{"id":304919,"date":"2025-12-08T11:35:13","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T11:35:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/304919\/"},"modified":"2025-12-08T11:35:13","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T11:35:13","slug":"dame-judi-dench-defends-harvey-weinstein-i-imagine-hes-done-his-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/304919\/","title":{"rendered":"Dame Judi Dench defends Harvey Weinstein: \u2018I imagine he\u2019s done his time\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Dame
\n\t\tDame Judi Dench and Harvey Weinstein worked together on several projects (Picture: Scott Wintrow\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Dame Judi Dench<\/a> believes disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein<\/a> has \u2018done his time\u2019 and deserves \u2018forgiveness.\u2019<\/p>\n

Weinstein has been at the centre of rape or sexual misconduct allegations\u00a0from more than 100 people, with some claims dating back to the 1970s.<\/p>\n

The allegations sparked\u00a0the Me Too movement<\/a>, which highlighted sexual violence<\/a> in the film industry, as well as worldwide.<\/p>\n

Weinstein was initially convicted<\/a>\u00a0of a criminal sexual act in the first degree and rape in the third degree in February 2020.<\/p>\n

However, his\u00a023-year sentence was overturned last year<\/a>, sparking a three-week retrial in New York.<\/p>\n

While speaking about her Quaker faith and forgiveness, she was asked by Radio Times<\/a> if she could forgive good friends Weinstein and Kevin Spacey<\/a>, who was cleared by courts in the UK and US<\/a> of allegations of sexual assault<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Mandatory
\n\t\tDame Judi Dench offered her views on forgiveness in an interview with Radio Times (Picture: BEI\/REX\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"LONDON,
\n\t\tThe Hollywood icon opened up on her friendships with Kevin Spacey and Harvey Weinstein (Picture: Jeff Spicer\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u2018Kevin has been exonerated, and I hear from Kevin, we text,\u2019 she began.<\/p>\n

\u2018I saw a bit of film of Harvey walking with two sticks, and you think, \u201cWell\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018I knew Harvey, and I knew him well and worked with him, and I had none of that experience \u2013 very fortunately for me. <\/p>\n

\u2018I imagine he\u2019s done his time \u2026 I don\u2019t know, to me it\u2019s personal \u2013 forgiveness.\u2019<\/p>\n

When news of his crimes emerged in 2017, Bond star Dench dubbed them \u2018horrifying\u2019 as she condemned Weinstein<\/a>.<\/p>\n

She told Newsweek: \u201dWhilst 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, and I offer my sympathy to those who have suffered, and wholehearted support to those who have spoken out.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Actress
\n\t\tShe said she believed disgraced film producer Weinstein had \u2018done his time\u2019 (Picture: Scott Wintrow\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"The
\n\t\tSpacey was cleared by courts in the US and UK of allegations of sexual assault (Picture: Anthony Harvey\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

In 2019, Dench spoke out against a potential boycott of Weinstein films<\/a>, saying: \u2018You cannot deny somebody a talent.<\/p>\n

\u2018You might as well never look at a Caravaggio painting. You might as well never have gone to see No\u00ebl Coward.\u2019<\/p>\n

In 2021, she reflected on working with Weinstein<\/a>, who produced several projects she appeared in, including Shakespeare in Love, Chocolat, and Philomena.<\/p>\n

\u2018I worked a lot for Harvey, a huge amount, and he was always completely charming,\u2019 she told The Guardian<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\u2018Perhaps I was lucky, but that\u2019s all I know. I feel very acutely for the people who weren\u2019t so lucky.\u2019<\/p>\n

She went on to say she didn\u2019t regret making any films with him, adding: \u2018He was a friend.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"LONDON,
\n\t\tThe Shakespeare in Love star condemned Weinstein when allegations arose in 2017 (Picture: Alan Chapman\/Dave Benett\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u2018He was a perfectly polite and funny, and friendly person. I never experienced Harvey in any other way than that. I knew nothing untoward about him at all. And nor was I warned. <\/p>\n

\u2018So, of course, I can judge him. But I never experienced that other side of him at all.\u2019<\/p>\n

It comes after\u00a0a judge declared a mistrial<\/a>\u00a0on the third-degree rape count in Harvey Weinstein\u2019s ongoing sexual assault trial, after drama with the jury.<\/p>\n

After a second round of hearings, the 73-year-old was convicted of sexually assaulting Miriam Haley in June and acquitted of a second charge stemming from sexual assault accusations made by Kaja Sokola.<\/p>\n

