{"id":583604,"date":"2026-08-13T15:52:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T15:52:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/583604\/"},"modified":"2026-08-13T15:52:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T15:52:11","slug":"judi-denchs-returning-show-with-legendary-guest-sir-ian-mckellen-confirms-return-date-with-trailer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/583604\/","title":{"rendered":"Judi Dench&#8217;s returning show with legendary guest Sir Ian McKellen confirms return date with trailer"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"3\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">Judi Dench&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a71798612\/judi-dench-ian-mckellen-return-show\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a71798612\/judi-dench-ian-mckellen-return-show\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"returning series\" data-node-id=\"3.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">returning series<\/a> has confirmed an air date, with a delightful trailer launching too. The Tea with Judi Dench special sees the star speak to fellow national treasure Ian McKellen in her home, as they enjoy a chat about their amazing careers and lives.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"9\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">Broadcaster Sky has now confirmed that the special will air on Sky Arts on Monday, 31 August, as well as streamer NOW and Freeview.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"13\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">In a teaser trailer, the two meet as they recall their memories of each other, including a time McKellen had stage fright and Dench showing a display of &#8220;magic empathy&#8221; towards him.<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"judi dench, ian mckellen, tea with judi dench\" title=\"Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Tea with Judi Dench\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2200\" height=\"1469\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/e5c2a15a-29b6-4358-a613-b03a9545507d.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Sky<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"18\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tech\/best-tech-deals\/g35899960\/best-streaming-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tech\/best-tech-deals\/g35899960\/best-streaming-services\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Best streaming services\" data-node-id=\"18.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Best streaming services<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"22\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">The episode sees the old friends &#8220;reflect on success, failure and the importance of never taking either too seriously&#8221;, with McKellen also speaking about coming out and his role in fighting against Section 28, as well as his regret about never sharing the truth about himself with his parents.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"26\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">&#8220;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,&#8221; Dench previously said about the special.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"31\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">&#8220;The response to the first film was deeply touching, and it&#8217;s a great privilege to continue these conversations and capture moments of great friendship.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"35\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">Sky&#8217;s Phil Edgar-Jones added: &#8220;Tea with Dame Judi is fast becoming one of our most treasured and delightful treats on Sky Arts.<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"judi dench, ian mckellen, tea with judi dench\" title=\"Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Tea with Judi Dench\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"3000\" height=\"2001\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/3544423f-d84e-45e6-91bb-8f5492c763ad.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Sky<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"40\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">&#8220;If you join Judi Dench as she reflects on life, art, culture, and all manner of topics with the peerless Sir Ian McKellen, you&#8217;re sure to be amused, moved and enlightened in equal measure.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"44\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">The last Tea with Judi Dench special saw the star speak to fellow actor Kenneth Branagh, as the pair \u2013 who have collaborated many times over the decades \u2013 shared stories.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"48\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">Tea with Judi Dench will air on Monday, 31 August on Sky Arts, Freeview and NOW.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"53\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">Visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a70049607\/streaming-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a70049607\/streaming-guide\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Streaming Guide\" data-node-id=\"53.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Streaming Guide<\/a> now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"57\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">The new edition of Legends, a 100-page all-colour celebration of Ariana Grande, is here! <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hearstmagazines.co.uk\/livinglegendsarianagrande\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.hearstmagazines.co.uk\/livinglegendsarianagrande\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Buy Ariana Grande in newsagents or online\" data-node-id=\"57.3\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Buy Ariana Grande in newsagents or online<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1786636331_273_0a81bfbe-1026-4736-8d8a-d20144e2ec87_1551709595.png\" alt=\"Headshot of Sam Warner\" title=\"Headshot of Sam Warner\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"css-o0wq4v ev8dhu53\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/movies\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">movies<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">TV<\/a> and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/author\/samwarner\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NME<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.screendaily.com\/sam-warner\/1100838.contributor\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Screen International<\/a>. \u00a0Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/lord-of-the-rings\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Lord of the Rings<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/love-is-blind\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Love Is Blind<\/a>, and is equally in his element crossing every &#8216;t&#8217; and dotting every &#8216;i&#8217; as a sub-editor.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Judi Dench&#8217;s returning series has confirmed an air date, with a delightful trailer launching too. The Tea with&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":583605,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[458,137241,635,264023,637,146,85,46,195853,636,264022,237453],"class_list":["post-583604","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-celebrities","tag-celebrities","tag-collection-latest-news","tag-content-type-news","tag-contentid-22a916db-0915-4909-9d04-83660ad195c0","tag-displaytype-standard-article","tag-entertainment","tag-il","tag-israel","tag-issyndicated-false","tag-locale-gb","tag-shorttitle-judi-denchs-show-with-ian-mckellen-confirms-return-date","tag-sponsored-false"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/583604","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=583604"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/583604\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/583605"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=583604"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=583604"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=583604"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}