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'It's a release': Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery says her latest dramatic role has helped her cope with her fiance's death

Published: 20:02 EST, 15 October 2016 | Updated: 03:03 EST, 16 October 2016

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She was heartbroken when her fiancé John Dineen died in December.

But playing a drug-taking con artist has reportedly helped Michelle Dockery deal with losing the love of her life.

The Downton Abbey star, 34, got the part of hard-drinking criminal Letty Raines in Good Behaviour just after John's death.

Couple: The Downtown Abbey star, 34, got the part of hard-drinking criminal Letty Raines in Good Behaviour just after John's (left) death

'Friends and family see you through the most difficult times,' she told the Sunday People.

'But acting can help at certain times in your life. It's a release in some sense and it was very fortunate for me that this came along at the just right time.

'It wasn't a conscious decision to do something so totally different from Lady Mary but I was hooked on the script from the first page. I loved the complexity of the character. Letty's a joy to play and a real blessing for me.'

Happier times: Michelle Dockery with partner John Dineen (pictured, left, at the Queen's cup polo final last year and, right, at the Winter Whites Gala in London in 2013)

Michelle's new role is quite the contrast from Downton's Lady Mary Crawley, which has brought global success to Essex girl Michelle.

Her fiance John died aged 34 in December and the funeral was held in County Cork, Ireland.

Michelle Dockery led mourners at the funeral and paid an emotional tribute to 'my friend, my king, my hero, my everything' before she sang his favourite song.

Far cry from Downton: Michelle in TV series Good Behaviour

A hit: Michelle achieved worldwide recognition for her work on Downton Abbey

She attended the ceremony at St James' Catholic Church near Mr Dineen's family home in the village of Waterfall, County Cork, along with his parents, siblings and friends.

During the funeral, Michelle stood at the altar and paid tribute to her partner, telling the congregation: 'I was honoured to know John. To love him and be loved by him.'

She then sang her partner's favourite song - 1930s Hammerstein favourite 'The Folks Who Live on the Hill' from the altar - on the day before what would have been his 35th birthday.