Cressida Bonas to star in new drama from Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes

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Star, 26, cast in Doctor Thorne from Downton Abbey's Julian Fellowes
Will play confidante to Stefanie Martini's character Mary in ITV show
Cressida made her screen debut in 2009 with a small role in Trinity
She played a cheerleader - but it was dubbed 'tawdry'

Published: 08:03 EST, 16 September 2015 | Updated: 18:11 EST, 16 September 2015

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She's made no secret of her desire to conquer Hollywood and it seems that fledgling actress Cressida Bonas' dreams are becoming a reality.

The 26-year-old, who has received critical acclaim for her acting talents, is to return to the small screen after being cast in Doctor Thorne, the new period drama from Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes.

The thespian, who dated Prince Harry until they split in April 2014, will play the friend and confidante to Stefanie Martini’s character Mary in ITV’s new show, which has been adapted from Anthony Trollope’s novel of the same name.

Budding actress Cressida Bonas has been snapped up to star in a new drama from Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes called Doctor Thorne

Bonas, who has appeared on stage and will star in Justin Chadwick’s drama Tulip Fever alongside Dane DeHaan, Christoph Waltz and Dame Judi Dench, joins the star-studded cast, which includes Rev star Tom Hollander and Ian McShane.

The Thick Of It’s Rebecca Front, Scottish actor Richard McCabe and Phoebe Nicholls have also signed on for roles in Doctor Thorne, alongside American actress Alison Brie, who starred in Mad Men and Community.

Hollander, best known for playing inner city clergyman Reverend Adam Smallbone in the BBC sitcom, is to swap the vicar’s dog collar for a stethoscope to portray Dr Thomas Thorne, who lives in the village of Greshamsbury in Barsetshire, with his penniless niece Mary.

Fellowes said: 'Doctor Thorne is a wonderful example of Trollope’s gift for understanding the tangles we humans get into.

'He is sharply observant, critical and merciful in equal measure and, above all, highly entertaining. With the cast we have assembled, I am confident we can bring all of these qualities to the screen.'

Speaking about his new offering, Julian Fellowes said: 'Doctor Thorne is a wonderful example of Trollope’s gift for understanding the tangles we humans get into'

Cressida won critical acclaim for her turn in An Evening With Lucian Freud earlier this year

Doctor Thorne follows the consequences when Mary falls in love with Frank Gresham (Harry Richardson), the only son of the local squire.

The three-part drama, which is directed by Niall McCormick, begins later this month.

Cressida made her screen debut in 2009 with a small role in the TV series Trinity, where she played a cheerleader.

The star partner donned a midriff-baring cheerleader uniform in the 2009 drama Trinity, which aimed to be the UK's answer to hit show Gossip Girl, only to be axed after just one series when it failed to attract viewers.

She also appeared as one of a group of female students escorted into a bedroom full of young men, who offer sexual favours in return for votes.

Cressida Bonas and Freddie Fox attend a BAFTA Special Screening of Big Eyes hosted by Harvey Weinstein at Soho Hotel in January

Aged just 20 at the time, aspiring dancer Miss Bonas bagged the cameo role through her half-sister Isabella Calthorpe - who had a lead role in the drama.

Miss Bonas appeared on screen for just two minutes in the fourth episode of the ITV2 programme, which was not recommissioned after its eight-part run.

As part of her short cameo role, blonde Miss Bonas joined a group of other young women, all dressed in the sexy Superman-style costumes, and performed a cheerleading routine.

She played one of a group of young women who entered a bedroom full of male students where one of the boys told a friend dancing alongside Miss Bonas to wash her intimate area as 'it's election week', according to newspaper The Sun.