming projects include The Liberation (2026), Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo (2026), the Cliffhanger reboot (2027) and Seasons (2027).
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