Dame Judi Dench has opened up about her deep sense of grief following the recent passing of her close friend and fellow actress, Dame Maggie Smith, who died last week at the age of 89. Dench, who had shared a long and rich professional and personal relationship with Smith, was asked about her feelings during an appearance at the Cheltenham Literature Festival. The interview was conducted by actor Brendan O’Hea, and though the conversation touched on many aspects of Dame Judi’s life and career, it became emotional when the subject of grief was raised.
Dame Maggie Smith, a beloved figure on stage and screen, was widely regarded for her remarkable talents and wit. She was particularly well-known for her roles as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films and the Dowager Countess Violet Crawley in the hit TV series Downton Abbey. Her death marked the end of a glittering career that spanned over eight decades, and tributes poured in from across the entertainment world and beyond. King Charles III referred to her as a “national treasure,” and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described her as “beloved by so many for her great talent.”
During the festival interview, O’Hea referred to Dame Judi’s past comments about coping with loss, particularly how she once described grief as something akin to petrol. Dame Judi had previously explained how the energy that grief produces can be channeled into her acting work, helping her to cope with the pain. In the interview, O’Hea gently inquired if Dame Judi could expand on that analogy, but she appeared to be overcome by emotion and did not fully elaborate, instead trailing off and reflecting on the complexity of the subject. “I suppose because the energy that’s created by grief…,” she began, but left the thought unfinished.
The two Dames, Smith and Dench, had known each other for decades and were the same age, both born in 1934. Over the years, they had collaborated on various projects, including the 2004 film Ladies in Lavender, a gentle drama in which they played sisters living in a coastal village. In 2015, they both appeared in The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, the sequel to the 2011 comedy-drama. They also featured together in the 2018 documentary Nothing Like a Dame, which celebrated their remarkable careers alongside fellow British acting icons Eileen Atkins and Joan Plowright. The documentary provided a rare glimpse into their off-screen camaraderie, as the four actresses reminisced about their lives and long careers in show business.
Dame Judi’s grief was compounded by the recent loss of another friend and colleague, actress Barbara Leigh-Hunt, who passed away just a month prior at the age of 88. Leigh-Hunt, known for her Olivier Award-winning work, had starred alongside Dench in the 1992 BBC sitcom As Time Goes By, and the two had remained close over the years. O’Hea acknowledged the particularly difficult time Dame Judi had been going through, saying, “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.”
Though Dame Judi did not comment directly on Maggie Smith or Leigh-Hunt during the interview, she did reflect on the way she copes with loss. She mentioned how she plants trees in her garden in memory of her loved ones who have passed away. She shared a touching anecdote about how some of the trees seem to take on the characteristics of the people they are planted in honor of, noting with amusement that one tree, planted for the late actor Bob Peck, has stubbornly refused to grow.
The discussion of grief at the festival also brought up the memory of Dame Judi’s late husband, actor Michael Williams, who passed away in 2001. Dench had been married to Williams for three decades, and his death left a lasting impact on her. She has spoken in the past about how difficult it was to continue working after his death, but also how performing provided her with a form of catharsis. In a previous interview with The Times, she explained that she often used the emotional turmoil she was experiencing to fuel her performances. “Sometimes you have to do a play and it is really painful. That said, I’ve also found it unbelievably cathartic. You fortify yourself and use what you are going through as energy. Like petrol. It has helped me cope with the pain,” she had said at the time.
Brendan O’Hea revisited this analogy during the Cheltenham interview, asking Dame Judi to elaborate on her statement that grief could act as “petrol.” Though she did not go into detail this time, the sentiment reflects the idea that intense emotions like grief can be channeled into creative energy, providing an outlet for expression and a way to process loss. In her long career, Dame Judi has often drawn on her personal experiences to bring depth and authenticity to her performances.
Maggie Smith’s career was filled with iconic roles that showcased her remarkable range as an actress. She won two Academy Awards, first in 1970 for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and again in 1979 for California Suite. Over the years, she garnered numerous other accolades, including seven BAFTA awards and four additional Oscar nominations. Known for her sharp tongue and quick wit, Smith brought to life characters that were often formidable yet deeply human. Her portrayal of Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter series endeared her to a new generation of fans, while her performance as the Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey became iconic for its biting humor and gravitas.
Tributes to Smith poured in from across the world following her death. Daniel Radcliffe, who starred alongside her in the Harry Potter films, recalled her as a “fierce intellect” with a “gloriously sharp tongue” and the ability to both “intimidate and charm in the same instant.” He also noted that she was “extremely funny,” a quality that endeared her to her co-stars and audiences alike. Smith’s long and storied career saw her perform in a wide variety of roles, from Shakespearean dramas to contemporary comedies, making her one of the most versatile actresses of her generation.
Though she was known for her sharpness on screen, those who knew her personally often described Maggie Smith as more reserved and shy offstage. However, she maintained close friendships with many of her colleagues, including Dame Judi Dench, with whom she shared a deep bond. Their long professional partnership, spanning decades, provided audiences with some memorable moments both on and off screen.
In reflecting on her friends who have passed, including Maggie Smith, Barbara Leigh-Hunt, and her husband Michael Williams, Dame Judi Dench has found solace in nature, planting trees as living tributes to their memories. As she continues to cope with the loss of these important figures in her life, she remains an embodiment of resilience, channeling her grief into her work and her connection to the natural world. Her reflections on grief, and the way it can act as both a source of pain and a catalyst for creativity, offer a poignant reminder of the complex emotions that accompany loss.
Dame Maggie Smith’s passing marks the end of an era in British stage and screen, but her legacy lives on in the many performances that have left an indelible mark on audiences around the world. As Dame Judi continues to honor her memory, the friendship between these two remarkable actresses serves as a testament to the enduring power of connection and creativity, even in the face of loss.
