HARPER’S BAZAAR UK – Sparkling with lights that twinkle from its mirrored walls and bounce off its polished marble floors, Claridge’s is always a magical place for a wintry rendezvous. And this grey, chilly lunchtime, the establishment has truly outdone itself; for there, tête-à-tête in a cosy corner of the restaurant, sit Lily James and Matt Smith, better known as Cinderella and Doctor Who, in close confabulation. No wonder the small children sitting at the next-door table have swivelled round on their seats to gaze in unabashed wonder.

And who could blame them? James is enchanting, adorable, a star who appeals across the genders and generations. From her breakthrough role as Lady Rose in Downton Abbey, to Disney’s new Cinderella, followed by the beguiling Natasha Rostova in War & Peace, and then, last year, stepping into Meryl Streep’s dancing shoes for the Mamma Mia! sequel, she has embodied a series of delightfully giddy heroines. More surprisingly, her innate sunny likeability has cast the same glow over other, less immediately appealing roles, including a diner waitress in the action film Baby Driver and Churchill’s conscientious secretary in Darkest Hour. Her relationship of four years’ standing with the equally beloved Matt Smith seems to be just another chapter in a fairy-tale career. ‘I think charm is the most important ingredient in a human being… That is what Lily James has,’ Downton Abbey’s creator Julian Fellowes once told Bazaar.

However, these days James herself appears ambivalent about her rose-tinted image. It seems significant that, for the photo-shoot that precedes our meeting, she firmly rejects any gowns she finds too princessy. ‘Cinderella was a gift, and I will treasure it for the rest of my life,’ she explains, after her boyfriend has sloped off into the crowd, hat pulled down firmly over his eyes to preserve his anonymity. ‘But I wore a dress for the Mamma Mia! premiere that was blue and white and quite pouffy, and when I got out on the red carpet, all anyone said was “Oh, it’s Cinderella!” It’s a happy association, but also something that you want to shed at some point…’

She has arrived for our lunch casually dressed in jeans, eco-trainers and a white shirt, her Burberry mac slung over one arm, but to me, she still looks like a romantic heroine, with her wide, brown eyes, porcelain skin and wavy golden locks. The latter have been dyed that colour for a new Burberry campaign, she says. ‘I’m naturally a brunette, and I love it, but everyone else wants me to go blonde. Even my mum says, “I think I secretly prefer you as a blonde.”’She laughs, ruefully. ‘

I’m actively seeking characters from now on that are different, who don’t rely on charm or the qualities that I think I’ve explored quite a lot.’ Perhaps it’s not such a surprise (though it is a great shame) that she won’t be reprising her part as Lady Rose in the eagerly anticipated Downton Abbey film. ‘My character is in New York, and they couldn’t bring everyone back,’ she says diplomatically.

Back on Monday night (November 26) Lily attended ‘Putting On The Blitz Kids: The National Youth Theatre Annual Gala’ at Cafe de Paris in London, together with Matt Smith.

For the event Lily was wearing a black silk-blend shawl lapel blazer by Burberry and white women’s button flared trousers by A.L.C (thanks to Dress Like Lily James for the infos!).

Several photos from the evening have now been added to the gallery, enjoy!

Back on Saturday night (November 24) Lily, together with her Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again co-stars Jeremy Irvine and Hugh Skinner, were among the audience of the X-Factor ABBA Special episode.

Photos from the episode have now been added to the gallery, enjoy!

VARIETY – Lily James and Armie Hammer are set to star in Netflix and Working Title’s “Rebecca,” directed by Ben Wheatley.

Jane Goldman is writing the screenplay, adapted from Daphne du Maurier’s classic Gothic novel of the same name. The story follows a newly married young woman who, upon arriving at her husband’s imposing family estate on a bleak English coast, finds herself battling the shadow of his deceased first wife, the mysterious Rebecca, whose legacy continues to haunt the house.

Working Title’s Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan will produce along with Nira Park. The film is expected to go into production in the spring.

James most recently starred in “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” and can next be seen in an untitled Danny Boyle pic. Her previous credits include “Baby Driver” alongside Ansel Elgort, “Darkest Hour,” and “Cinderella.”

Hammer will next appear in Mimi Leder’s “On the Basis of Sex,” Anthony Maras’ “Hotel Mumbai,” and Babak Anvari’s untitled movie. His other credits include the critically acclaimed “Call Me by Your Name,” “Sorry to Bother You,” and Wheatley’s action-comedy “Free Fire.”

James is represented by UTA and Tavistock Wood Management. Hammer is repped by WME and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern. Wheatley and Goldman are repped by WME and Independent Talent Group. Wheatley is also repped by Bloom Hergott.

Last night (October 30) Lily attended the Harper’s Bazaar “Women of the Year” Awards – held at the Claridge’s Hotel in London (England) – where she was honored with the Editor’s Choice Award:

From the award-winning Darkest Hour to a joyful musical hit, the versatile British actress continues to enchant audiences with her effortless wit, charm and accomplishments.

Congratulations Lily!

She looked great wearing a Riccardo Tisci for Burberry Spring 2019 two piece look. Several photos from the evening have now been added to the gallery, enjoy!

Yesterday (October 17), Lily attended the press night after party for “Company” at The Prince of Wales Theatre in London.

THE EVENING STANDARD – Gillian Anderson and Lily James will return to the London stage next year for an adaptation of All About Eve.

The iconic 1950 Oscar-winning film, which starred Bette Davis and and Marilyn Monroe, will be directed and adapted by acclaimed theatre maker Ivo van Hove, with original music by PJ Harvey. Van Hove’s long-time collaborator Jan Versweyveld will design the production.

Anderson, who picked up the Evening Standard Theatre Award for best actress in 2014 for A Streetcar Named Desire , will play the role of Broadway diva Margo Channing. The role remains one of Davis’ most iconic performances, in the first and only film to receive four female acting nominations.

James, last seen on stage opposite Richard Madden in Romeo & Juliet, will play Channing’s number one fan, Eve Harrington. She recently starred in one of the biggest films of the summer, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again , playing a younger version of Meryl Streep’s character Donna.

The cast will also include BAFTA-winner Monica Dolan, Sheila Reid and Rhashan Stone, with more casting yet to be announced.

The production will open at the Noel Coward Theatre on February 2, 2019, for a limited 14 week run (till May 11, 2019). Tickets go on general sale on September 28 at 10am.