Veteran actress Dame Judi Dench opened up about her grief following the recent passing of her close friend, fellow actress Dame Maggie Smith.
During an event at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, fellow actor Brendan O’Hea brought up the topic of Dame Maggie, as well as the death of Dame Judi’s husband, Michael Williams.
Dame Judi struggled to find the words to express her emotions, comparing grief to petrol in terms of the energy it creates.
Dame Maggie, known for her roles in the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey, was remembered as a true legend of both stage and screen after her passing at the age of 89.
The two actresses had been friends for decades and had worked together on various projects, including the 2004 drama Ladies in Lavender and the 2015 film The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
They also appeared in the 2018 documentary Nothing Like a Dame, where they fondly reminisced about their lives and careers.
During the interview, O’Hea touched on the recent losses in Dame Judi’s life, including her friends Maggie Smith and Barbara Leigh-Hunt, who passed away last month.
Leigh-Hunt, an Olivier Award-winning actress, had worked with Dame Judi on the BBC sitcom As Time Goes By in 1992.
Dame Judi spoke about coping with grief through her love of planting trees in memory of her departed loved ones.
She shared a lighthearted moment about how some of the trees grow to resemble the person they honor, while one dedicated to the late actor Bob Peck refuses to grow.
Dame Maggie Smith’s illustrious career, spanning eight decades, garnered her multiple awards, including two Oscars and seven Baftas.
She was celebrated for her roles in the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey, with colleagues praising her sharp wit, fierce intellect, and comedic talent.
King Charles III described Dame Maggie as a national treasure, while Sir Keir Starmer hailed her as a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
The passing of Dame Maggie Smith marks the end of an era for British cinema and theater, leaving behind a legacy of exceptional talent and unforgettable performances.
