Downton Abbey star's 'absurdly gripping' new spy thriller will be unmissable

A new spy thriller, starring a Downton Abbey favourite, is on its way and it looks like an unmissable watch for film fans.

Relay, which first premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2024, stars actress Lily James and actor Riz Ahmed.

Many TV fans will recognise Lily as Lady Rose Aldridge, who she portrayed in Downton Abbey from 2012 until 2015. She's also famed for playing Pamela Anderson in Pam & Tommy, in addition to the title role in 2015 movie Cinderella.

In Relay, Lily stars opposite Riz as Sarah Grant, while he takes on the lead role of Tom. The cast also features Sam Worthington, Willa Fitzgerald, Matthew Maher and Victor Garber.

The movie follows Tom, who is a secretive fixer who brokers payoffs on behalf of corrupt corporations. Sarah is a potential client, who may just need his protection.

The official synopsis reads: "Like a ghost gliding invisibly through the bustling streets of Manhattan, reclusive fixer Ash (Riz Ahmed) lives a lean, solitary existence, covertly protecting corporate whistleblowers from threats to life and livelihood using a phone-to-text relay service - all while struggling to quell the internal demons that once nearly destroyed him.

"When research scientist Sarah Grant (Lily James), armed with a dossier exposing a highly carcinogenic biotech product about to hit the global market, reaches out to Ash for protection, fixer and client soon find themselves caught in an increasingly deadly game of misdirection and sleight-of-hand against a slick, ruthless team of corporate mercenaries led by Sam Worthington and Willa Fitzgerald.

"As a simmering connection develops in the silent spaces between Ash and Sarah, time quickly runs out, leading to a breathless pursuit across the city in this riveting, pulse pounding thriller."

Relay is produced by Black Bear, Thunder Road Pictures and Sigma Films. David Mackenzie takes on the role of director while Justin Piasecki wrote the film.

Relay is due to be released in US cinemas in August, but an official UK release date is yet to be announced. A full trailer has been made available via YouTube, and it's safe to say fans are already eager to watch the spy thriller.

Writing on YouTube, one fan said: "From the director of Hell or High Water is enough, but added to that we have Riz and Sam. This has the potential to be the next great action cult flick let's go!"

Another person penned on Instagram: "I need to see this. It's a masterpiece of a cast and film."

Relay is due for release in US cinemas on 22 August. An official UK release date is yet to be confirmed.