The bestLily Jamesmovies include an eclectic range of projects that especially highlight her aptitude for period dramas and portraying real-life historical figures. Born in the UK in 1989, Lily James has been an active presence on screens since 2009. Her career began in UK dramas such as 2011’sSecret Diary of a Call Girl,though it was the role of Lady Rose MacClare inDownton Abbeythat proved to be her big break.
Since appearing inDownton Abbeyin 2012, Lily James’ career has gone from strength-to-strength. From her roots in the UK, she’s gone on to achieve international acclaim thanks to Hollywood blockbusters like 2015’sCinderellaand 2018’sMamma Mia! Here We Go Again.The best Lily James movies and TV shows reveal how truly talented she is when it comes to grounded and emotional dramas, and that she’s got a wider range than many truly appreciate.
The 2018 crime dramaLittle Woodswas the directorial debut of Nia DaCosta and starred Lily James as part of an ensemble cast that also included the likes of Tessa Thompson andthe late Lance Reddick. The movie focuses on Ollie (Tessa Thompson), a former criminal who’s trying to turn over a new leaf - that is until her sister, Deb (James) falls pregnant and can’t afford an abortion.
Little Woodsis a nuanced movie, covering many themes including financial inequality and access to essential medical care. Tessa Thompson and Lily James have phenomenal chemistry, and the movie - while not her most well-known - easily remains a highlight of James’ career.It’s one of the most complex feature-film roles Lily James has taken on so far, and few projects showcase the extent of her abilities as a performer quite as clearly.
The Dig
Cast
The Dig is a 2021 Netflix original film that was based on John Preston’s book of the same name. The Dig is set in 1938, when Edith Pretty hires Basil Brown to excavate large burial grounds near Sutton Hoo. Directed by Simon Stone, The Dig stars Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James, and Johnny Flynn.
2021’sThe Digcomes from director Simon Stone and is based on the 2007 novel of the same name by John Preston. The grounded historical story focuses on a team of archaeologists in the UK’s Suffolk in 1939 who discovered and excavated an entire Saxon settlement at Sutton Hoo. Theensemble cast ofThe Digincludes Lily James alongside the likes of Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan, and James manages to shine throughout as real-life historian Peggy Piggott.
The performance Lily James gives inThe Digshowcases her incredible aptitude for period dramas and playing real-life historical figures. James manages to make Piggott an incredibly endearing character, perfectly mixing a sense of social awkwardness and physical clumsiness with a clear and keen intelligence. It’s an incredibly unique role, and one that it’s difficult to imagine anyone besides Lily James making quite as memorable.
The Iron Claw
The Iron Claw portrays the rise and fall of the Von Erich family, a dynasty in professional wrestling. Directed by Sean Durkin, the film explores the family members' personal struggles and tragic fates and the lasting impact they left on the sport.
Directed by Sean Durkin (who also wrote the screenplay), 2023’sThe Iron Clawis one of the most gripping and tragic sports biopics of the 2020s so far. The film focuses onthe real-life Von Erich brothers, the sons of pro-wrestler Fritz Von Erich. The brothers enter the profession due to their father’s wishes, though each is beset by tragedy due to the immense pressure his legacy and demands entail.
Starring alongside Zac Effron, Jeremy Allen White, and Harris Dickinson, Lily James stars inThe Iron Clawcast as Pam Adkisson, the girlfriend of Zac Effron’s Kevin Von Eritch. Lily James gives a typically strong performance inThe Iron Claw,and is especially notable for her incredibly authentic Texan accent, which doesn’t waver throughout.The film also showcases her talent for dramatic moments, which the tragic story of the Von Erich brothers delivers with heartbreaking frequency.
Darkest Hour
Darkest Hour is a historical drama film that follows recently inaugurated Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who must face his most turbulent and defining trial: entertaining a negotiated peace treaty with Nazi Germany or standing firm to fight for the ideals, liberty, and freedom of a nation - and the world.
