Dame Judi Dench has suggested that convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein has served sufficient punishment as she spoke about forgiveness as a core principle of her Quaker beliefs in a new interview.
The Oscar-winning actress, who collaborated with Mr Weinstein on films including Shakespeare in Love and Philomena, made the admission as she reflected on seeing footage of the disgraced producer using walking sticks.
“I knew Harvey, and I knew him well and worked with him, and I had none of that experience – very fortunately for me,” she told the Radio Times.
“I imagine he’s done his time. I don’t know, to me it’s personal – forgiveness.”
Dame Judi Dench and Harvey Weinstinein pictured in 2002
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Mr Weinstein, 73, is currently imprisoned at Rikers Island serving a 16-year sentence following his Los Angeles rape and sexual assault conviction.
The actress also addressed her friendship with Kevin Spacey, declaring that the American actor has been cleared of wrongdoing.
“Kevin has been exonerated, and I hear from Kevin, we text,” she said.
Mr Spacey, 66, was acquitted of nine sexual assault charges at Southwark Crown Court in 2023 after four men alleged incidents between 2001 and 2013.
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A Manhattan court had previously dismissed claims brought by actor Anthony Rapp in 2022.
The pair became close while filming The Shipping News in Nova Scotia in 2001, shortly after the death of Dame Judi’s husband, Michael Williams.
Mr Spacey has previously spoken about their bond, saying: “Her husband had just passed away and I made it my mission to try and make Judi laugh as much as I could.”
He taught her table tennis during production and later gifted her a table of her own.
Harvey Weinstein spent decades as one of the most powerful figures in the film industry
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GETTYDuring the discussion, Dame Judi also opened up on her battle with age-related macular degeneration, a condition she first disclosed in 2012.
Her eyesight has now progressed to the severe “wet” stage, leaving her unable to watch television or read scripts without assistance.
“It’s a crusher,” she said of the degenerative condition, which affects nearly 700,000 people across Britain according to the Macular Society.
When asked what she particularly missed, she replied: “Well, I miss seeing Clive Myrie doing Mastermind, but I can hear the questions.”
Dame Judi Dench has shared candid updates about her health in the last couple of years
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This isn’t the first time Dame Judi has spoken out about Mr Weinstein’s crimes.
However, speaking in 2017, the James Bond star was firm in her condemnation of the disgraced producer.
She told Newsweek: “Whilst there is no doubt that Harvey Weinstein has helped and championed my film career for the past 20 years, I was completely unaware of these offences which are, of course, horrifying.
“I offer my sympathy to those who have suffered, and wholehearted support to those who have spoken out.”