Judi Dench wonders whether Harvey Weinstein might be ready for forgiveness, years after he was ousted from Hollywood and convicted of sex crimes.
The discussion unfolded during a new interview with Radio Times, where the 90-year-old actress reflected on her past connection with Weinstein, 73.
“I saw a video of Harvey walking with two sticks, and you’re like, ‘Well…'” she began when the outlet asked for her thoughts on his conviction.
“I knew Harvey, and I knew him well and worked with him, and I had none of that experience — very fortunate for me,” Dench said, referring to the dozens of women who have made allegations of sexual misconduct against Weinstein over the years.
“I imagine he’s served his time… I don’t know, for me it’s personal – forgiveness. I just think…” Dench mentioned Weinstein, who produced films that helped elevate her career, including Shakespeare in Love, which won her an Oscar in 1999.
Dench declined to comment further on Weinstein. However, she also confirmed that she remains in touch with Kevin Spacey, 66.
“Kevin has been acquitted, and I’m hearing from Kevin, we’re texting,” she said, referring to a 2023 British criminal case in which Spacey was found not guilty of nine charges of alleged sexual abuse.
Spacey is now facing civil claims in Britain from three men who alleged he sexually assaulted them BBC reported November 26.
Dench previously condemned Weinstein when allegations against him became public in 2017.
“While there is no doubt that Harvey Weinstein has aided and abetted my film career over the past twenty years, I was completely unaware of these transgressions, which are of course heinous. I extend my condolences to those who have suffered and my sincere support to those who have spoken out,” she said at the time.
Dench also expressed concern Radio times in a 2019 interview that people would overlook both Spacey and Weinstein’s oeuvre in the years after their audiences fell from grace.
“Are we just not going to see all those movies that Harvey produced?” she said at the time.
Weinstein is currently serving a sentence in California following his 2022 sex crime convictions. His previous convictions in New York were overturned in April 2024. His lawyer has argued that Weinstein was abused on Rikers Island and that the producer was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia in 2024.
