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Michelle Dockery delighted fans with joyous news at the world premiere of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, revealing that she is expecting her first child with husband Jasper Waller-Bridge.
The 42-year-old actress, best known for her role as Lady Mary Crawley in the acclaimed period drama, appeared radiant on the red carpet at the Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square, where she cradled her growing baby bump in front of flashing cameras. Dockery, wearing a floor-length gown that shimmered under the lights, looked every inch the glowing mother-to-be.
Her husband, Jasper Waller-Bridge, a successful film and television producer and brother of actress and writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge, stood proudly by her side. The couple shared affectionate moments as they posed for photographers, drawing cheers from fans who had gathered outside the cinema.
Michelle and Jasper married in September 2023 in an intimate ceremony in London, attended by close friends, family, and a handful of celebrity guests. The pair first announced their engagement through The Times, continuing a very private approach to their relationship. Despite keeping their romance largely out of the spotlight, their appearance at the Downton Abbey premiere marked one of their most public outings together, and one of their most memorable.
The announcement was met with widespread excitement from fans of the actress, who has captivated audiences around the globe since her Downton Abbey debut in 2010. Playing the headstrong and elegant Lady Mary, Dockery became one of the series’ most recognisable stars, earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her performance.
Her career has since flourished across film, stage, and television, with standout roles in Good Behavior, Defending Jacob, and Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen. Still, Downton Abbey remains the role most associated with her, and the London premiere of The Grand Finale offered a fitting stage for Dockery’s personal milestone.
Fans and co-stars alike expressed their happiness at the news, with members of the Downton Abbey cast reportedly congratulating the couple throughout the evening. One source at the event described the atmosphere as “incredibly warm and celebratory,” noting that the pregnancy announcement added an extra layer of excitement to an already emotional night.
At Wednesday’s Downton Abbey premiere, Michelle revealed she is expecting, debuting her baby bump on the red carpet alongside her husband, Jasper Waller-Bridge – Credit: Variety via Getty Images
The timing of the announcement also comes as Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is being widely promoted as the final chapter in Julian Fellowes’ much-loved saga. With the franchise drawing to a close, Dockery’s focus is likely to shift toward family life in the months ahead.
As the evening wrapped up, fans took to social media to celebrate both the premiere and Dockery’s happy news, with many posting throwbacks of Lady Mary and sharing well-wishes for the actress.
With a baby on the way and a glittering career behind her, Michelle Dockery seems poised to begin an exciting new chapter, one that has already captured the hearts of fans around the world.