2017’sDarkest Houris one of several memorable period dramas Lily James has appeared in, and she once again shows her aptitude both for historical settings and for playing real-life individuals. Directed by Joe Wright,Darkest Hourfocuses on the UK’s WW2 prime minister Winston Churchill (played by Gary Oldman) from 1941-45. Lily James plays Elizabeth Layton, one of the most nuanced and complicated roles in the film.
Of all the roles Lily James has taken on, few show the level of character growth of Elizabeth Layton inDarkest Hour.When Layton first appears inDarkest Hourshe’s the subject of borderline abuse from Churchill. However, as the movie progresses, she becomes one of his most trusted colleagues and an important source of emotional support for him during his most difficult years in office.Lily James showcases her incredible talents for drama throughout and has impeccable chemistry with he co-star Gary Oldman.
Baby Driver
After being coerced into working for a crime boss, getaway driver Baby is determined to escape his life of thievery and violence to make a life with his girlfriend Debora, However, when he finds himself taking part in a heist doomed to fail, things start looking desperate.
Director Edgar Wright may be most knownfor the Cornetto Trilogy(which includes the likes ofShaun of the DeadandHot Fuzz), but this is far from the extent of his work. His movies are always known for their slick and stylish quality, with the 2017 action movieBaby Driverbeing no exception. It also stands as one of the best Lily James movie thanks to her performance as Debora, the girlfriend of Ansel Elgort’s titular driver, Miles (AKA “Baby”).
Like several of Lily James’ best movies and TV shows,Baby Driverstands out both because of the quality of her performance and because the part sits outside the kinds of roles she’s most known for.Dark, violent, and gritty throughout,Baby Driveris a world away from the likes ofMamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Cinderella,orDownton Abbey,but Lily James thrives in the movie regardless.
Yesterday
Written by famous rom-com director Richard Curtis, Yesterday follows Jack Malik, a struggling musician who one day wakes up to discover that he is the only person who remembers famous 1960s rock band The Beatles. As Jack begins using his exclusive knowledge to his advantage, he must reckon with the burden of it and the price that comes with his newfound fame. The film stars Himesh Patel as Jack, with a supporting cast of Lily James, Joel Fry, Kate McKinnon, and Ed Sheeran.
2019’sYesterday,from28 Days LaterandTrainspottingdirector Danny Boyle, is a musical romantic comedy with a unique premise. The film focuses on Jack Malik (Himesh Patel), a musician who, after a global power failure, awakes to find that he’s the only person on Earth who remembers the music of legendary Britishrock' n’ roll band The Beatles. Using this to his advantage, Jack writes and records the Beatles songs for himself, achieving stardom in the process.
Lily James co-stars alongside Himesh Patel inYesterdayas Ellie Appleton, Jack’s manager and love interest. The more famous Jack gets, the more distant he and Ellie become, and James does a fantastic job and making this narrative emotionally hit home.The chemistry between Patel and James makes every stage of their romantic journey heartfelt and ensures thatYesterdaywill always be considered among her best movies.
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
A sequel to Mamma Mia! (2008), Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is set five years after the events of the first film and follow Sophie Sheridan as she attempts to reopen the Hotel Bella Donna after the death of her mother. The film cuts back and forth between Sophia’s struggles at the hotel and Donna’s past, detailing how she met each of Sophie’s three possible fathers introduced in the first film. The ensemble cast features Amanda Seyfried, Lily James, Pierce Brosnan, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Stellan Skarsgård, Colin Firth, Andy Garcia, and Cher.
2018’sMamma Mia! Here We Go Againis the 2018 sequel to 2008’sMamma Mia!,the highly successful musical directed by Philida Lloyd with music by thelegendary pop band ABBA.Anticipation forMamma Mia! Here We Go Againwas high due to the success of the original and over a decade passing between them. Thankfully,Here We Go Againarrived to immense praise, in part thanks to the flashback narratives that delved into the history of the likes of Meryl Streep’s Donna Sheridan-Carmichael.
