We learned her thanks to costume roles - Natasha Rostova in the series "War and Peace", Lady Rose McClair from "Downton Abbey". But Lily James is able to play and modern girls - as, for example, in the dynamic tape "On the driver", which was released on August 24.

Like many Britons, she began with theatrical roles. But already the first experience on television - Poppy in the series "The Secret Diary of a Call Girl" - brought Lily fame. Soon followed by tempting offers from Hollywood - "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies", "Cinderella" - and now the name of Lily James is constantly on the list of the most promising young actresses.

The power of dreams When you study your career, it seems that you are a very brave actress. Where does this come from - genes?.

I take your words as a compliment. (Smiling. ) Courage, probably, is born out of self-confidence. I was very lucky to grow up in a creative family. My father was an actor for a while, but more of a musician, of course: he played the guitar, sang and wrote poetry. He was a very creative person - I think that he inherited a lot from him. In gratitude chose the name of his father - James - as a stage name.

In general, I have enough acting genes (laughs): my American grandmother was an actress (Helen Horton, known for the series "Poirot" and "Miss Marple". - Prim. Red. Grandfather, a Scot, was a wonderful storyteller. This is quite comparable to acting! Everyone in my family is creative, cheerful, feeling.

Perhaps you also felt the need to somehow express yourself. When did you decide to become an actress?.

I think the desire to play has lived in me since I remember myself. Father read to us for the night different stories, introducing each hero in his own voice. When I started reading, I did the same thing. He invented fairy tales for us, and his desire for creativity in everything gave impetus to my own imagination and the desire to create something special. I did not have such a turning point, when I deliberately decided that I would be an actress. Just everything led me in this direction. Probably, the power of a dream. (Laughs). ) I always knew that my life should be related to art. I remember that I wanted to be a singer even more than an actress.

Classic genre In the new movie "On the driver" you managed to sing?.

There, almost everything is tied up with music! Edgar Wright (director). - Prim. Red. ) - music lover. He came up with a hero who perceives the world through music. I will not tell you the details, you will see for yourself. But I'm just delighted. My heroine's name is Deborah, but in my view she's Bonnie, and Kid (actor Ansel Elgort. - Prim. Red. ) - her Clyde. For me, this analogy is quite obvious. In my opinion, the film will become a classic of the genre! Although there is such a genre - a musical action? (Laughs). ) Well, it does not matter - no, so it will be. I think it's more interesting to talk about the film, when you look at it, now I'm afraid to say too much and spoil the impression!.

Lily, you have a beautiful soprano, a very nice timbre. Did you take vocal lessons for filming in Cinderella?.

Thank you. When we were recording songs, we did not practice vocal - we tried to be very careful. I often overexert the ligaments. Therefore, when I'm shooting, I need to take care of my voice. I can not stay without him, it would be terrible. Do you hear a hoarse voice now? I talked a lot today, but my voice does not like it. (Laughs). ) There was a period when I had to take steroids, probably they somehow affected the ligaments - one of the side effects of the drug. But I really want to sing, so I plan this year to start practicing vocals more seriously. And also - to return to the guitar, once I played a little. For a long time I noticed that when I'm happy, I want to sing. And when I sing, a good mood lasts longer.

The burden of glory What do you do when it's sad?.

I put some favorite album, my favorite band, I chew something delicious, forbidden, and everything passes.

Do you like traveling?.

Highly. Especially when you go somewhere for your own pleasure. Probably, from all kinds of rest I would prefer trips to other countries where you can dissolve in the crowd and feel like a completely different person. But I liked to travel and work - in places where I did not plan to get into the foreseeable future. Any travel provides an opportunity to learn the world.

Probably, after your success on television and in the cinema, is it more difficult for you to travel unnoticed?.

Not yet noticed the big changes. I manage to remain invisible on my trips. Cinderella was a blonde, and my hair is now much darker - almost my natural chestnut tint. Hair color radically changes the face and perception of you around. So, thank God, with the burden of glory while coping. (Laughs). ) If you were offered to go somewhere now, where would you like to go?.

To Colombia! (With delight. ) Exotics, music ... Latin America - a fascinating place.