Michelle Dockery: 'Downton Abbey fans sent me bereavement cards when Matthew died' British actress, 31, says fans of the ITV drama make a huge investment in it She has a monthly delivery of letters from viewers Says she is particularly well-contacted after pivotal on-screen events Creator Julian Fellowes killed off her on-screen husband Matthew in 2012 Matthew died in festive special immediately after the birth of his son Fellowes was accused of 'ruining Christmas' Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery says her life has become so entwined with that of her character Lady Mary Crawley that fans of the ITV drama sent her bereavement cards when her on-screen husband Matthew was killed off last Christmas. The British actress, 31, says she is hugely touched by the 'lovely' investment fans of Julian Fellowes' period drama make with the characters, and that very much enjoys being considered 'part of their lives'. Speaking to the Observer Magazine, Dockery said: 'People will consider me a part of their lives for however long Downton Abbey lasts. It's a lovely thing to feel as an actor. I get a delivery of letters about once a month. I even had bereavement cards after the last series. Michelle Dockery, left, says being such an integral part of the lives of viewers as Lady Mary Crawley - right, with her late on-screen husband Matthew, played by Dan Stevens - is 'lovely' Actor Dan Stevens as Matthew Crawley, who was killed off in a road accident during the Downton Abbey Christmas special last year - immediately after the birth of his son, George Lady Mary Crawley's on-screen husband Matthew, played by Dan Stevens, was killed off in a car crash during last year's Christmas special, after the actor decided to pursue a stage and film career in America. Downton Abbey creator Fellowes waited until Matthew had met his newborn baby - an heir named George - before sending his car careering off the road and into a ditch. The writer was accused by fans of ruining Christmas. Describing her vertiginous career trajectory as 'surreal', and explaining that she sometimes feels as if she is 'on the outside looking in', Dockery also told the Observer that in real life she sounds nothing like her character. Speaking to Olly Richards, she said: 'I'm a proud Essex girl. I'll never sound like Lady Mary, although my accent has softened over the years. But it comes back if I've had a couple of drinks or if I'm around my family.' Michelle Dockery at a TV event in California in June, left, and as Lady Mary Crawley in the third series of Downton Abbey, right Lady Mary Crawley and Matthew - played by Dan Stevens and Michelle Dockery - with their son George during the Downton Abbey 2012 Christmas special, shortly before Matthew died in a car crash The series two cast of Downton Abbey, created by Julian Fellowes Downton creator Julian Fellowes - who was accused by fans of 'ruining Christmas' when he killed off Matthew Crawley during the seasonal special last year - poses with his Emmy awards for outstanding miniseries and outstanding writing in 2011 A long way from the Abbey: Michelle Dockery in a very modern fashion shoot Michelle Dockery - known for her portrayal of the very proper Lady Mary Crawley on the hit British period drama - has shown her saucy side in a new fashion shoot for a magazine. Appearing on the cover of Boston Common magazine, Dockery wears a sheer red dress, which she is lifting up as she holds a nonchalant gaze. What would Lady Mary say? Michelle Dockery flashes a red bra as she wears matching red leather gloves in a sexy new shoot Inside the magazine, the 31-year-old actress holds another racy pose as she flaunts a red bra beneath a fitted navy coat. Wearing red lipstick and matching red leather gloves, it seems the actress is keen to prove she's nothing like her on-screen character. But inside Michelle tells the magazine she does consider Lady Mary to have 'real bite'. Good girl gone bad? Michelle Dockery poses in a sheer red gown on the cover of Boston Common, out now Red hot: Michelle looked a million miles away from her Downton Abbey character Lady Mary She explains: 'I love playing her because of her behavior at times. I find she can be quite shocking. 'She has a real bite to her that I love playing, because I don't think I could ever be that way. That's the joy of being an actor - you can tap into those sides of yourself that feel unfamiliar.' Talking about how her character Lady Mary is in mourning over the loss of her husband (played by Dan Stevens) at the dawn of the new season, she reveals how it paralleled how she felt in real life. It was just really strange not having Stevens around because three years is a long time to work with someone so closely. There was a real sense of isolation with the character in the first episode because Mary has very much retreated. She's become a bit of a recluse. It's almost how it felt for me.' That's more like it: Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary in the hit period drama Downton Abbey