Lily James From Downton Abbey Fits Cinderella’s Shoes; Live Action Cinderella Comes 63 Years After the Animated Original Disney Classic

Lily James from Downton Abbey is putting her best foot forward as Cinderella in a new film directed by Kenneth Branagh.

Lily James is best known as Lady Rose MacClare, Downton Abbey’s rebellious daughter. But in the new live action Disney film, “Cinderella,” Lily James will get to play a more innocent role. Lily James is the put upon dreamer Cinderella.

In screen photos that have been recently release, “Downton Abbey” star Lily James as Cinderella wears a mint-green colored gown from the period, with her long hair flowing as she races around the countryside on horseback.

Lily James beat dozens of stars who were vying for the title role of “Cinderella” in the upcoming film that is being directed by Kenneth Branagh.

Kenneth Branagh said “It is impossible to think of Cinderella without thinking of Disney and the timeless images we’ve all grown up watching. Those classic moments are irresistible to a film-maker. With Lily James we have found our perfect Cinderella. She combines knockout beauty with intelligence, wit, fun and physical grace.”

Lily James told the U.K.’s Mail “To be honest, I already feel that being in Downton is a fairy tale come true, so to metamorphose into Cinderella is completely wonderful and surreal.”

The original Cinderella was thought to be Hermione Grancer, Emma Watson from the Harry Potter series, but Emma Watson turned do the role earlier in the year.

The Rebel Lady Rose will be joined in the reboot of the classic fairy tale by Cate Blanchett as her evil stepmother, Richard Madden from “Game Of Thrones” will star as Prince Charming and Helena Bonham Carter, from “Dark Shadows,” “Planet of the Apes” and the Red Queen from “Peter Pan” as the fairy godmother.

Lily James’ “Downton Abbey” co-star Sophie McShera, who plays the kitchen maid Daisy Mason, will play one of the stepsisters. The other stepsister will be played by Holliday Grainger.

Rounding out the cast in the part of Arch Grand Duke is Stellan Skargard from “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.”

It has been more than over 63 years since the original animated version of Cinderella was released by Disney.

Principal photography on Cinderella began at London’s Pinewood Studios in London. Cinderella is expected to hit theaters in 2014.