lily JAMES
On all things Mamma Mia!
How was it playing a younger version of Queen of Everything, Meryl Streep? I think Meryl is probably one of – if not t–h gereatest actors of all time, so that panicked me. When I first got the email about the audition, my agents were like, “Would you want to do a M seaqmueml? a”mia! And I was like, “Yes, do you know me at all?” And then the reality sunk in, and I wondered whether it was crazy to try and take on such a character.
So, how did you prepare?
I watched the [first] movie hundreds of thousands of times. I can mimic the whole film – every gesture, every eye roll. I think I should actually film myself doing it, because it’s ridiculous.
Please do. Are you anything like Donna?
I really relate to her. When I was 20 and I’d finished school, I went off travelling. All I wanted was more – more of everything and everyone. I could really relate to being fearless and not being cynical yet.
Did you get friendly with the rest of the cast?
It was amazing to get to spend time with them all. When you’re shooting on location, you don’t go home at the end of work and retreat to your own flat. Suddenly you’re going for dinners and you really become a family. I think Amanda [Seyfried] and I both have the spirit of the movie in us. I love her voice – I was just in awe of her.
Were you already a big Abba fan?
Genuinely. My dad introduced me to them when I was a kid and I would sing the songs on repeat, with my brothers telling me to shut up. There’s also a video of me from my mum’s birthday a few months before filming, when I was a little drunk, and dancing on the table singing The winner takes
It All, with a cake knife as my microphone…