HARPER’S BAZAAR – There has been an invasion of Russia. The imperial palace of Gatchina outside St Petersburg has been overrun by a motley army that has brought its own field kitchens, transports and baggage trains in its wake. Men in Hussar uniforms stride purposefully by, horses champ and stamp, and serfs dressed in woven-leather slippers look on.

But this is no Napoleonic conquest. The BBC has descended in force, breathing new life into War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy’s sweeping story of Russian society during the early years of the 19th century.

‘We wrap tomorrow,’ says Lily James, fresh from her roles as Lady Rose in Downton Abbey and Cinderella in the Disney fairy tale. Now she is playing Natasha Rostova, the bewitching young countess at the heart of the novel. Natasha loves, and is loved by, many of the other characters – not only her sprawling family but a succession of variously eligible young men. James herself was not proof against Natasha’s mercurial charm. ‘I had a lot of time to read the book and totally fell in love with Natasha,’ she says as she sits patiently in a make-up trailer, wearing a white T-shirt and ripped black jeans, while her hair is plaited, primped and transformed into an empire style.

‘She’s got such spirit, such soul, and feels things so intensely and extravagantly. At times I can be like her. There’s a description of her first ball at her dancing teacher’s house and it says she falls in love with every person in the room. She’s so open to the world and her heart is so big. I think I fell in love with everyone when I was growing up too, and my friends say I do fall in love really easily.’ The BBC team spent time in Vilnius in Lithuania as well as in Russia and was granted unprecedented access to film the young Countess Rostova’s first real ball in Empress Catherine’s palace. ‘That’s where the Tsar’s ball actually happened,’ explains James. ‘Being in that room with a Russian orchestra playing the music… those are some of the most breathtaking moments I’ve had filming. They made my hair stand on end.’

A new promotional poster for Pride and Prejudice and Zombies has just been released and it looks great! Be sure to check it in our gallery:

And together with the poster, they released a new trailer that can be watched below:

A brand new promotional picture for Lily’s new drama War and Peace has been released and added to our gallery! Thanks to Far Far Away for the HQ. Enjoy!

Yesterday (November 18) evening, Lily also attended the Claridge’s Christmas Tree Party 2015, designed by Christopher Bailey for Burberry, at Claridge’s Hotel in London. Some photos from the event have been added to the gallery, but be sure to keep the site twitter @lilyjamesonline checked in case of additions!

Yesterday (November 18) Lily and her Downton Abbey co-star Sophie McShera, attended a photocall ahead of a charity fundraising afternoon tea event in aid of the Special Olympics GB Team at The Milestone Hotel in London. Beautiful pics from the event have now been added to the gallery, enjoy them!

Yesterday (November 17) Lily attended the Moda Operandi Holiday Dinner hosted by Lauren Santo Domingo in London. Some photos from the event have now been added to the gallery, enjoy them!

The first couple of promotional images of Lily as Lady Rose in the Downton Abbey – ever last – Christmas Special episode have been added to the gallery! Enjoy them!

On November 07, Lily attended the after party for the The Winter’s Tale Press Night – the first play of the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company. The party took place at The National Cafe in London, and a couple of photos of Lily have been added to the gallery, enjoy!