Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is set to grace our screens later this week, and anticipation is already building among fans of the ITV period drama series after the cast hinted at what’s to come in the franchise and the movie has been praised by the critics, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The film represents the final chapter of the franchise, with the cast stepping back into their now legendary roles for Julian Fellowes’ masterpiece.
Returning cast members include Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Raquel Cassidy, Joanne Froggatt, and many more.
Stars from previous films, such as Dominic West and Paul Giamatti, will also be making a comeback.
As the film hits cinemas, many Downton Abbey enthusiasts are eager to learn more about leading lady Dockery, 43, including details about her pregnancy and her husband.
Is Michelle Dockery pregnant?
In short, yes. The actress unveiled her baby bump at the Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale premiere in London last week.
Dockery looked stunning in an off-the-shoulder powder blue dress, which showcased her growing belly.
The Godless star gave fans another glimpse when she radiated at the New York City premiere for the film.
She wore a sparkly black gown with a similar neckline for the event in the Big Apple.
Before these red carpet events, her pregnancy had been kept under wraps, with the star being quite private about her personal life.
Who is Michelle Dockery’s husband?
Alongside her pregnancy, fans are curious to know more about the star’s significant other.
Dockery is wedded to Jasper Waller-Bridge, the younger sibling of Emmy-winning Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
The couple, Dockery and Waller-Bridge, were introduced by mutual friends in 2019.
Waller-Bridge is a music manager and producer, known for his work on the TV mini-series Camden in 2024, according to IMDb.
People magazine reports that Waller-Bridge once held the position of creative development director at the global talent management company YMU Group.
He also had stints as a record executive at Island Records and Sony Music, and managed One Direction star Louis Tomlinson.
In 2022, the couple announced their engagement in The Times and subsequently tied the knot in 2023 in a private ceremony in London.
Michelle Dockery’s heartbreaking loss
However, before finding love with Waller-Bridge, Dockery experienced a heartbreaking loss.
She was previously engaged to Dineen, a public relations director, whom she met through her co-star Allen Leech, better known to Downton fans as Tom Branson.
Sadly, Dineen was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and passed away in 2015 at the age of 34.
Dockery was by Dineen’s side during his final hours at a hospice in Ireland.
His death was particularly difficult given its similarity to Lady Mary’s storyline in Downton, where the character became a young widow following the death of her first husband Matthew Crawley (played by Dan Stevenson).
Dockery previously spoke about Dineen’s loss, telling the Guardian in 2017: « Oh, I refer to myself as a widow, yes. We were engaged, and married at heart, and so I do consider myself a widow. »
She continued by saying that she’d spent « more time in hospitals » in the year of her partner’s illness than « some people do in a lifetime ».
Dockery confessed that she « wouldn’t wish it on anyone » and admitted that after Dineen’s death she saw things « differently ».
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale will be in cinemas from September 12
