Downton Abbey starlet Lily James lands lead role in Disney's live action remake of Cinderella

It's the role which hundreds of young actresses were desperate to land.

But now it has been revealed that Downton Abbey beauty Lily James has been cast in the lead role in Disney's live action adaptation of classic fairytale Cinderella.

Lily, 24, will be starring alongside Cate Blanchett, who will play Cinderella's evil stepmother, the studio has confirmed.

New role: Lily James has been cast in the lead role of Cinderella in Disney's live action remake of the classic fairytale

The role of Prince Charming has yet to be cast, while Disney are also looking for the perfect stars to play the ugly stepsisters.

Stunning young actress Lily is most well-known for playing Lady Rose MacClare in the third series of Downton Abbey, but also starred in films including Fast Girls and Wrath of the Titans, as well as Billie Piper's TV show Secret Diary of a Call Girl.

Lily landed the role after Harry Potter actress Emma Watson turned down the chance to play the fairytale princess back in March.

Screen star: Lily is arguably most famous for playing Lady Rose MacClare in the third series of Downton Abbey, set in the 1920s

Multi-talented: Lily also starred as an Olympic sprinter in 2012 movie Fast Grls

Cinderella marks Disney's latest live action fairytale movie following the success of Alice in Wonderland and James Franco-starring Oz the Great and Powerful.

The studio will next release Maleficent, starring Angelina Jolie as the Sleeping Beauty villainess, and has also ordered a script for Beauty and the Beast from Trance writer Joe Ahearne.

The film will be directed by Thor helmer Kenneth Branagh based on a script from Chris Weitz and pitch by Aline Brosh McKenna.