Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery debuts pregnancy bump at premiere

Michelle Dockery has announced she is pregnant with her first child, proudly debuting her baby bump alongside husband Jasper Waller-Bridge at the Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale premiere. The actress, 43, and film producer Jasper, 37, looked smitten as theyhit the red carpet at London's Odeon Luxe Leicester Square. Michelle - best known for her role as Lady Mary Crawley in the hit ITV drama - showed off her blossoming bump in a floor-length off-the-shoulder blue gown.

Her glamorous dress featured a dramatic cape, and her dark hair was swept elegantly back off her face. The actress and Jasper tied the knot in September 2023 in a private ceremony in London after announcing their engagement in The Times. On the red carpet, she appeared radiant, cradling her bump while smiling alongside Jasper, the brother of Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Michelle has been the face of Lady Mary Crawley ever since Downton Abbey first hit ITV screens in 2010, quickly becoming one of the show's most iconic characters.

This week, the cast reunited to mark the end of an era, celebrating the franchise after 15 years of drama, three hit films, and worldwide acclaim.

The latest instalment, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, arrives in cinemas on September 12.

Set in 1930, it picks up 18 years after the opening episode and follows the Crawley family grappling with the fallout of the Wall Street Crash and Lady Mary's shocking divorce.

The actress and Jasper tied the knot in September 2023 in a private ceremony in London after announcing their engagement in The Times.

Their romance began four years after Michelle suffered unimaginable heartbreak when her fiancé, John Dineen, died from a rare form of cancer.

Friends said at the time that Michelle poured herself into her work on Downton Abbey but never stopped mourning John, who was just 34 when he passed away.

The actress's engagement to Jasper was announced in January 2022 in a traditional listing in The Times, which read: "The engagement is announced between Jasper, son of Michael Waller-Bridge of King's Lynn, Norfolk, and Teresa Waller-Bridge of Battersea, London, and Michelle Dockery, younger daughter of Michael and Lorraine Dockery of Gidea Park, Essex."

The wedding the following year was an intimate affair attended by family and close friends, with Michelle said to have been overjoyed to find happiness again.

And fans have been gushing over the star's red carpet reveal. One posted online: "Talented and beautiful actress! Congratulations! Best Wishes!" and "Wonderful news about Michelle after she's been through so much personal grief and heartache."

A thrid added: "I remember thinking at the time thinking how awful what happened to her fiancé was, lovely to see this outcome."