"Downton Abbey" star Sophie McShera to join Disney’s “Cinderella”

PanARMENIAN.Net - Lily James is most likely reunited with her "Downton Abbey" co-star in Kenneth Branagh's latest project "Cinderella". Sophie McShera, who takes on the role as Daisy Mason on PBS' drama series, is now in talks to play a second wicked stepsister of the orphaned and unfortunate protagonist, who will be helped by a fairy godmother to find her true love, AceShowbiz reported.

If all deals are eventually sealed, McShera will join forces with Holliday Grainger as on-screen siblings Drisella and Anastasia who often ridicule Cinderella. "Blue Jasmine" actress Cate Blanchett is already set to be the two sisters' mother, who's just as evil as her children. As for the charming prince, Richard Madden nabs that coveted role.

Aline Brosh McKenna, who wrote Anne Hathaway's rom-com "The Devil Wears Prada", comes aboard to provide the screenplay for Branagh, who served behind the lens for "Thor".

Simon Kinberg, Allison Shearmur and David Barron are signed on to co-produce the new take on the Disney classic story, which is eyeing a fall shoot in London.

Besides "Downton Abbey", McShera is also known for her portrayal of Ros McCain on BBC's "Waterloo Road", which is about lives of the school's teachers and students with social issues such as extramarital affairs, abortion, divorce, child abuse and suicide.