Michelle Dockery, best known for playing Lady Mary Crawley in Downton Abbey, has experienced both heartbreak and happiness in her personal life. She was once engaged to John Dineen, an Irish PR executive, but tragically lost him to a rare form of cancer in 2015 when he was just 34. Michelle described herself as a widow, saying their bond felt like a marriage at heart and that his positivity gave her strength during that difficult time.
After years of mourning, Michelle found love again with producer and talent manager Jasper Waller-Bridge, the brother of Phoebe Waller-Bridge. They were introduced by mutual friends in London, and their relationship grew quietly. The couple became engaged in January 2022 and tied the knot in September 2023 at St. Nicholas Church in Chiswick, West London. Their wedding photos showed them celebrating amid confetti and cheers, though they generally keep their private life low-key.
Recently, Michelle shared an exciting update. At the world premiere of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale in London, she walked the red carpet in a dusty blue gown and proudly revealed her baby bump. At 43, she and Jasper Waller-Bridge are expecting their first child together, marking a joyful new chapter in her life.
Michelle continues to balance her private life with her career. She rose to international fame as Lady Mary Crawley in Downton Abbey and reprised the role in the films Downton Abbey and Downton Abbey: A New Era. She also stars in the upcoming Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, set for release on September 12, 2025. Beyond Downton Abbey, her work includes roles in films and series such as Anna Karenina, The Gentlemen, Godless, Defending Jacob, and Anatomy of a Scandal.
