This Town viewers were left in tears watching Michelle Dockery’s “breathtaking” rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow in her hit new BBC series.
The 42-year-old actress, who played Lady Mary Crawley in Downtown Abbey, currently stars as Estella in the six-part series.
The series – created by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight – follows the rise of a band in 1980s Birmingham and how ska music united young people from different backgrounds amid growing political unrest.
In last night’s episode, Estella – who is the mother of band member Bardon Quinn and struggles with addiction – pays a heartfelt tribute to her mother at her funeral.
Standing behind the coffin, Estella told her conflicted family: “Hymns are all well and good, but I’m here to say goodbye to my mother in my own way. As she would have liked.
Pictured: Michelle Dockery playing Estella in new BBC series This Town, from the creator of Peaky Blinders
“I’m going to sing his favorite song. When I was little and I sang it, she always cried.
Despite Bardon’s attempts to stop her, Estella begins to shyly sing – much to the discomfort of the mourners.
However, those in attendance gave Estella a standing ovation at the end and the emotional performance moved many to tears.
The performance had a similar effect on viewers – with several shares on X, formerly known as Twitter, being equally moved.
One wrote: “That was fucking sensational from Michelle Dockery. I had a tear in my eye. Well done!!!’
Using a crying emoji, another added: “Michelle Dockery singing Over the Rainbow in This Town was beautiful. »
A third asked: “Is anyone else fascinated by this?” » Meanwhile, a fourth exclaimed: “Michelle Dockery can sing!”
Calling it “amazing”, a fifth said: “This is how Somewhere Over the Rainbow should be sung – not perfect but full of pain, longing and lost dreams.”
The performance had a similar effect on viewers – with several sharing on X, formerly known as Twitter, being equally moved.
In June 2022, Michelle performed as part of a folk duo with her Downton Abbey co-star Michael Fox.
Their four-song EP, released that summer, featured Chris Mass of Mumford and Sons on percussion and Tommy Heap of Willy Mason on piano and drums.
Speaking about their new venture, Michelle said earlier this year: “There was something about that time after the show (Downton) ended… About looking at something with fresh eyes and feeling nervous about what lies ahead.
“Then all of a sudden we were just writing music.”
She added: “It’s a whole different set of skills and vulnerabilities; Acting tends to start with what is already written on the page. Music can start anywhere. It’s different and very liberating.
The series – created by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight – follows the rise of a band in 1980s Birmingham and how ska music united young people from different backgrounds amid growing political unrest.
Michelle has previously performed at the London Jazz Festival and with Ronnie Scott, while Michael has previously written and released indie folk and electronica records.
Set in a world of family bonds, teenage kicks and the exhilarating music of a generation, This Town tells the story of the formation of a band against a backdrop of violence, capturing how creative genius can emerge from a time of madness.
Speaking in 2022, Steven – who grew up in Walsall, West Midlands – described his new series as a passion project.
“It’s a project that is close to my heart,” he told the BBC. “It’s about an era that I’ve lived through and know well and it involves characters that I feel like I grew up with.
“It’s a love letter to Birmingham and Coventry but I hope people around the world can relate to it.”
It was filmed on location in the Birmingham area and at Steven’s new Digbeth Loc. Film and television studios.
Part high-octane thriller, part family saga, This Town begins in 1981, at a time of enormous social tension and unrest.
In this context, it tells the story of a group of young people struggling to choose their own path in life, and everyone needs the second chance that music offers.