Judi Dench ‘in tears’ while speaking about Maggie Smith’s death

7 October, 2024

Judi Dench and Maggie Smith

Judi Dench reportedly got emotional while speaking about her late friend Maggie Smith.

The Harry Potter star passed away last month at the age of 89, with her death confirmed by sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens.

While appearing at the Cheltenham Literature Festival on Saturday (October 5), Dench was asked by interviewer Brendan O’Hea about the topic of grief in the wake of Smith and fellow actor Barbara Leigh-Hunt’s deaths.

“I know I probably shouldn’t bring this up, I know the last week has been tricky for you because you lost your great friends Maggie Smith and Barbara Leigh-Hunt,” he said (via The Times), also touching upon the death of her husband Michael Williams in 2001.

Maggie Smith
Maggie Smith. CREDIT: Getty/Neil Mockford

Asked about her previous comparison of grief with petrol, Dench replied: “I suppose because the energy that’s created by grief…,” before getting lost for words in tears.

The actress spoke no further of Smith, though did explain that she plants trees in her garden in memory of friends who have passed, and that they’ve begun resembling them.

Following Smith’s death, a clip went viral from TV series Nothing Like A Dame (called Tea With The Dames outside the UK) in which the late actress appears to “turn” on her friend Dench.

“We’re going to work forever if we’re asked,” Dench says, Smith adding in a deadpan manner: “But you’re always asked first if I may say so.”

As Dench laughs, she declares: “Don’t turn on me,” before Smith jokes: “I’m turning on you…it’s all coming out now”. The group, which includes Joan Plowright, then break down in laughter.

Plowright adds: “[My agent] said, ‘Well if you do want to [act] again, we’ll look around for a nice little cameo that Judi Dench hasn’t got her paws on.’”

In the original statement announcing Smith’s death, her sons said: “An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days. We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”

The post Judi Dench ‘in tears’ while speaking about Maggie Smith’s death appeared first on NME.