August 10th 2024.
This renowned Hollywood star has graced the big screen in a total of eight James Bond movies. While she thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the iconic franchise, there is one thing that still bothers this legendary actress - being killed off in the series.
Known as Dame Judi Dench, this actress became a household name when she took on the role of M, the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service for MI6, in the Bond movies. The character of M was originally based on real-life figures who were in charge of British intelligence, and she appeared in not just one, but eight 007 films.
Dame Judi made her Bond debut in 1995's GoldenEye and continued to portray the stern and highly focused M until her tragic demise in 2012's Skyfall. In the movie, M meets her end at the hands of the main antagonist, Raoul Silva, played by Javier Bardem. As Bond and M seek refuge in Bond's childhood home in Scotland, Silva and his men attack, fatally wounding M. In a heart-wrenching scene, Bond holds her in his arms as she takes her last breath.
In a new documentary, Dame Judi reflects on her time as M and opens up to Jay Blades. She reveals that she was initially hesitant to take on the role, but her partner convinced her by saying, "You've got to do it - I've got to live with a Bond girl!" Despite her love for theater, she couldn't resist the opportunity to play the head of MI6 in the Bond series alongside Pierce Brosnan.
When asked if she wished her character had more action, Dame Judi jokingly admits that she would have loved to run along rooftops and do daring stunts, but instead, she spent most of her time in an office. However, she still thoroughly enjoyed her time as M, and her departure from the franchise left her with a feeling of disbelief. "How dare they kill me off after eight Bond films?" she incredulously exclaims.
Dame Judi first appeared as M in the 1990s alongside Pierce Brosnan, and she has appeared in more Bond movies than any of the actors who played the main role, including Daniel Craig, who took over in 2005 and will be making his final appearance in No Time To Die. The current favorite to take on the iconic role is Aaron Taylor-Johnson, but only time will tell who will be the next James Bond.
The actress, who turned 60 when she first played M, revealed that she took her role very seriously and there was no room for "mucking about" on set. Even during her downtime between takes, she maintained her serious demeanor, as her co-star Brendan O'Hea experienced while filming Quantum of Solace. Despite only having a minor role as a forensics tech, O'Hea noticed how much M had rubbed off on Dame Judi. "She said, 'I won't be mucking about on that - I'm very serious on the Bond films.' She didn't even crack a smile," he recalls.
In 2012, Dame Judi revealed that she was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration, which gradually deteriorates eyesight. Due to this condition, she hasn't acted in over two years and has no plans to return to the big screen anytime soon. She shared that she can no longer see well enough to read scripts, but she has a photographic memory, which has helped her in the past.
However, during a chat with Louis Theroux, she expressed her desire to continue acting and not retire just yet. She explained that she is not currently doing much because of her deteriorating eyesight, but she still has a strong passion for acting. Her last roles were in 2022, where she played Mary in the film Allelujah and made a cameo as herself in the Christmas musical comedy Spirited.
Dame Judi & Jay: The Odd Couple, a documentary featuring the actress and Jay Blades, will be airing soon on Channel 4. If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, feel free to get in touch with the entertainment team at The Agency. They can be reached through email, phone, or by visiting their Submit Stuff page. Who knows, your story might just end up on the big screen one day.
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