‘Downton Abbey’ star begins filming new ‘Mamma Mia!’ sequel
Lily James has shared a sneak peek image from the set of Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!.
Written and directed by Ol Parker (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), the movie will arrive in cinemas on 20 July 2018.
The sequel to Mamma Mia! will star Lily James as the young version of Donna, Meryl Streep’s character, in flashbacks.
Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! will go “back and forth in time to show how relationships forged in the past resonate in the present.”
Lily James played Lady Rose in Downton Abbey and has since starred in Cinderella, Baby Driver and the BBC’s War & Peace adaptation.
The 28-year-old English actress shared this photo on Instagram to confirm the start of filming:
Adapted from the 1999 West End musical of the same name and based on the songs of Swedish pop group ABBA, Mamma Mia! was released in cinemas back in 2008 and made over $600 million.
The movie is available to buy on DVD.
Lily James will be joined in Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! by original cast members Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Christine Baranski, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan and Dominic Cooper.
Alexa Davies (Harlots) will play a young version of Julie Walters’ character, Rosie, and War Horse star Jeremy Irvine will play a young version of Pierce Brosnan’s character, Sam.
Returning Mamma Mia! star Dominic Cooper recently commented: “I thought it was going to resurface much more quickly than this, but what’s great is that they’ve waited.
“They’ve waited for a script to come along that makes sense and is fun and is gonna be as exciting for fans of the original, and that’s really important.”