These scenes set in the past wouldn’t have worked without a strong cast playing younger versions of the characters, and Lily James did a fantastic job as the past version of Donna Sheridan. James brought an infectious level of joy and energy to the role, andher performance helped cementMamma Mia! Here We Go Againas a sequel that more than lived up to the original.
Downton Abbey
Set in the early 20th century, Downton Abbey follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the fictional Yorkshire estate. The series explores themes of social change, romance, and intrigue against the backdrop of historical events, including the sinking of the Titanic, World War I, and the rise of the working class.
Downton Abbeyis inarguably one of the most successful period dramas of the 2010s, and while it was on the air it dominated the cultural zeitgeist. The series, created by Julian Fellowes, featured an incredible cast that included the likes of Hugh Bonneville and the late Maggie Smith. Lily James stood out among the ensemble cast as Lady Rose MacLare when she joined inDownton Abbeyseason 3, and the series instantly became one of the best TV show appearances of her career.
Lily James’ Lady Rose MacClare was, in many ways, a breath of fresh air for Downton Abbey. Confident in her beliefs but hiding a deep-seated lack of self-assuredness, Lady Rose shook things up at the Crawley manor, to say the least.She remains one of the most memorableDownton Abbeycharacters, and this is entirely due to the strength of Lily James’ performance.
Why Lily James Left Downton Abbey (& Why She’s Not In The Movie)
After she left Downton Abbey, Lily James became a movie star. Here’s why she left the hit series and why Lady Rose won’t appear in the new movie.
Pam & Tommy
This biographical drama chronicles the infamous marriage between Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee. Pam & Tommy stars Lily James as Anderson and Sebastian Stan as Lee, with the show documenting the events surrounding the release of the pair’s sex tape, earning them international notoriety. Pam & Tommy also features Nick Offerman, Seth Rogen, and Taylor Schilling in supporting roles.
The 2022 miniseriesPam ~& Tommyarrived on Hulu to huge critical praise, and not only does it stand as the best Lily James TV show, but it also demonstrates just how wide her acting range truly is. Herportrayal of Pamela Andersonduring some of the most tumultuous years of the actor’s life couldn’t be more different from the likes ofDownton Abbey’sLady Rose or the young Donna Sheridan inMamma Mia! Here We Go Again,but James delivered an incredibly strong performance regardless.
The part of Pamela Anderson inPam & Tobbylanded Lily James with a string of accolades.These include a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie and a Golden Globe for Best Actress - Limited or Anthol9ogy Series or Movie Made for Television. She also won a Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Miniseries, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television. While the part was far outside her usual roles, it’s clear thatPam & Tommyremains the best Lily James TV show so far.
Cinderella
A live-action remake of Disney’s 1950 animated classic, Cinderella follows Ella (Lily James), a kind-hearted girl left by her late father in the care of her stepmother, Lady Tremaine (Cate Blanchett). Controlling the family fortune, Tremaine dotes upon her daughters while forcing Ella to work tireless around the home. However, when Prince Charming (Richard Madden) announces a ball, Ella is given help by her fairy godmother to seek true love.
Thelive-action Disney adaptationsmay not be the most consistent creative venture from the House of Mouse, but 2015’sCinderellafrom director Kenneth Branagh was an undisputed success (as evidenced by its 84% critical score and 78% audience score onRotten Tomatoes). It also marks the best Lily James movie so far, as she takes on the lead role as Elle, the young woman who finds her life turned around after a chance visit from her Fairy Godmother and losing a glass slipper at a royal ball.
Taking on the role of one of the most iconic Disney princesses of all time was a huge career move for Lily James, and she took to the part with flying colors. She completely embodied the classic Disney princess, and had incredible chemistry with co-star Cate Blanchett (who played the wicked stepmother, Lady Tremaine).Lily Jameswas nominated for a Teen Choice and Kids’ Choice award for the role, and her spellbinding performance ensures thatCinderellaremains her best movie or TV show.
