'Downton Abbey' Star Lily James Named Disney's 'Cinderella'

Jeff Sneider

"Downton Abbey" star Lily James has landed the title role in Disney's "Cinderella," the studio announced on Tuesday.

Kenneth Branagh is directing the live-action film, which co-stars Cate Blanchett as the evil stepmother. Alli Shearmur and Simon Kinberg are producing with David Barron.

James, who came to attention on the racy series "Secret Diary of a Call Girl," is best known for playing Lady Rose MacClare on "Downton Abbey." She had a supporting role in "Wrath of the Titans" and co-starred alongside Cillian Murphy and Tim Roth in the indie movie "Broken." She's repped by UTA and Tavistock Wood Management.

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