New York City lit up on Monday night as the stars of Downton Abbey reunited for the glittering premiere of the final movie in the franchise.
Among them, Michelle Dockery stole the spotlight, showing off her baby bump in a stunning black gown that hugged her curves perfectly.
The 43-year-old actress, who plays the iconic Lady Mary Crawley, looked radiant as she joined her co-stars at the star-studded Jazz at Lincoln Center event.
From London Surprise to New York Glamour
Just days after revealing her pregnancy at the London premiere of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, Michelle was all smiles on the New York red carpet.
While her husband, producer Jasper Waller-Bridge, 37, accompanied her in London, Michelle opted to soak in the NYC energy alongside her onscreen family.
The actress shared a heartfelt embrace with Elizabeth McGovern, who plays her mother, Cora, Countess of Grantham, highlighting their warm real-life bond.
Elizabeth McGovern Dazzles in Bold Colors
Elizabeth, 64, made a dramatic entrance in a neon pink and orange sequin dress, radiating confidence and glamour.
The seasoned actress posed effortlessly for photos, showing she still knows how to turn heads at a major premiere.
Star-Studded Ensemble on the Red Carpet
Joining the celebration were Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith) in a chic grey dress that highlighted her elegant figure, and Joanne Froggatt (Anna Bates), who took a bold fashion risk in a strapless black dress paired with sleek wet-look hair—a stark contrast to her more conservative onscreen appearance.
Fans also caught sight of Hugh Bonneville (Lord Grantham), Allen Leech (Tom Branson), Paul Giamatti (Harold Levinson), and series creator Julian Fellowes, all beaming on the red carpet.
A Journey of Love and Resilience
Michelle’s life off-screen has been filled with both heartbreak and happiness.
She was devastated when her fiancé John Dineen passed away in 2015 at age 34 after battling a rare cancer.
Yet love found her again through Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and she and Jasper married in a romantic 2023 ceremony attended by many of her Downton Abbey co-stars.
Celebrating 15 Years of Downton Abbey
The premiere celebrated more than a movie—it marked the culmination of a 15-year journey that began with the TV series and continued through two previous films.
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, releasing September 12, is set in 1930, 18 years after the series began.
The story tackles Lady Mary’s scandalous divorce and the repercussions for her inheritance of Downton Abbey, while the family navigates financial troubles and societal pressures.
Honoring the Late Dame Maggie Smith
This film also pays tribute to the late Dame Maggie Smith, whose character, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, was beloved by fans.
Smith passed away last September, making this the first Downton project without her presence, and the film thoughtfully acknowledges her legacy.
Embracing Change at Downton
The Crawleys are once again facing a shifting world, with the next generation poised to guide Downton Abbey into the future.
As always, the series blends family drama with historical context, showcasing the challenges of maintaining wealth, reputation, and love in changing times.
Julian Fellowes Reflects on Wealth and Society
Series creator Julian Fellowes used the premiere as a chance to comment on modern attitudes toward money and success.
He highlighted the “curious double standard” in Britain, where people often resent the wealthy yet aspire to similar success.
In an interview with Radio Times, Fellowes said he finds it “ungenerous” not to admire those who achieve success, recalling his own early struggles as an actor and the respect he felt for others who thrived in the industry.