Judi Dench

Last updated on the 9 April 2025 by Maeve

Mini Biography

Born: 9 December, 1934, Heworth, York, England.

Judi Dench, born Judith Olivia Dench, grew up in a family with a strong connection to the arts. Her father, a doctor, was also the resident physician for the York Theatre Royal, which exposed her to the world of performance from an early age. This environment nurtured her interest in acting and she later trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, where she honed her craft and prepared for a career on stage and screen.

Dench’s professional debut came in 1957 with the Old Vic Company, where she quickly gained recognition for her performances in Shakespearean roles, including Ophelia in “Hamlet” and Juliet in “Romeo and Juliet”. While her early career was rooted in theatre, she gradually transitioned to television and film. Her breakout role in cinema came with “A Room with a View” (1985), but it was her portrayal of M in the James Bond series, starting with “GoldenEye” (1995), that brought her international fame. Judi Dench’s versatility shone in films like “Shakespeare in Love” (1998), for which she won an Academy Award, and “Philomena” (2013), showcasing her ability to balance dramatic depth with subtle humour.

In her personal life, Judi Dench married actor Michael Williams in 1971 and they remained together until his passing in 2001. The couple had one daughter, Finty Williams, who also pursued acting. Dench has been romantically involved with conservationist David Mills since 2010. Despite facing challenges such as age-related macular degeneration, Dench continues to act and inspire audiences worldwide. Her enduring passion for her craft and her contributions to the arts have solidified her status as one of Britain’s most beloved and respected actresses.

WINNER | Television: Actress  (1967) | Television: Actress for Going Gently, A Fine Romance, The Cherry Orchard (1982) | Television: Light Entertainment Performance for A Fine Romance (1985) | Film: Actress in a Supporting Role for A Room With A View (1987) | Film: Actress in a Supporting Role for 84 Charing Cross Road (1988) | Television: Actress for Behaving Badly (1990) | Film: Actress in a Leading Role for Mrs Brown (1998) | Film: Actress in a Supporting Role for Shakespeare In Love (1999) | Television: Actress for Last Of The Blonde Bombshells (2001) | Film: Actress in a Leading Role for Iris (2002)

WINNER|Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in Shakespeare in Love (1998)

Suggested viewing

As Time Goes By (1992)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.3

After nearly four decades apart due to a lost letter, former lovers reunite in their golden years. One, now a successful writer, seeks a secretary from the other’s agency, leading to a rekindled romance filled with laughter, second chances and embracing the joys and challenges of love later in life.

Top cast: Judi Dench, Geoffrey Palmer, Moira Brooker, Philip Bretherton, Jenny Funnell.

A Fine Romance (1981)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.1

Two mismatched singles, a bookish translator and a shy gardener, are thrown together by a well-meaning but meddling couple. Despite their initial resistance, an unlikely connection sparks between them, leading them on a humorous and bumpy path towards love.

Top cast: Judi Dench, Michael Williams, Susan Penhaligon, Richard Warwick.

Ladies in Lavender (2004)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.0

Two elderly sisters on the Cornish coast find their peaceful lives upended when a mysterious young violinist washes ashore. As they care for him, a spark ignites, creating a web of unspoken feelings and small-town suspicion before the melody reaches a bittersweet finale.

Top cast: Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Daniel Brühl, Freddie Jones, Gregor Henderson-Begg, Miriam Margolyes, David Warner, Clive Russell, Richard Pears, Natascha McElhone, Toby Jones.

Tea With Mussolini (1999)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.9

An Italian boy raised by an eccentric group of British and American expats in pre-war Florence enjoys a charmed life filled with tea parties. However, the rise of Mussolini and the looming war shatter their idyllic world, forcing them to confront the harsh realities of a changing Italy.

Top cast: Cher, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright, Maggie Smith, Lily Tomlin, Baird Wallace, Charlie Lucas, Massimo Ghini.

Similar to

Cranford (2007)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.3

A quiet English village in the 1840s revolves around its genteel women, where gossip is a currency and traditions reign. But whispers of change arrive with a new doctor and the threat of modernisation, forcing the ladies to confront a future that disrupts their beloved routines.

Top cast: Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton, Julia McKenzie, Deborah Findlay, Barbara Flynn, Alex Etel, Jim Carter, Alex Jennings, Emma Fielding, Adrian Scarborough, Lisa Dillon, Claudie Blakley, Francesca Annis, Greg Wise, Emma Lowndes, Debra Gillett, Eileen Atkinson, Philip Glenister, Lesley Manville.

