Plum perfection! Michelle Dockery flaunts her slim figure in sleeveless purple frock for Downton Abbey event
Audiences last saw her Downtown Abbey character become both a mother and a widow in the shocking season finale.
And Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary Crawley, looked excited to join her castmates for an 'Evening with Downton Abbey' in North Hollywood on Monday.
The 31-year-old actress was plum perfection as she posed at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre in her sleeveless purple frock, black pumps, and gold clutch.
Alabaster beauty: Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary Crawley, looked excited to join her castmates for an 'Evening with Downton Abbey' in North Hollywood Monday
The Emmy-nominated star will officially return as the mourning mother of six-month-old baby George when season four premieres next January on PBS.
'We're almost halfway through. We're filming episodes five and six,' Michelle told the LA Times last month.
'The predicament that Mary's in now is that she does need to find someone eventually. She has the heir to Downton, and she is under pressure to find someone. In that world, women had to find someone. It was all about marriage and who you'd spend the rest of your life with.'
However, Dockery still has no clue what series creator Julian Fellowes has in store for the highest-rated drama in PBS history.
Skinny Minnie! The 31-year-old actress was plum perfection as she posed at the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre in her sleeveless purple frock, black pumps, and gold clutch
Mourning Matthew: The Emmy-nominated star will officially return as the mourning mother of six-month-old baby George when season four premieres next January on PBS
'Julian writes as he goes along, and the story develops from each set of rushes he watches,' said the raven-bobbed actress.
'It's what's wonderful to play is the whole British, stiff-upper-lip thing. You keep calm and carry on. She's not weak. She's a survivor. So she will come through it.'
The Golden Globe nominee will also appear in the air marshal thriller Non-Stop with Liam Neeson and Julianne Moore, due out February 28 of next year.
Michelle was joined at the Q&A event in the Valley by her onscreen mother, Elizabeth McGovern, who plays Cora, Countess of Grantham.
Downton in the Valley: Season four of the beloved series will officially premiere January 5, 2014 on PBS' Masterpiece Classic
Lady Grantham and Anna! Elizabeth McGovern took the plunge in a low-cut LBD and tuxedo jacket, while Joanne Froggatt flaunted her tanned pins in a grey-patterned dress
Maid, mother, and Mary: The 32-year-old blonde recently teased to Glamour that 'there's a lot of young hot men joining the cast this year'
The 51-year-old Brat Packer, who was once engaged to Sean Penn, is the lone American of the cast aside from guest star Shirley MacLaine.
McGovern rocked red lips and took the plunge in a low-cut LBD, which she paired with a classy tuxedo jacket.
Also there was tiny Joanne Froggatt, who plays head housemaid Anna May Bates, flaunting her tanned pins in a grey-patterned dress and black pumps.
The 32-year-old blonde recently teased to Glamour that 'there's a lot of young hot men joining the cast this year.'
Thomas and Ms. Hughes! Downton's Rob James-Collier sporting a shaved head and an all-black suit while Phyllis Logan easily defied her 57 years in a bizarre periwinkle dress
Wow! The Scottish actress's polished appearance was a far cry from her matronly head housekeeper
And while Dan Stevens and Siobhan Finneran have exited the series - Tom Cullen, Nigel Harman, Julian Ovendon, and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa have joined season four.
Gary Carr marks Downton's first recurring African-American actor, playing a 'charming and charismatic' young jazz singer.
The only male castmember present on Monday was Rob James-Collier, who plays closeted underbutler Thomas Barrow, sporting a shaved head and an all-black suit.
And Phyllis Logan easily defied her 57 years in a bizarre periwinkle dress under a matching cardigan.
Downton live! Creator Julian Fellowes (R) and executive producer Gareth Neame (M) represented the crew during the Q&A inside the theatre
Seeking gentlemen: Michelle revealed they've already filmed six episodes and said 'the predicament that Mary's in now is that she does need to find someone eventually'
Cheers! Dockery and her castmates enjoyed after-party drinks following the onstage event
The Scottish actress's polished appearance was a far cry from her matronly head housekeeper Elsie Hughes.
And Fellowes and executive producer Gareth Neame represented the crew during the Q&A inside the theatre.
Season four of Downton Abbey will officially premiere January 5, 2014 on PBS' Masterpiece Classic.
In the U.K., the eight-week season will air this autumn on ITV.
Shot of diversity: Gary Carr, seen here in BBC series Foyles War, marks Downton's first recurring African-American actor, playing a 'charming and charismatic' young jazz singer
They way they were: And while Dan Stevens and Siobhan Finneran have exited the series - Tom Cullen, Nigel Harman, Julian Ovendon, and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa have joined season four
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