Lily James: ‘There are elements of Cinderella in War and Peace, but it turns very dark and sad’ (VIDEO)

Lily James’s newest role sees her playing Leo Tolstoy’s iconic heroine Natasha Rostova in BBC1’s adaptation of Russian classic War and Peace.

Talking to What’s on TV, the Cinderella and Downton Abbey star revealed how she approached the famous role, played previously by Hollywood legend Aubrey Hepburn.

Lily said: “I tried to keep it faithful and true to the book, really, because what Tolstoy has written is so sensational. I love the story and I love Natasha.”

She also encouraged viewers to read the notoriously weighty Russian novel for themselves: “The book’s really easy to read. There are some heavier parts to it in the war and the politics, but it’s a page-turner and I hope that translates into the TV show. I was addicted to it when I read it… I hope that [this TV show] inspires people to read it. It was an amazing experience reading this book.”

Lily added that there are some similarities to her smash-hit movie Cinderella: “I did a waltz with James Norton in a very romantic, magical dance at the Tsar’s ball. There are elements of that character [Cinderella] when Natasha is younger, but the journey Natasha goes on is completely different. It becomes very dark and sad.”

The lavish production also stars Paul Dano, Gillian Anderson, Adrian Edmondson, Rebecca Front, Brian Cox, Tom Burke, Stephen Rea and Aisling Loftus.

Lily said: “It’s an amazing ensemble cast, and everyone’s storylines weave in and out of each other's. It was amazing to be with such amazing actors.”

For the full interview with Lily James, watch the video, above. "]

War and Peace premieres on BBC1 on Sunday, January 3.

With over twenty years of experience as an entertainment journalist, Elaine writes for What’s on TV, TV Times, TV & Satellite Week and www.whattowatch.com covering a variety of programs from gardening and wildlife to documentaries and drama.

As well as active involvement in the WTW family’s social media accounts, she has been known to get chatty on the red carpet and wander into the odd podcast.

After a day of previewing TV, writing about TV and interviewing TV stars, Elaine likes nothing than to relax… by watching TV.