Mrs Brown (1998)

Bftv 8.5  / IMDb 7.2

“Mrs. Brown” is a historical drama film based on true events. Set in the late 1800s, it tells the story of the unlikely friendship between Queen Victoria and her Scottish servant, John Brown, following the death of her beloved husband, Prince Albert. Their bond challenges societal norms and provides solace to the grieving Queen.

Top cast: Judi Dench, Billy Connolly, Geoffrey Palmer, Antony Sher, Richard Pasco, David Westhead, Bridget McConnell, Georgie Glen.

Victoria & Abdul (2017)

Bftv 8.5  / IMDb 6.8

“Victoria & Abdul” is a historical drama based on true events. The story follows Queen Victoria of England and her unlikely friendship with Abdul Karim, a young Indian clerk. Despite societal and political pressures, their bond deepens, leading to personal transformations and challenging the norms of the British Empire. It is a tale of friendship, cultural clash and the power of human connection.

Top cast: Judi Dench, Ali Fazal, Tim Pigott-Smith, Eddie Izzard, Adeel Akhtar, Michael Gambon, Paul Higgins, Olivia Williams, Fenella Woolgar.

More Victoria

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)

Bftv 8.5  / IMDb 7.2

“The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” is a heartwarming tale about a group of British retirees who decide to spend their golden years in an exotic hotel in Jaipur, India. The hotel, however, turns out to be less glamorous than anticipated, leading to unexpected adventures, personal growth and the discovery of new friendships and love.

Top cast: Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Judi Dench, Dev Patel, Penelope Wilton, Ramona Marquez, Celia Imrie, Ronald Pickup.

Shakespeare in Love (1998)

Bftv 8.5  / IMDb 7.1

“Shakespeare in Love” is a romantic comedy set in 16th century London. The story revolves around William Shakespeare, a struggling playwright, who finds inspiration, love and comedic mishaps while writing his famous play “Romeo and Juliet.” Filled with wit, passion and theatrical charm, it immerses audiences in a world of love and creativity.

Top cast: Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Geoffrey Rush, Tom Wilkinson, Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton, Colin Firth, Ben Affleck, Simon Callow.

84 Charing Cross Road (1987)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.4

“84 Charing Cross Road” is a heartwarming true story, set from the late 1940s to the early 1970s. It revolves around the correspondence between Helene Hanff, an American writer and Frank Doel, a British bookseller. Their letters span continents and decades, forging a unique and enduring friendship centred around their shared love for literature.

Top cast: Anne Bancroft, Anthony Hopkins, Judi Dench, Jean De Baer, Maurice Denham, Eleanor David, Mercedes Ruehl, Daniel Gerroll.

Belfast (2021)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.3

“Belfast” is a semi-autobiographical film directed by Kenneth Branagh. Set in the late 1960s, it follows a young boy named Buddy and his working-class family as they face the complexities of growing up in a divided city. The film explores themes of identity, community and the power of storytelling in the face of social and political unrest.

Top cast: Jude Hill, Caitríona Balfe, Jamie Dornan, Judi Dench, Ciarán Hinds, Colin Morgan, Lara McDonnell, Lewis McAskie, Gerard Horan.

Iris (2002)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.1

A profound exploration of love, memory and loss, the film depicts the life of an acclaimed writer as she grapples with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Her relationship with her husband becomes the emotional core, revealing the challenges, tenderness and devotion in their shared journey. It contrasts moments of intellectual brilliance and vulnerability, offering a poignant glimpse into the complexities of ageing and illness. The narrative weaves past and present, portraying the impact of her fading memories on both her identity and the couple’s enduring bond.

Top cast: Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent, Kate Winslet, Hugh Bonneville, Penelope Wilton, Juliet Aubrey, Samuel West, Timothy West.

Related to

Last Of The Blonde Bombshells (2001)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.2

“Last of the Blonde Bombshells” is an uplifting film set in the 1940s about a former member of an all-female jazz band who reunites her bandmates to perform one last time. Through music and friendship, they revisit their glory days and create beautiful memories, proving that age is just a number.

Top cast: Judi Dench, Ian Holm, Leslie Caron, Olympia Dukakis, Joan Sims, Cleo Laine, Billie Whitelaw, June Whitfield.

Full filmography @ Wikipedia