Defending Jacob Cast Michelle Dockery Net Worth, Relationship, & Career: 7 Facts Here

Emmy nominated actress Michelle Dockery rose to prominence with her performance as Lady Mary Crawley in the television series Downton Abbey. Besides television and movie works, Dockery is also equally active in stage productions, earning nominations from various prestigious awards.  

Recently, Dockery played the lead roles in the series Good Behavior and Netflix's Godless, receiving yet another Emmy nomination. Here are seven interesting facts about the Downton Abbey star.

7. What nationality is Michelle Dockery?

Michelle Dockery is British; she was born on Rush Green, London, England. However, her father, Michael Dockery, is Irish and was born in Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland. 

He works as a surveyor while Michelle's mother, Lorraine Witton, who grew up in Stepney, East London, works as a care home assistant.

Dockery enjoyed her childhood in a small Essex town, Romford, with her two elder sisters: Louise Dockery and Joanne Dockery. Having picked up a strong estuary accent while growing up in Romford, she considers herself an "Essex girl." 

"I had a very strong Essex accent when I was younger, and I don’t think I would have got the role of Lady Mary if I'd walked into the audition going, “Allo, nice ter meet ya!”’, she exclaimed in an interview with Hello Magazine. 

6. Her Guilty Pleasure is the Reality Show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians 

It isn't the chocolate or the junk foods the 38 years old actress has a hard time resisting; it's Kardashian's reality television show that has her feeling content and tinged with guilt at the same time.

Seems like Dockery and Friends alum Jennifer Aniston are on the same wavelength since she too had confessed about being "very interested" in the show that focuses on the life of Kardashian sisters: Kourtney Kardashian, Kim Kardashian West, Khloé Kardashian, and their half-sisters: Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner.

Besides, Dockery is also interested in inviting renowned celebrities like Celine Dion to her dream dinner party. 

5. She is an Accomplished Jazz Singer

The 38 years old actress is a trained singer. She has frequently sung at famous Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, including the club's 50th Anniversary. Dockery has also made an appearance as a jazz singer at several festivals. 

Moreover, in collaboration with her Downton Abbey co-star Elizabeth McGovern, she has occasionally sung in the band Sadie and the Hotheads. 

4. Considers Downton Abbey a Transatlantic Show 

Michelle Dockery played Lady Mary Crawley in the highly acclaimed television series Downton Abbey. Dockery's character is the eldest daughter of Robert Crawley and Cora Crawley, performed by actors Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern, respectively.

Dockery gained international prominence with her performance as Lady Mary Crawley in the series. The 38 years old actress went on to earn three consecutive Emmy Award nominations in the category for outstanding lead actress, from 2012 to 2014. In 2013, Dockery also received a Golden Globe nomination.

She cites the show as transatlantic because of the incident in a tea shop at Greenwich Village café, New York. A couple approached her for having noticed Dockery while watching the series. 

"I think the first time I realized Downton Abbey was a hit when the couple next to me were talking about Downton Abbey, and then they recognized me." she said with Vanity Fair. 

3. Has a Net Worth of $4 Million

Dockery made her professional debut with the play His Dark Materials at the Royal National Theatre back in 2004. Since then, the 38 years old actress has appeared in numerous stage production. 

Just a year later, in 2005, Dockery made her television debut with the series Fingersmith. Currently, she has worked in altogether 22 television shows, with most recent being Defending Jacob.

Appearing in movies like Anna Karenina, Hanna, The Gentlemen, Downton Abbey along with a flourishing musical career and television performance can be credited in Dockery's $4 million net worth. 

2. Dockery's Partner Died From a Rare Form of Cancer

Dockery met her former partner John Dineen, a public relations executive, in 2013 through her Downton Abbey co-star, Allen Leech. 

Dockery and Dineen remained private about their dating life. The Telegraph reported the couple engagement in early 2015; however, they never made it down the aisle. 

On December 13, 2015, Dineen died unexpectedly from a rare form of cancer in Marymount Hospice in Ireland. 

She prefers not to talk much about Dineen in public; in a conversation with The Guardian, Dockery stated, 

"Oh, I refer to myself as a widow, yes. We were engaged, and married at heart, and so I do consider myself a widow. It’s why I related to Alice so much.That’s the first time I’ve said that, and it’s a bit of a relief to say so." 

In December of 2019, Daily Mail reported that Dockery and Jasper Waller-Bridge are in a relationship after being introduced via a mutual friend. 

Jasper is the younger brother of Fleabag actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge and works as a music manager. It is Dockery's first relationship since the tragedy. 

1. Is One of the Main Cast of Upcoming Series Defending Jacob

Michelle Dockery will play Laurie Barber in an upcoming crime drama television miniseries, Defending Jacob. In the series, Dockery's character is the mother of Jacob Barber, played by Jaeden Martell, and the spouse of Andy Barber, played by Chris Evans. 

The television series is scheduled to premiere on April 24, 2020, and features actors as Cherry Jones, Pablo Schreiber, Betty Gabriel, Sakina Jaffrey, Betty Gabriel, and J. K. Simmons.

As of 2021, Michelle Dockery is all set to play the role of Kate Woodcroft QC in the upcoming Netfilx series Anatomy of a Scandal. The series set in Westminster, London, is about the aftermath when a politician is accused of a sexual assault.  

The show has a stellar cast that includes Rupert Friend, Sienna Miller, Naomi Scott, and the newcomer  Riyonn Farsad.