Michelle Dockery’s fairytale ending after tragedy: Downton star’s pregnancy with producer husband comes 10 years after death of Irish fiancé she called her ‘king and hero’

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In the show Downton Abbey, Michelle Dockery’s character, Lady Mary Crawley, has gone through various emotional experiences such as romance, grief, and divorce.

As devoted fans of the long-running franchise eagerly anticipate the outcome for her character in the last movie, it’s worth noting that the actress herself has found a happy ending in reality.

On the evening of Wednesday’s premier in London for Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, Michelle unexpectedly revealed her pregnancy, showing off her baby bump while walking the red carpet alongside her spouse, Jasper Waller-Bridge.

In 2023, Michelle, aged 43, and Jasper, aged 37 (who was once a talent agent for stars like Holly Willoughby and later became a co-founder of a production company), tied the knot in a romantic ceremony held in London. This couple met through a well-known connection.

It’s believed that the pair first met each other in Los Angeles back in 2019, thanks to Jasper’s sibling, Phoebe, aged 36. Notably known for her work on Fleabag, starring role, and scriptwriting for Killing Eve.

Four years following the heartbreaking demise of my partner, John Dineen, in 2015, our encounter took place.

In the year 2015, the star experienced deep sorrow upon the death of her companion, the Irish publicist John, who had fought valiantly for 15 months against a rare type of cancer before passing away at the age of 34.

In 2013, the couple crossed paths, and by early 2015, he popped the question. Yet, they never proceeded with their wedding ceremony. Interestingly, in a 2017 interview, Michelle revealed that she continued to view herself as a widow despite not being married.

Michelle acknowledged that, much like Lady Mary’s character in Downton Abbey, who lost her husband Matthew Crawley, one of her own challenges during that period mirrored Mary’s situation.

‘It was just baffling, and still is to me, that my character’s storyline was so similar.’

She stated, ‘Indeed, I refer to myself as a widow. Although we weren’t legally married, our engagement and deep emotional bond make me feel like one. It’s my first time acknowledging this, and it feels liberating to express it.’

She expressed that, two years following John’s passing, she struggles to find words to convey the emotions she experienced then and continues to feel now. She emphasized that her dedication to any other endeavor has never matched the intensity of her devotion to him.

Devastated actress Michelle was the mournful leader at the December 2015 funeral in County Cork for her fiance, where she delivered a deeply emotional eulogy calling him “my friend, my ruler, my hero, my all”. Following this, she paid tribute to him by singing his most cherished song.

At the funeral, the actress took a moment at the altar to express fond memories and tribute to her partner. She shared with the congregation, “It was an honor to know John. To love him and be loved by him.” The day before what would have been his 35th birthday, she sang his favorite song, ‘The Folks Who Live on the Hill,’ a classic from the 1930s Hammerstein collection.

She shared with the gathered mourners that she often sang a particular song to John. She pointed out that, not only was he famously tall, dark, and handsome, but he was also an exceptionally intelligent and compassionate individual.

In both his professional endeavors and private affairs, John demonstrated unwavering loyalty. It was evident that whenever you had John on your side, he stood by you firmly. I felt privileged to have known John, she expressed.

‘Adoring him and being adored by him, he was not just a friend but my leader, my champion, my all in one. We honor him, we pay tribute to him, and deeply feel his absence.’

Instead of abruptly ending a promotional tour for Downton Abbey in the U.S., she chose to be with her partner during his last moments, which were spent at a hospice close to the home of his parents, Patrick and Marie.

The couple got acquainted through Michelle’s fellow actor, Allen Leech, from Downton Abbey, as John began his new job at a consulting firm based in London.

In a previous statement, Allen, who portrays Tom Branson in the ITV period drama, expressed his thoughts about bringing John and Michelle together: “John feels like family to me, and I knew they would hit it off. Michelle is an exceptional individual – quite unlike Lady Mary in every way.

In December 2014, just prior to their engagement in February 2015, he received a diagnosis of a brain tumor.

After pioneering treatment in Germany was unsuccessful, he went home to spend time with his family.

Before his passing, Michelle maintained a resilient demeanor during television interviews for Downton Abbey, and it appeared as though only those very near to her were aware that the individual she intended to wed was being cared for in an Irish hospice.

At one point, my friend mentioned they aimed to celebrate one final Christmas together, but unfortunately, he passed away before then. They intended to get married before his health deteriorated significantly, but due to Michelle’s numerous work obligations, they were unable to carry out the wedding.

John was incredibly proud of her and greatly encouraged her to continue her efforts, yet she deeply regrets that they weren’t able to get married before things took a turn.

After suffering a loss, Michelle dedicated herself to her career, completing the Downton TV series in 2015 and transitioning to U.S. small-screen dramas such as Good Behavior and Anatomy of a Scandal, while also engaging in stage productions. Eventually, she reprised her role as Lady Mary in the Downton movies.

At the 2019 promotion event for the first Downton Abbey film, during the Rome Film Festival, whispers about my budding relationship with Jasper started circulating among the crowd.

The pair’s relationship became public knowledge a month after that Rome trip. 

Michelle, originally from Romford, Essex, and later born in West London, moved to a spacious £1.9 million terraced house in north London amidst the pandemic. From their home’s entrance, they took part in the Clap for Carers initiative.

Then in January 2022 they revealed they were to marry via an announcement in The Times newspaper.

A short while after getting engaged, they attended the world premiere of Michelle’s miniseries “Anatomy Of A Scandal” on the red carpet in London for their first public appearance together.

Approximately a year had passed, and Michelle’s fellow actors from Downton Abbey, including Jasper’s sister Phoebe, gathered to celebrate her wedding at a private ceremony held in the charming district of Chiswick, situated in the western part of London.

Following some drinks prior to the ceremony at a nearby pub, the couple swore their vows at the church, and then continued the celebration in a manner reminiscent of Downton Abbey by hosting their reception at the grand Orleans House Gallery in Twickenham.

The exquisite, Baroque-adorned Octagon room, listed as Grade 1, served as an enchanting backdrop for the magical event we celebrated.

Michelle’s wedding and her subsequent pregnancy signify a joyful conclusion in her life, much like how Downton Abbey brings its story to an end permanently.

In a recent chat, the actress expressed that following 15 years portraying Lady Mary, she’s grown accustomed to going with the flow regarding her upcoming roles, articulating her newfound sense of liberation as, ‘I’ve come to embrace letting events unfold on their own.’

‘Hold things lightly, and let them just take their course.’

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2025-09-04 13:49