Michelle Dockery, the 44-year-old Downton Abbey star, stepped out with her husband, Jasper Waller-Bridge, on Tuesday evening. The couple made their first joint appearance since announcing their first child at the press night for the play 1536 at London’s Ambassador Theatre.
Rare Public Outing
Dockery, dressed in a stylish all-black ensemble, cozied up to Waller-Bridge as they exited the theater. The television producer, 38, is the brother of Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge. The pair, who met in 2019 through mutual friends, tied the knot in 2023 amid a celebrity-filled ceremony. Attendees included Dockery’s Downton Abbey co-stars Lily James, Hugh Bonneville, and Laura Carmichael, who served as bridesmaid.
Pregnancy Announcement
Dockery first showcased her baby bump in September at the London premiere of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. She wore a dusky blue gown that highlighted her pregnancy. Reflecting on her iconic role as Lady Mary Crawley, Dockery shared: “I don’t think I will ever say goodbye to Mary or Downton. Mary will always be part of me, as will Downton Abbey as a whole. We are such a family that, for us, it never really ends.”
During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to promote the film, she discussed her pregnancy, stating: “I’m feeling great thanks. I’m entering my peppy phase.”
Relationship Timeline
The couple’s engagement was announced in January 2022 via The Times newspaper. It noted: “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.”
Dockery was previously engaged to PR director John Dineen, who passed away from a rare cancer in 2015.
Personal Backgrounds
Born in Romford, Essex, Dockery is the daughter of care home assistant Lorraine from Stepney, East London, and surveyor Michael from Athlone, Ireland. Waller-Bridge grew up in West London; his parents are Teresa and Michael, now married to designer Rosemary Goodenough.
Upcoming Projects and Accolades
Dockery’s next role casts her as former British Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman in The Queen of Fashion, a biopic about stylist Isabella Blow. The actress has earned three consecutive Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe nod for her performances.
