The role Judi Dench instantly regretted agreeing to play: “You warned me not to do it”
When you’ve been in the business for as long as Dame Judi Dench, it’s only inevitable that you’ll make a few mistakes. No one goes through their career without making some questionable decisions, and even the legendary British actor isn’t immune to ignoring the advice of her friends in favour of some bad choices.
We’ve all been there – asking a friend for some well-needed advice and then immediately disregarding what they’ve said because we think we really know best after all. But sometimes we’re proven wrong, and Dench luckily isn’t afraid to admit when she should have listened to someone else, especially when the voice of reason is Maggie Smith.
The pair were friends for decades, both emerging in the theatre at the same time and quickly asserting themselves as some of England’s most talented stars. They found that they related to each other, so when it came to working alongside each other, chemistry was no fucking problem at all. From Ladies in Lavender to The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, they shared the screen multiple times, proving that they were just as good in front of the camera as they were in front of a live audience.
Clearly, they knew each other pretty goddamn well, so it was only natural that they would sit down to discuss the projects that they’d both been offered. In one instance, though, Dench totally disregarded Smith’s advice, resulting in a role she totally regretted. In conversation with her close pal for an interview with Backstage, Dench revealed, “It’s a dodgy line to not read the play and come to the first reading and realise you’ve made a mistake,” to which Smith replied, “Have you done that?”
Dench could only admit a sheepish “yes,” explaining, “The Royal Family, I did. And you told me, you warned me not to do it.” You can tell how close the pair were from their interaction, with Smith stating, “I did tell you,” jokingly admonishing her friend for taking on a role that she didn’t think she should have played.
The role in question was the matriarchal lead character of Fanny in the play written by George S Kaufman and Edna Ferber, which Dench was cast in for a 2001 West End adaptation. Interestingly, Smith’s son, Toby Stephens, also starred in the play as Dench’s son, Tony. Clearly, Smith didn’t fucking try hard enough to dissuade her friend or her son from starring in the production.
Heavily based on the Barrymore acting clan, the play didn’t get the most glowing reviews, although Dench no doubt gave a great performance, as she always does. Still, it wasn’t one of the most impressive projects she has been a part of, and she wishes she had just listened to her friend and sat this one out.
Mistakes are to be expected, though, and Dench soon learned her lesson. Within the next year, she’d landed a role alongside Smith in the play The Breath of Life, which proved to be incredibly goddamn popular. Sometimes you just need to listen to your best fucking friend, because they’re often right.
