Lily Allen Movies and TV Shows: The Complete Guide (2026 Update)

Current Projects & 2026 Career Outlook

If you are looking for what she is working on right now, here is the immediate 2025-2026 slate. Lily Allen is no longer just the 'Smile' singer; she has transitioned into a formidable screen and stage presence with a focus on high-concept indies and prestige drama.

• The Materialists (Upcoming): A high-profile romantic comedy directed by Celine Song. Lily stars alongside Chris Evans and Dakota Johnson. This is her biggest Hollywood leap to date.
• Australia Tour 2026: A massive return to the stage that blends her musical roots with her new theatrical persona.
• Dreamland (Season 1): Her leading role as Mel in the Sky Atlantic series, showcasing her range as a dramatic actress.
• 2:22 A Ghost Story (Legacy): Her critically acclaimed West End debut that proved her stage viability.

Imagine walking into a West End theater, the damp London air clinging to your coat, expecting to see a pop star playing a part. Instead, you witness a woman who has completely shed her skin. You realize that the girl who sang about her brother in 2006 has evolved into a powerhouse who can command a room without a microphone. It is that 'aha' moment of realizing your own capacity for reinvention that makes Lily Allen's current trajectory so resonant for us in our late 20s and 30s. She is proving that your first act does not have to be your only act.

### Latest Signals (24h)

• New Show Alerts: Due to unprecedented demand, Lily Allen has officially added extra dates to her 2026 Australia Tour. [Source: Rolling Stone, Jan 2025]
• Couture Presence: Allen was spotted at the 2026 Haute Couture shows, signaling her continued status as a cross-industry muse.
• Materialists Production: Post-production leaks suggest a late 2025 festival run for her upcoming film with A24.

Lily Allen Movies and TV Shows: The Full List

Lily Allen's transition from music to film is not just a career move; it is a psychological rebranding of the 'Self.' For a woman who lived under the microscope of the 2000s tabloid culture, acting provides a safe container to explore different identities without the burden of 'Lily Allen' the brand. This 'Sublimation Mechanism' allows her to channel personal chaos into structured, scripted excellence.

Her filmography reflects a deliberate selection of roles that lean into the 'Working Class Heroine' or 'High Society Outcast' archetypes. By choosing projects like 'How to Build a Girl,' she validates the messy, transformative nature of the female experience. This isn't just entertainment; it's a mirror for the millennial generation that grew up alongside her. We see her succeed, and we feel a vicarious sense of professional redemption.

Television Breakthroughs & Early Screen Roles

When we talk about 'Dreamland,' we are talking about Lily Allen's most significant pivot. Set in the seaside town of Margate, the series explores family secrets and the 'black sheep' dynamic. Lily's performance as Mel is raw, unfiltered, and devoid of the 'pop star' polish. If you are catching up on her screen work, this is the essential starting point.

• Dreamland (2023): A six-episode arc where she plays the returning sister who upends her family's stability.
• How to Build a Girl (2019): A cameo as Elizabeth Taylor that showed her comedic timing and ability to play an icon.
• Elizabeth (1998): A very early, blink-and-you-miss-it role that reminds us she was always adjacent to the acting world.
• Lily Allen and Friends (2008): While more of a talk show, this proved her ability to hold a camera's attention for an hour of live broadcast.

She has managed to avoid the 'stunt casting' trap that many musicians fall into. Instead of playing herself, she disappears into roles that require vulnerability. This success is largely due to her willingness to start in indie productions and ensemble casts rather than demanding lead roles in blockbusters immediately. It is a masterclass in building a second career with humility and grit.

West End Domination: The Stage as a Turning Point

The stage is where the 'Lily Allen acting' phenomenon truly solidified. Her debut in '2:22 A Ghost Story' at the Noel Coward Theatre was a pivotal moment for West End history. In psychology, we call this 'Flow State Integration.' On stage, there is no 'edit' button. You are live, exposed, and must maintain the character's integrity for two hours.

• 2:22 A Ghost Story (2021): Played the lead role of Jenny, earning an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress. This changed the industry's perception of her entirely.
• The Pillowman (2023): A challenging role in Martin McDonagh's dark play at the Duke of York’s Theatre. This role was far more grueling and proved her stamina.
• The Materialists Influence: Her stage work directly informed her casting in the upcoming A24 film, as directors now see her as a disciplined performer rather than a celebrity.

Her ability to handle the 'Shadow Work' involved in these dark, suspenseful plays is why she is being taken seriously. She isn't just performing; she is excavating emotions. For her audience, watching her on stage is a cathartic experience. It signals that even if the world puts you in a box (like 'Pop Star'), you have the right to break out and claim a new space.

