Quotes from Lily James

I used to go to musicals every birthday - that was my birthday present. We'd go to London, me and my two brothers and mum and dad. I think I saw 'Mamma Mia' about five times.

You have to pretend to be cool, which I never am.

The Twenties outfits are all about freedom and loose, flowing lines, whereas in 'Cinderella,' I had to wear corsets and big huge skirts.

I'm such a geek now with princesses. It's pathetic.

I loved all the princess films, and I grew up with them, and I think it's really cool how they've changed over the years - how the princesses have become more positive role models right up until 'Frozen.'

Sadly, I've never met Princess Kate.

I remember meeting the princesses at Disney World and getting their autographs.

People talk a lot about, 'You're a Disney princess! You're Cinderella!' and this and that. But for me, it's all about the fact that I worked with Cate Blanchett and was directed by Kenneth Branagh. That's the 'Cinderella' story for me.

I want to do more theater, which allows you to take bigger risks and experiment.

The world of the flapper - live free, wild and young - that energy is intoxicating. It's nice to inject that into the more controlled 'Downton' way of living.

It's pretty disabling sometimes, the terror of not living up. My expectations are the worst.

My first paid role was my first job out of drama school, which was 'Just William.' It was a BBC TV show. I played Ethel.

In anything, I always give my all. I'm not a good loser.

I think it's so important to be healthy and confident and natural. And not put too much stress on trying to be thin - I don't get the thin, thin thing at all.

I never thought I would say this, but I'm desperate to do an action film.

The greatest thing is that usually the auditions you think are bad are the ones you get.

I don't have an exact moment when I decided I wanted to be an actress - it kind of was just really a part of my growing up.

I think it's probably best to work out in the morning to get it out of the way. My ultimate top tip is to drag yourself, even if you have to roll yourself out of your bed and in to a sit-up - it's really not that bad once you start.

With corsets, it's interesting when you put them on, realizing that's what women actually wore. They're just so constricting.

I really have been lucky because I've always had a very healthy attitude to my body.

I have an amazing stylist; she's called Rebecca Corbin Murray... I go around to her living room, and it's sort of exploding with dresses, and we go through them all, and she's so good at picking things she knows I'll like, and we work together. She's taught me absolutely everything; she's brilliant.

I'm dying to do a tiny indie and play something totally naturalistic without any sort of constraints on me. Something where I can shock everyone.

Diet Coke is the only way I get through filming because I get so tired.

To be honest, when I was growing up - I think it's because of Kate Winslet and 'Titanic' - I always wanted to do period.