The jury struggled to reach a unanimous verdict on a third count involving Jessica Mann and, after further deliberations failed, Judge Curtis Farber declared a mistrial.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, actress Julia Ormond<\/a>\u00a0was paid $5.75 million (\u00a34.32million)<\/a> by the Walt\u00a0Disney<\/a>\u00a0Co after alleging she was assaulted by Weinstein.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Harvey
\n\t\tWeinstein\u2019s trial was overturned last year (Picture: EPA)<\/p>\n

Dench also admitted she worries about \u2018losing the plot\u2019 as she gave another update on her health<\/a> and memory.<\/p>\n

The legendary actress<\/a> has candidly opened up about her fears, admitting that while she can still recall the works of William Shakespeare, she often forgets what she has planned for the next day.<\/p>\n

In the new documentary Judi Dench: Shakespeare, My Family And Me, the star \u2013 who will celebrate her 91st birthday on Tuesday \u2013 reflected on how she often hopes she won\u2019t \u2018lose the plot\u2019.<\/p>\n

Asked if it\u2019s something she worries about a lot, she told the Radio Times<\/a>: \u2018Oh yes, and I do now.\u2019<\/p>\n

She feels lucky to be able to remember Shakespeare, but day-to-day plans are more of a struggle for Dame Judi.<\/p>\n

\u2018But I can\u2019t remember what I\u2019m doing tomorrow, I swear to you \u2013 just ask them,\u2019 she said, pointing to her assistants who admit it \u2018it can be true, yes\u2019.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Dame
\n\t\tDame Judi is concerned she might \u2018lose the plot\u2019 (Picture: Ian West\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Shakespeare In Love star also gave an update on her declining sight<\/a>, which has been impacted for years by age-related macular degeneration.<\/p>\n

The condition \u2013 which is the number one cause of sight problems in people over the age of 50 \u2013 can cause permanent and rapid central vision loss.<\/p>\n

Sitting close to the interviewer, Dame Judi told her she was \u2018in a fog\u2019, while she was suffering with both of her eyes being \u2018wet\u2019, which she described as a \u2018crusher\u2019.<\/p>\n

Losing her independence by not being able to drive has been difficult, as has missing out on embroidery and simple activities as reading and watching TV.<\/p>\n

Asked what she misses in particular, she said: \u2018Well, I miss seeing Clive Myrie<\/a> doing Mastermind<\/a>, but I can hear the questions.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"FILE
\n\t\tThe actress described her eyesight deterioration as a \u2018crusher\u2019 (Picture: Reuters\/Toby Melville\/File Photo)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Mastermind
\n\t\tShe misses being able to see Clive Myrie hosting Mastermind (Picture: BBC\/Hindsight\/Hat Trick Productions\/William Cherry\/Press Eye)<\/p>\n

The actress recently admitted she \u2018can\u2019t recognise anybody now\u2019 as her sight continues to deteriorate, with her condition becoming so advanced that she now struggles to recognise friends and loved ones.<\/p>\n

In a recent interview with ITV<\/a> alongside her friend Sir Ian McKellen<\/a>, Dame Judi was asked why she\u2019s now rarely seen on screen.<\/p>\n

\u2018I can\u2019t see anymore. I\u2019ve got, you know, that thing,\u2019 she said, before adding to the Lord of the Rings icon: \u2018I can see your outline and I know you so well in your Macbeth scarf. But I can\u2019t recognise anybody now \u2026 I can\u2019t see the television, I can\u2019t see to read.\u2019<\/p>\n

Sir Ian then joked: \u2018But do you go up to total strangers and say: \u201cLovely to see you again?’\u201d and Judi replied: \u2018Sometimes.\u2019<\/p>\n

Got a story?<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff<\/a> page \u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Dame Judi Dench is scared about \u2018losing the plot\u2019 as her health deteriorates<\/a><\/p>\n


\n\t\t\tComment now<\/p>\n

\t\t\tComments
\n\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tAdd as preferred source
\n\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dame Judi Dench and Harvey Weinstein worked together on several projects (Picture: Scott Wintrow\/Getty Images) Dame Judi Dench…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":304920,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[6491,96,9834,25588,39940,3334,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-304919","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-celebrities","8":"tag-celebrities","9":"tag-entertainment","10":"tag-harvey-weinstein","11":"tag-judi-dench","12":"tag-kevin-spacey","13":"tag-showbiz","14":"tag-uk","15":"tag-united-kingdom","16":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/304919","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=304919"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/304919\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/304920"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=304919"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=304919"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=304919"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}