Lily Collins Movies and TV Shows: Complete Guide (2025)

Few actors transition from a toddler cameo on Growing Pains to headlining a Netflix global phenomenon. Lily Collins did exactly that, building a career that spans fantasy blockbusters, period drama, and a Golden Globe-nominated turn in Emily in Paris. This guide traces her filmography, family ties, and the health advocacy that sets her apart.

Number of feature films: 15+ ·
Number of TV series: 5 ·
Most famous role: Emily Cooper in Emily in Paris ·
Age (as of 2025): 36 ·
Debut: 2009 (The Blind Side) ·
Award nominations: 1 Golden Globe, 1 Critics’ Choice

Six key facts, one pattern: Collins’ career balances mainstream studio projects and intimate indies.

What is Lily Collins best known for?

Collins vaulted to international fame as Emily Cooper in Netflix’s Emily in Paris (2020–present), a role that earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy Series. But her career started years earlier with a debut in The Blind Side (2009), where she played Collins Tuohy — a small part in a film that won an Academy Award.

Breakout role in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

• Clary Fray in the 2013 fantasy adaptation (Rotten Tomatoes)
• The film grossed over $90 million worldwide against a $60 million budget

Emily in Paris and global fame

• 50 episodes across four seasons (2020–2024) (Wikipedia – Emily in Paris)
• Collins also serves as a producer on the series

Critical acclaim in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile and Mank

• Played Elizabeth Kendall opposite Zac Efron in the 2019 Ted Bundy drama (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Cast as Rita Alexander in David Fincher’s Mank (2020), a role that put her in the awards conversation

Is Lily Collins Phil Collins’s daughter?

Yes. Lily Collins was born March 18, 1989, to English musician Phil Collins and his second wife, Jill Tavelman (Wikipedia – Lily Collins). She has spoken about her father’s absence during her childhood, but the two have since reconciled. She occasionally posts videos of herself playing his music on Instagram.

Family background: Jill Tavelman and Phil Collins

• Jill Tavelman is an American former actor and head of the Beverly Hills Women’s Club
• Phil Collins was at the height of his Genesis and solo career when Lily was born

Relationship with her father

• Collins wrote about their strained relationship in her memoir Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me. (Wikipedia – Lily Collins)
• In 2019, Phil Collins told The Guardian that he was “proud” of his daughter and regretted not being there more

Other family members

• Half-brother Nicholas Collins (born 2001) and half-sister Joely Collins (born 1972)

Is Audrey Hepburn related to Lily Collins?

No. Despite frequent online comparisons and a striking physical resemblance, Lily Collins and Audrey Hepburn are not related by blood (Wikipedia – Lily Collins). The resemblance has sparked biopic rumors for years.

No biological relation

• Hepburn was born in Belgium in 1929; Collins in England in 1989 — no family tree overlap

Physical resemblance and speculation

• Both share dark hair, arched brows, and a slim figure — a comparison Collins herself has called “flattering.”

Audrey Hepburn biopic rumors

• Collins has been suggested to play Hepburn, but no official project has been announced (Rotten Tomatoes)

Did Zac Efron and Lily Collins have a relationship?

Collins and Zac Efron co-starred in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019) and were the subject of dating rumors. Neither confirmed a relationship, and both have since moved on.

Co-stars in the Ted Bundy film

• Collins played Elizabeth Kendall, Bundy’s girlfriend; Efron played Bundy (Rotten Tomatoes)

Dating rumors during filming

• Tabloids reported they were seen together off-set, but neither publicly addressed the rumors

Current status

• Collins married filmmaker Charlie McDowell in 2021; Efron has been linked to other partners

What TV shows has Lily Collins appeared in?

Collins’ television career includes both recurring and lead roles, with Emily in Paris as the standout.

Emily in Paris (2020–present)

• Lead role as Emily Cooper — 50 episodes across 4 seasons (Wikipedia – Emily in Paris)
• Also serves as producer; Season 5 is in development

Les Misérables (2018 miniseries)

• Played Fantine in the BBC adaptation — 3 episodes (Wikipedia – List of performances)
• Received praise for her portrayal of the tragic factory worker

Calls (2021), Curb Your Enthusiasm, 90210

• Guest role on 90210 as Phoebe Abrams (2009) – 2 episodes
• Voice role in Apple TV+’s Calls (2021)
• Appeared in one episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm (2020)

Six TV credits, one pattern: Collins chooses projects that let her switch between comedy, drama, and voice work — a versatility that keeps her schedule full.

“I think the best thing you can do is to be honest and open. It’s okay to not be okay.”

– Lily Collins, speaking about her eating disorder in Unfiltered

“She’s a very determined young lady. I’m very proud of her.”

– Phil Collins, The Guardian interview (2019)

“Working with Lily was a dream. She brought so much vulnerability to the role.”

– Zac Efron on co-starring in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile

For readers following Collins’ career, the intersection of personal vulnerability and professional ambition defines her trajectory. She has used her platform to advocate for mental health and eating disorder awareness, a commitment that extends beyond press interviews.