Current 50++ Downton Abbey Lily James Movies. Lily james was born lily chloe ninette thomson in esher, surrey, to ninette (mantle), an actress, and jamie thomson, an actor and musician. Lily james, who played lady rose in the latter seasons of the series, shared with people that she will not appear in the film. Her grandmother, helen horton, was an american actress. James might surprise downton abbey fans in mamma mia!