Lily James is an English actress who has a net worth of $8 million.
Lily James began her acting journey at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, making her television debut in the series "Just William." She gained recognition with a significant role in "Downton Abbey" and achieved mainstream success with her lead performance in the 2015 film "Cinderella."
As she solidified her presence in the entertainment industry, James secured prominent roles in productions like "War & Peace" and a variety of Hollywood films. In 2022, she earned widespread praise for her role as Pamela Anderson in the miniseries "Pam & Tommy." Some of her standout films include "Baby Driver," "Darkest Hour," "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society," "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again," "Yesterday," "Rebecca," and "The Dig."
Lily James channels a young Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, bringing fresh energy and vocals to the beloved musical sequel.
Lily James is also set to appear in the upcoming action-thriller Cliffhanger, which is currently in post-production. The film, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, centers on a mountain guide and his daughter who run a climbing business in the Italian Alps. When tragedy strikes, they're forced to face off against unexpected threats in a fight for survival. James stars alongside Pierce Brosnan and Nell Tiger Free in what's shaping up to be an intense and emotional story.
Lily Chloe Ninette Thomson was born on April 5, 1989, in Esher, Surrey, England. She was raised alongside two brothers by parents who are both artists. Her mother, Ninette Mantle, is an actress, and her father, Jamie Thomson, was a musician who sadly lost his battle with cancer in 2008.
Additionally, her maternal grandmother, Helen Horton, was a prominent American actress. When she discovered that another actress was already using the name Lily Thomson, she chose to honor her late father by adopting his first name as her stage name, becoming known to the public as Lily James. Lily began her acting journey at the Tring Park School for the Performing Arts before moving on to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. After completing her studies in 2010, she swiftly secured an agent and started auditioning for various roles.
Fresh out of acting school, Lily made her professional debut in the 2010 TV production of "Just William. The following year, she took on a role in the fourth season of "Secret Diary of a Call Girl" and then secured a more significant part in "Downton Abbey."
Lily James as Lady Rose MacClare in Downton Abbey — the role that helped launch her into the spotlight.
In this series, James portrayed Lady Rose, a character who gained more importance during the fourth and fifth seasons. In 2011, Lily James also expanded her talents to the stage, playing Taylor in a theatrical adaptation of "Vernon God Little" at the Young Vic Theatre. Additionally, she participated in productions such as "The Seagull" and Shakespeare's "Othello."
Continuing her stage journey in 2012, she earned acclaim for her performances in "Play House" and "Definitely the Bahamas." She later transitioned back to film with appearances in "Wrath of the Titans" and "Fast Girls."
While her career was certainly off to a great start, it wasn't until 2015 that she truly started to break through. This marked the moment she secured the lead role in Disney's "Cinderella." Lily showcased her impressive singing abilities by performing several songs from the movie.
In 2016, she made her way back to British television, taking on the character of Natasha Rostova in "War & Peace." Shortly after, she ventured into another film project, but this one didn't achieve the same success as "Cinderella." "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" underperformed at the box office and garnered mixed feedback.
Also in 2016, Lily returned to theatre for a production of Romeo and Juliet, playing Juliet. 2017 was a remarkable year for the British actress, featuring her roles in films such as "Baby Driver," "Darkest Hour," and "The Exception." The following year, she starred in "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" and also took part in "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society." In 2019, she showcased her talent once more on stage with "All About Eve." She made her film comeback in 2020 with a part in "Rebecca," and in 2021, she became a member of the cast for "The Dig." In 2022, Lily starred as Pamela Anderson in the Hulu drama miniseries "Pam & Tommy." Her work led to an Emmy nomination for Lead Actress in a limited series.
Much of Lily's personal life is kept away from the prying eyes of the media. That being said, she was in a well-publicized relationship with actor Matt Smith for many years after the two met on the set of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. They were often seen together at events, and though they kept their relationship relatively low-key, it became a regular feature in entertainment headlines until they went their separate ways in 2019.
Later on, James was linked to Michael Shuman, the American musician known for playing bass in Queens of the Stone Age. The two were first spotted together in 2021, and things seemed to be going strong—until early 2023, when word got out that they had called it quits. But in true celebrity fashion, the story might not be over just yet. By November, there were whispers that they’d reconnected. While neither has spoken publicly about the status of their relationship, sightings and subtle social media clues have kept the rumor mill turning.
Lily James and Matt Smith were a fan-favorite couple during their years together, after meeting on the set of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
The bulk of Lily James's income comes from her work as an actress in film, television, and theatre. She gained early recognition on TV with roles in series like Downton Abbey before transitioning to leading roles in major films such as Cinderella, Baby Driver, and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. In addition to her acting career, James has boosted her earnings through endorsement deals and fashion partnerships with luxury brands like Fendi and ERDEM. Though exact figures are rarely disclosed, these ventures collectively contribute to her estimated $8 million net worth.
Back in late 2020, Lily James quietly stepped onto the property ladder in a big way—by snapping up a stunning £3 million home in North London. The house, a charming Grade-II listed property, comes with just one bedroom but carries plenty of historic character and exclusivity. According to a report by the Daily Mail, official records show she bought the place outright, with no mortgage involved. It’s a bold, confident move that speaks volumes about where she’s at in her career—solid, successful, and clearly doing well enough to make such a purchase on her own terms.
Does Lily James have a partner?
As of recent reports, Lily James has been linked to Michael Shuman, the bassist for the band Queens of the Stone Age. However, she tends to keep her personal life private, and relationship details can change over time.
Does Lily James wear prosthetic?
Lily James has worn prosthetics for specific roles. For example, in Pam & Tommy, she wore facial prosthetics, including a fake forehead and chest pieces, to more closely resemble Pamela Anderson.
Why did Matt Smith leave Lily James?
Lily James and Matt Smith reportedly split in 2019 after several years of dating. While the exact reasons weren’t publicly confirmed, sources cited busy schedules and drifting apart as contributing factors.
Is Lily James actually singing in Mamma Mia?
Yes, Lily James did her own singing in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Her vocals were featured prominently throughout the film, showcasing her musical talent.
Is Lily James in a relationship?
Lily James was previously in a relationship with musician Michael Shuman. In 2025, she was spotted leaving a BAFTAs afterparty with actor Glen Powell, sparking dating rumors—though nothing has been officially confirmed.
Who is Lily James’s current partner?
There is no confirmed partner at the moment. She was last linked to Michael Shuman, and most recently seen with Glen Powell, but neither relationship has been publicly confirmed as ongoing.
What role did Lily James play in Downton Abbey?
Lily James played Lady Rose MacClare, a vivacious and progressive cousin to the Crawley family. She joined the series in Season 3 and appeared through the finale.
How did Lily James become Pamela Anderson in Pam & Tommy?
For the Hulu miniseries Pam & Tommy, Lily James underwent a dramatic transformation using facial prosthetics, a blonde wig, and voice coaching to portray Pamela Anderson.
Did Lily James play Cinderella?
Yes, she starred as the title character in Disney’s live-action Cinderella (2015), directed by Kenneth Branagh. The role helped catapult her to global fame.
Are Lily James and Glen Powell dating?
The two co-starred in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and their recent public appearance together in early 2025 sparked dating rumors. However, nothing has been officially confirmed.
