Michelle Dockery and Jasper Waller-Bridge expecting first child as Downton Abbey star debuts baby bump

Michelle Dockery, best known for her role as Lady Mary Crawley in Downton Abbey, is officially expecting her first child with husband Jasper Waller-Bridge.

The 43-year-old actress revealed the exciting news at the London premiere of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale on September 3, where she graced the red carpet in a stunning blue Prada gown with a delicate chiffon cape. Walking hand in hand with Jasper, 37, Michelle proudly showcased her growing baby bump to the delight of fans and photographers.

The couple, who married in a romantic London church ceremony in 2023, are preparing to welcome their first child nearly two years after tying the knot. Jasper is the younger brother of actress and writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who attended their wedding alongside other close family and friends.

Dockery’s pregnancy coincides with exciting developments in the Downton Abbey universe. Fellow cast member Joanne Froggatt also incorporated her real-life pregnancy into the storyline of the third and final film, giving fans a glimpse of happy endings both on and off screen.

Michelle, who has played a mother on screen for years, once admitted her personal parenting style would be far warmer than Lady Mary’s aristocratic approach. “Mary wasn’t the most naturally affectionate mother,” she said in a past interview, “but real life is very different.”

Fans can look forward to seeing Michelle Dockery in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, while also celebrating this joyful new chapter in her off-screen life.