Dame Judi Dench makes feelings clear on career future as she gives devastating health update

Dame Judi Dench makes feelings clear on career future as she gives devastating health update

WATCH HERE: Judi Dench talks about Shakespeare on the Graham Norton Show

BBC
Olivia Gantzer

By Olivia Gantzer


Published: 27/05/2024

- 14:01

Updated: 27/05/2024

- 15:44

The iconic actress opened up about her health condition

Dame Judi Dench has given a sad update about her lengthy television career.

Dench, 89, has been slowly moving away from the world of acting, but now she has hinted it's very unlikely she'll ever be on screens again.


The James Bond legend hasn't starred in anything for the past two years and she recently gave a clear response when probed about the future of her career.

After almost 70 years in the industry, she seemed to confirm she had no plans to get behind a camera again while at the Chelsea Flower Show recently.

According to Metro, a journalist asked the iconic actress if she had any new films coming up, to which she replied: "No, no I can't even see!"

The award-winning star is suffering from age-related macular degeneration, which causes gradual deterioration of eyesight.

Dame Judi Dench

Dench was asked about her acting career

Getty

Although she has stepped away from the spotlight recently, Dench has been taking part in projects away from television.

She is continuing to promote her 2023 book, Shakespeare: 'The Man Who Pays the Rent' and has talked about doing shows with Gyles Brandreth.

In 2022, Dench emphasised how she hoped to continue working in spite of her health battle.

Speaking on BBC's Louis Theroux Interviews, she explained: "I don't want to retire. I'm not doing much at the moment because I can't see. It's bad."

Judi Dench

Dench hasn't starred in anything for two years

BBC

She continued: "I have a photographic memory so a person saying to me, 'This is your line,' I can do that."

Dench is also set to make history by becoming the first woman to join an exclusive private members' club of actors and artists.

For the first time in its 193 years, the Garrick Club will open its doors to women, and Dench is set to be the first to join.

Dench has been acting professionally since 1957 and rose to fame by starring in Shakespeare plays Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth.

Judi Dench

The iconic actress admitted she 'can't see'

Getty

She went on to make a name for herself in Hollywood and has appeared in numerous films and television series.

One of her more recent iconic roles came as M in James Bond back in 2012.

You may like