The Multi-Hyphenate Era: Music, Marriage, and Movies

There is often a confusion about whether Lily has 'given up' music for acting. The answer is a sophisticated 'no.' She has entered a phase of 'Multi-Hyphenate Mastery.' Her marriage to david harbour (of stranger things fame) has also placed her in a household where acting is the primary language, likely accelerating her craft.

• Music vs. Acting: She treats them as separate rooms in the same house. The 2026 tour shows she still values her musical legacy, but her film choices show where her ambition lies.
• The David Harbour Connection: While they haven't shared a screen yet, their red-carpet presence is the ultimate 'power couple' move for the 2020s.
• Documentary Work: Her early docs like 'From Riches to Rags' provide a meta-commentary on her transition from a business owner to a creative force.

As we look toward 2026, the question isn't whether she'll choose one path, but how she'll merge them. Her Australia tour is rumored to have theatrical elements that her previous 'It's Not Me, It's You' era lacked. She is the blueprint for the 'Pivot with Dignity.' She didn't wait to be irrelevant; she changed the game while she was still at the top.

Final Thoughts: Why We Are All Rooting for Lily

Keeping up with a career as dynamic as Lily's can feel like a full-time job. One day she's at a fashion show in Paris, the next she's filming a romantic comedy in New York, and the month after she's announcing new tour dates in Sydney. It’s a lot to track, but it’s also incredibly inspiring to see someone live so many lives in one.

If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed by your own career path, remember that Lily took a decade to find her 'acting legs.' There is no rush to have it all figured out by 30. Sometimes the most interesting parts of our filmography haven't even been written yet.

As you look for your next binge-watch or theater ticket, keep an eye on her trajectory. She is teaching us that being 'messy' in your 20s can lead to being magnificent in your 30s. Whether you're watching her in 'Dreamland' or waiting for 'The Materialists' to hit theaters, you're witnessing the evolution of a British icon. This is the 'lily allen movies and tv shows' era, and we are just getting started.

FAQ

1. What movies has Lily Allen been in?

Lily Allen has starred in several notable projects, including the TV series 'Dreamland' and the feature film 'How to Build a Girl.' She also has a major upcoming role in the A24 film 'The Materialists.' For a full list of lily allen movies and tv shows, you can check her IMDB profile which tracks her career from her early cameo in 'Elizabeth' to her current Hollywood projects.

2. Is Lily Allen still acting in 2026?

Yes, Lily Allen is very much active in 2026. She is currently balancing her acting career with a massive international music tour. Her film 'The Materialists' is expected to be a major cultural moment in late 2025/early 2026, solidifying her status as a legitimate actress.

3. What TV shows feature Lily Allen?

Her most prominent TV role is Mel in the Sky Atlantic/Sundance Now series 'Dreamland.' She also hosted her own talk show, 'Lily Allen and Friends,' and has appeared in various documentaries and guest spots across British television over the last two decades.

4. Is Lily Allen in The Materialists film?

Yes, Lily Allen is a lead cast member in 'The Materialists,' a film directed by Celine Song. She stars alongside Hollywood heavyweights Chris Evans and Dakota Johnson, marking her most significant entry into American cinema to date.

5. What was Lily Allen's first acting role?

Her very first credited acting role was a small part as a Lady in Waiting in the 1998 film 'Elizabeth.' However, her serious 'acting' career began with her West End debut in 2021, followed by her lead role in the series 'Dreamland.'

6. Lily Allen Dreamland series where to watch?

'Dreamland' is available to stream on Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK, and on Sundance Now or AMC+ in the United States. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in her dramatic range.

7. Is Lily Allen in Stranger Things with David Harbour?

While Lily Allen is married to David Harbour, who plays Jim Hopper in 'Stranger Things,' she has not appeared in the series. Fans often hope for a cameo, but she has focused on her own distinct projects like 'Dreamland' and 'The Pillowman.'

8. Lily Allen West End plays list?

Her stage credits include the highly successful '2:22 A Ghost Story' (Noel Coward Theatre) and 'The Pillowman' (Duke of York's Theatre). Her performance in '2:22' earned her a Best Actress nomination at the Olivier Awards.

9. How to Build a Girl Lily Allen role?

In 'How to Build a Girl' (2019), Lily Allen plays the role of Elizabeth Taylor. It is a comedic cameo where she appears as a figment of the protagonist's imagination, showcasing her ability to play larger-than-life icons.

10. What are Lily Allen's acting awards and nominations?

Lily Allen has been nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress for her role in '2:22 A Ghost Story.' This is considered one of the most prestigious honors in British theater, proving her legitimacy as an actress lily allen movies and tv shows fans should know about.

References

au.rollingstone.com — Lily Allen Announces New Shows For 2026 Australia Tour

facebook.com — Lily Allen's creative career has extended beyond music

imdb.com — Lily Allen - News on IMDB