Lily James goes blonde for Pam role
As BBC drama revives memories of pair’s canoodling, an amazing photo of Lily James as Pamela Anderson
TONIGHT, she graces BBC1 screens in the drama she was making just before she had her infamous dalliance with co-star Dominic West.
But Lily James seems keen to focus fans’ attention elsewhere, by posting an arresting photograph of herself in a revealing bondage-style leather outfit.
The image she shared on Instagram on Friday comes from a forthcoming TV series in which she plays Pamela Anderson, complete with platinum-blonde shoulder-length wig. It was captioned: ‘It’s great to be blonde. With low expectations it’s very easy to surprise people.’
US streaming service Hulu was first to release the picture from their $28m show Pam And Tommy, which tells of when the Baywatch star and her husband, Motley Crue rocker Tommy Lee, had a sex tape stolen by a disgruntled employee.
A second image recreated an infamous image of Ms Anderson biting the nipple ring of her lover, who will be played by Sebastian Stan.
Critics in the US initially complained that Ms James was too ‘dull’ to play former Playboy pin-up Ms Anderson, but the furore around her canoodling with Mr West in Rome last October changed perceptions.
‘People think something like that scandal would affect her in a negative way but the opposite is true,’ said an industry source. ‘In some ways, this is her giving a massive two-fingered salute.’
And an insider on the set of the show said: ‘The first time Lily came out of her trailer in full make-up as Pamela the set ground to a halt. Jaws were hitting the floor.
‘Of course, everyone knows Lily is a beautiful girl but in Hollywood we like to think of our Brits as sexy but prim and proper. To us, Lily is Downton Abbey and Cinderella – but this is wild.’
Viewers can expect risque scenes featuring Ms James in the three episodes of The Pursuit Of Love, an adaptation of Nancy Mitford’s 1945 novel which begins at 9pm tonight.
The 32-year-old plays Linda Radlett, an aristocrat seeking love. One publicity photograph released last week showed her taking a bath with co-star Emily Beecham, who plays her character’s cousin.
In an interview to promote the BBC series this week, Ms James was asked about the Dominic West incident but said only: ‘There is a lot to say but not now, I’m afraid.’