PHOTOS‘Downton Abbey’ Snub! Lily James Reveals She Wasn’t Asked To Join The Film
July 16 2018, Updated 1:24 p.m. ET
While the original cast of Downton Abbey is reuniting for the film version of the hit TV series, one notable actor won’t be appearing in the movie: Lily James!
In an interview with People, Lily revealed she was not asked back. “My character Rose MacClare moved off to New York, so it would be farfetched to bring her back,” she explained.
“I would have loved to have come back for a scene, but for a movie it can’t be like a Christmas special and it needs to be a focused storyline. There was no space for Rose,” Lily insisted.
Despite not getting a spot in the long-awaited film, Lily is still in touch with her former costars. “I spoke to Laura Carmichael not long ago and was texting Michelle Dockery about Love Island and it’s going to be really exciting. And the whole gang is coming back,” she said.
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On Friday, Focus Features announced Downton Abbey was getting the big screen treatment. “Since the series ended, fans of Downton have long been waiting for the Crawley family’s next chapter,” Focus chairman Peter Kujawski said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to join this incredible group of filmmakers, actors and craftspeople, led by Julian Fellowes and Gareth Neame, in bringing back the world of Downton to the big screen.”
Since leaving Downton Abbey, Lily has had a successful career in film. She played the title role in the 2015 film Cinderella and currently stars in the Mamma Mia sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
Do you wish Lily could be in the Downton Abbey movie? Sound off in the comments below!
