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| Michelle Dockery to Welcome First Child While Downton Abbey Bids Farewell |
Michelle Dockery Announces Pregnancy as Downton Abbey Bids Farewell
LONDON — British actress Michelle Dockery, famed for her role as Lady Mary Crawley in the hit period drama Downton Abbey, has shared joyful news that she is expecting her first child with husband Jasper Waller-Bridge. The announcement coincides with the release of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, which brings the long-running story of the Crawley family to its conclusion.
Speaking with Jenna Bush Hager on NBC’s TODAY show on September 9, Dockery described this phase of her life as “a new chapter.” She added with a smile, “I’m very excited, both personally and professionally.”
The actress first revealed her pregnancy at the world premiere of the film on September 3 in London, where she walked the red carpet in a dusty blue gown, accompanied by Waller-Bridge.
Dockery’s personal journey has been shaped by loss and renewal. Her former fiancé John Dineen passed away in 2015. Four years later, she met Jasper Waller-Bridge — younger brother of Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge — through mutual friends. The pair announced their engagement in early 2022 and tied the knot in September 2023 at St Nicholas’ Church in West London, surrounded by loved ones and Downton Abbey co-stars.
Jasper Waller-Bridge has established his career across the fields of music and television, having previously worked with Island Records, Sony Music, and the YMU Group.Together, the couple co-founded Day One Pictures, a production company dedicated to music-centered projects. One of their first collaborations, the Disney+ mini-series Camden, premiered in 2024.
Looking back on the journey of Downton Abbey, Dockery fondly highlighted the close friendships that grew among the cast.We’ve become like a family, and that bond continues beyond the series,” she noted.
Now, as the curtain falls on one of television’s most beloved dramas, Michelle Dockery steps into a new phase of life — balancing her career achievements with the excitement of starting a family.