- In a revealing new interview, Lily James opens up about her fears of surveillance, which inspired her role in the new thriller Relay.
- The actress stands by her controversial portrayal of Pamela Anderson in Pam & Tommy, stating it was made with “love and integrity.”
- James shares a surprising family connection to a classic sci-fi film, revealing her grandmother was the voice of the ship’s computer in Alien.
- She admits to feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of fame, confessing that the job is about more than just acting.
A Career Forged in Bold Decisions
Lily James is no longer waiting for her life to happen. A decade after her breakout role in Disney’s Cinderella, the 36-year-old actress reflects on her early impatience to shed the “young ingénue” label. That desire has since carved out one of the most unpredictable and fascinating careers of her generation, spanning from the action-packed Baby Driver to the heart-wrenching drama The Iron Claw and her transformative role as Pamela Anderson.
“I crave challenges,” James explained, noting her desire to take on roles people can’t imagine her in. This ethos led her to her latest project, the conspiracy thriller Relay, where she stars opposite Riz Ahmed.
The Frightening Reality of Surveillance
In Relay, James plays a woman being intensely monitored, a theme that strikes a personal chord. The actress has spent years in the public eye, often finding herself in the gossip pages. “I definitely haven’t evaded being surveilled,” James admitted. “I’m a person in the public eye, and it’s a very real fear – you’re being watched and photographed so often that it’s not just paranoia in the slightest.”
She believes this loss of privacy is a universal modern fear. “Our phones are listening to us, it’s just our reality,” she stated. “Nothing is private now. I think it’s a very frightening time.”
Standing By ‘Pam & Tommy’
One of her most talked-about roles was her portrayal of Pamela Anderson in the 2022 series Pam & Tommy. The show faced criticism for proceeding without Anderson’s involvement, but James stands by the project with no regrets.
“There’s always a sensitivity around playing someone real, and rightly so,” James said, acknowledging the huge responsibility. “I knew we were championing and honouring her story, and I know it was made with such love and integrity and a commitment to truth. I’m proud of the story that we put out, and I’m so in awe of Pamela Anderson and the woman that she is.”
A Surprising Hollywood Heritage
While discussing her inspirations, James shared a remarkable piece of family history. Her grandmother was American actor Helen Horton, who famously voiced Mother, the Nostromo’s ship computer, in Ridley Scott’s 1979 masterpiece, Alien.
“Every time I watch Alien, I go, ‘my God, that’s my grandma!’” she exclaimed. It’s a piece of trivia she once used to her advantage. “The only time I’ve really played that card was to impress Edgar Wright,” she laughed, referring to her audition for Baby Driver.
Despite the overwhelming pressures that come with her career, James finds her purpose when the cameras roll. “You act opposite a brilliant actor like Riz or Sebastian Stan, and everything else falls away. I’m so lucky that I get to show up and do this.”
Image Referance: https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/features/lily-james-interview-relay-pamela-anderson-b2856149.html