Tea With Judi Dench
What is Tea With Judi Dench about?
Dame Judi Dench welcomes cameras into her Surrey home for a series of eye-opening specials with some of her closest celebrity friends.
Tea With Judi Dench is a celebration of inspiring conversation, enduring friendships and a walk down memory lane – all over a classic cup of tea, of course.
Over the course of each special, Dame Judi is joined by a celebrity friend as they share anecdotes from their careers, their shared memories of their time working together, and reflect on landmark moments of their lives.
Tea With Dame Judi Dench launched in December 2025 with a first special opposite Sir Kenneth Branagh, which was praised by The Guardian as “relentlessly charming” upon release.
Produced by Mindhouse Productions, the series will continue in August 2026 with a chat with Sir Ian McKellen.
Speaking on the upcoming special, Dame Judi Dench said: “I am absolutely delighted to be returning for a second film, and even more pleased to be sharing the experience with the wonderful Sir Ian McKellen.
“The response to the first film was deeply touching, and it’s a great privilege to continue these conversations and capture moments of great friendship.”
Phil Edgar-Jones OBE, Executive Director of Unscripted Originals at Sky, said: “Tea with Dame Judi is fast becoming one of our most treasured and delightful treats on Sky Arts.
“If you join Judi Dench as she reflects on life, art, culture, and all manner of topics with the peerless Sir Ian McKellen, you’re sure to be amused, moved and enlightened in equal measure.”
Who has appeared on Tea With Judi Dench?
Tea With Judi Dench has two installments to date, each running for one-hour.
Tea With Judi Dench and Sir Kenneth Branagh aired in December 2025, and saw the pair reflect on their decades-long friendship and working relationship. During the chat, Dame Judi jokes about playing Branagh’s wife, mother and grandmother in her career, and introduces her guest to her foul-mouthed parrot Sweetheart, while Branagh opens up about performance critiques and shares memories of Dench’s late husband, Michael Williams.
Tea With Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen sees the pair open up about their careers, and how they have dealt with stage fright and personal insecurities when it comes to their acting abilities. They also share reflections on their involvement in two of the world’s biggest franchises – James Bond and Lord of the Rings, respectively – and how important it was not to take themselves too seriously. Sir Ian also opens up about coming out as gay, and how he fought the government to repeal Section 28 – which banned ‘promotion of homosexuality’ – during the 1980s.
Who is Dame Judi Dench?
Dame Judi Dench, born Judith Olivia Dench, was born in 1934. Her father was a doctor and her mother was a wardrobe mistress, both working for theatres, which is where she was first introduced to the art.
Initially planning a career as a set designer, Dame Judi has been a professional actress since 1957, working for the National Theatre before branching out to on-screen roles. A performer of stage and screen, the star has become known as a British national treasure, with her roles ranging from sitcom stars to Shakespeare leading ladies.
Over the course of her career, she has earned seven Olivier awards and a Tony for her theatrical performances, plus 10 BAFTAs (six for film, four for TV), two Golden Globes and one Academy Award.
She married actor Michael Williams in 1971, and they remained together until his death from lung cancer in 2001. During their marriage, they led the cast of ITV’s A Fine Romance, a sitcom which ran from 1981-1984. They had one daughter, Finty Williams, who like both her parents, has pursued acting.
In 2024, Dench announced her semi-retirement from acting due to deteriorating eyesight. She currently lives in Surrey.
What films and TV shows has Dame Judi Dench starred in?
Dame Judi Dench has been credited for over 145 on-screen roles, as well as dozens of stage performances.
To date, she has been nominated for 186 film and TV awards, including eight Oscars, winning one for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Shakespeare In Love in 1998.
The other seven films for which she was nominated are:
● Belfast (2022) - Actress in a Supporting Role
● Philomena (2014) - Actress in a Leading Role
● Notes on a Scandal (2007) - Actress in a Leading Role
● Mrs Henderson Presents (2006) - Actress in a Leading Role
● Iris (2002) - Actress in a Leading Role
● Chocolat (2001) - Actress in a Supporting Role
● Mrs Brown (1998) - Actress in a Leading Role
She has also been a long-standing presence in the James Bond franchise, appearing as M - the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service at MI6.
These movies are:
● GoldenEye (1995)
● Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
● The World is Not Enough (1999)
● Die Another Day (2002)
● Casino Royale (2006)
● Quantum of Solace (2008)
● Skyfall (2012)
● Spectre (2015) – uncredited cameo role
Other notable credits include:
● Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
● Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016)
● The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)
● Jane Eyre (2011)
● Pride and Prejudice (2005)
● The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)
Prior to her time on screen, Dame Dench appeared in a string of TV shows, including playing the Storyteller children’s TV series Jackanory from 1968 to 1983, and starring alongside husband Michael Williams in ITV sitcom A Fine Romance from 1981 to 1984.
She also played Linda Hardcastle, who reconnects with long-lost love, Geoffrey Palmer’s Harold Hardcastle, after 38 years apart in As Time Goes By from 1992 to 2005.
How can I watch Tea With Judi Dench?
Tea With Judi Dench airs on Sky Arts, and is available to watch on streaming service, NOW.
The latest episode with Sir Ian McKellen will be released in August 2026.