Lily James will not be returning for the Downton Abbey movie
Downton Abbey star, Lily James, has announced that she will not be returning for the period drama's feature film adaption.
James, who played the character of Rose Aldridge, told People Magazine that she will not be appearing in the film as "there was no space" for her.
The star of Disney's Cinderella (2015) explained: "My character Rose moved off to New York, so it would be farfetched to bring her back."
After years of speculation, last week Focus Features confirmed that a feature-length film of the ITV series would enter production by the end of the summer. The adaption is expected to feature much of the original cast – but not James.
James last appeared in the series in the final Christmas special, aired in 2015, but officially left the show a year earlier during the fifth series, ceasing to be a recurring character after marrying banker Atticus Aldridge (Matt Barber) and moving to New York.
The actress admitted: "I would have loved to have come back for a scene, but for a movie it can’t be like a Christmas special and it needs to be a focused storyline."
James, who stars in the forthcoming Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, holds no bitter feelings about her lack of inclusion in the film. Rather as she stated that she would be "front row" when the film was released, and gushed about the production: "It’s going to be really exciting...the whole gang is coming back."
Since departing the ITV period drama, James has gone on to star in Disney's Cinderella (2015) and the Oscar-winning Darkest Hour (2017). James also takes the lead role as Meryl Streep's younger self in the new Mamma Mia prequel, which is released in the UK on July 20.
The Downton Abbey film is reportedly entering production at the end of the summer and much of the original cast are expected to return. The screenplay has been penned by Downton Abbey creator, Julian Fellowes and will be produced by Gareth Neame and Liz Trubridge, while Brian Percival directs.
Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski said: “Since the series ended, fans of Downton have long been waiting for the Crawley family’s next chapter... We’re thrilled to join this incredible group of filmmakers, actors and craftspeople, led by Julian Fellowes and Gareth Neame, in bringing back the world of Downton to the big screen.”