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Michelle Dockery: Lady Mary Crawley ‘enjoying single life’


Michelle Dockery says her ‘Downton Abbey’ character will be "enjoying single life" in the new series.

The 32-year-old actress stars as Lady Mary Crawley in the ITV period drama and she’s confessed that following the death of her on-screen husband and her period of mourning in the fourth series, she’s now back to her rebellious best.

She explained: "The old Mary is coming back. She’s embracing her independence, moving forwards and enjoying her single life."

Before tying the know to Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens) in the third series, Mary was a fun-loving girl determined to break the rules handed down to her by her elders and the upcoming fifth series will reportedly see a return to this behaviour.

Viewers will see Mary ask her new suitor Lord Gillingham (Tom Cullen) to join her for a dirty weekend before they’ve announced their engagement.

Michelle told The Sun newspaper: "Mary’s wit and cutting remarks are coming back. It shows she’s got her mojo back."

She added: "She’s toying with the idea of having a relationship with a man not in marriage. It’s bold."

However, Mary’s engagement to Lord Gillingham could hit a rocky patch if his jilted fiancée Mabel Lane Fox (Catherine Steadman) has anything to do with it.

The brunette beauty explained: "Mabel will cause problems for Mary.

"She’s a fantastic character because she’s this young socialite.

"Four years ago, Mary was at the top of the social ladder and when Mabel comes in, Mary kind of meets her match."