{"id":43370,"date":"2026-08-13T15:54:22","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T10:54:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=43370"},"modified":"2026-08-13T15:54:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T10:54:22","slug":"emotional-first-look-at-judi-dench-and-ian-mckellen-tv-show-will-make-you-sob","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=43370","title":{"rendered":"Emotional first look at Judi Dench and Ian McKellen TV show will make you sob"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"video-player\">\n<div class=\"video-player\">\n<div class=\"metro-video-player  \" data-track-module=\"article_video-player-with-related-carousel\">\n<div class=\"vjs-video-container vjs-fixed vjs-responsive\">\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<video id=\"3696557\" class=\"video-js\" poster=\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.com\/1s\/2026\/08\/13\/10\/110609711-0-image-a-2_1786612569200.jpg\" data-opts=\"{\" autoplay=\"\" with=\"\" judi=\"\" dench=\"\" featuring=\"\" ian=\"\" mckellen=\"\" trailer=\"\" guests=\"\" get=\"\" a=\"\" warm=\"\" welcome=\"\" but=\"\" only=\"\" sir=\"\" got=\"\" whistle=\"\" from=\"\" sweetheart.=\"\" tea=\"\" returns=\"\" august=\"\" preload=\"metadata\" playsinline=\"\"><source src=\"https:\/\/videos.metro.co.uk\/video\/met\/2026\/08\/13\/6277464373234189471\/480x270_MP4_6277464373234189471.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\"\/><p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbrowser that<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">supports HTML5<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvideo<\/a><\/p><\/video>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>National treasures <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/judi-dench\/\">Dame Judi Dench <\/a>and Sir <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/ian-mckellen\/\">Ian McKellen<\/a> have given rare insight into their friendship in the second-ever episode of Tea with Judi Dench.<\/p>\n<p>The pair have been friends for years and the emotional trailer shows that incredible bond with <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/01\/22\/dame-judi-dench-vision-loss-means-can-no-longer-leave-house-alone-22408974\/\">Dame Judi, 91,<\/a> holding his hand as they speak.<\/p>\n<p>Sir Ian, 87, confesses in the trailer he had \u2018admired Judi from afar\u2019 before they had met properly, cutting to clips of them sitting around her rustic kitchen table.<\/p>\n<p>In one clip, the <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/lord-of-the-rings\/\">Lord of the Rings<\/a> star praises her \u2018magic empathy\u2019 in a moment that moves the <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/james-bond\/\">Bond<\/a> legend to tears.<\/p>\n<p>Teasing the rest of their chat, Dame Judi says she had been \u2018wanting to ask\u2019 her Cats co-star about something before Sir Ian quips \u2018come on Jude, let\u2019s hear it\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>While there\u2019s plenty of laughter, the episode is said to touch on emotional topics with Sir Ian reflecting on one of his greatest regrets: never sharing the truth about himself with his parents.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"646\" height=\"431\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_303704634-972e.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29367442\" alt=\"Undated handout photo issued by Mindhouse of Dame Judi Dench with Sir Ian McKellen appearing on Tea With Judi Dench. The 91-year-old James Bond actress will appear in the Sky film alongside her long-time friend for a candid conversation about their lives on and off the stage and screen. Filmed at Dame Judi's Surrey home, the veteran thespians will discuss Shakespeare, stage fright and the insecurities of acting in such popular franchises as Bond and Lord Of The Rings.Issue date: Thursday July 02, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Mindhouse\/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.\" decoding=\"sync\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Tea With Judi Dench returns with Sir Ian McKellen (Picture: Mindhouse\/PA Wire)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The X-Men icon <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/05\/09\/ian-mckellen-names-bisexual-hollywood-legend-urged-not-campaign-gay-rights-28301278\/\">came out as gay in the late 80s<\/a>, playing a pivotal role in the fight against Section 28, which he will also discuss in the episode.<\/p>\n<p>Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 prohibited \u2018promoting\u2019 homosexuality, which included education and the silencing of LGBTQ+ history.<\/p>\n<p>Sir Ian was one of several prominent celebrities \u2013 including Pet Shop Boys, Tilda Swinton, and Chumbawamba \u2013 to protest the law.<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s a founding member of the\u00a0<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/charity\/\">charity<\/a>\u00a0Stonewall UK,\u00a0<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2022\/05\/31\/pride-2022-what-were-the-stonewall-riots-and-why-are-they-important-16742358\/\">established in 1989<\/a>, and remains a<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2022\/06\/11\/sir-ian-mckellen-i-wish-i-was-told-to-care-more-about-being-gay-16800265\/\">\u00a0vocal advocate of LGBTQ+ rights<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this year, he revealed Sir Alec Guinness once urged him to back down from his work, <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/05\/09\/ian-mckellen-names-bisexual-hollywood-legend-urged-not-campaign-gay-rights-28301278\/\">calling it \u2018unseemly\u2019 <\/a>for an actor to dabble in politics.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018He advised me, sort of pleaded with me, to withdraw,\u2019 he told <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/film\/2026\/may\/07\/ian-mckellen-reader-interview\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Guardian<\/a> of the fateful lunch with\u00a0<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2022\/05\/19\/ewan-mcgregor-always-hears-obi-wan-kenobi-lines-in-alec-guinness-voice-16676957\/\">the Obi-Wan Kenobi actor<\/a>,\u00a0who died in 2000.<\/p>\n<p>In 2023, Sir Ian reflected on his own coming out journey,\u00a0<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2023\/09\/08\/sir-ian-mckellen-coming-out-gay-changed-life-19467030\/\">describing it as a \u2018life-changing\u2019 journey<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/PRI_60045409-8747-e1786614894116.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29367883\" alt=\"Mandatory Credit: Photo by REX\/Shutterstock (60035a) IAN MCKELLEN AND JUDI DENCH Judi Dench actress Ian McKellen in play Macbeth\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Sir Ian and Dame Judi have been friends for years (Picture: Rex\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"418\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_40868813-b00e.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29367878\" alt=\"Judi Dench and Ian McKellen unveiling a plaque to Sir John Gielgud.\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>The chat is sure to be an emotional one with Dame Judi calling it a \u2018privilege\u2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Speaking about the new Tea with Judi episode, which will air on Sky Arts on August 31, Dame Judi said: \u2018I 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.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018The response to the first film was deeply touching, and it\u2019s a great privilege to continue these conversations and capture moments of great friendship.\u2019<\/p>\n<div class=\"metro-poll\" id=\"1786616531828-29367421\" data-option1=\"Yes I am seated!\" data-option2=\"Not my cup of tea\" data-url=\"https:\/\/api.metro.co.uk\/polls\/v2\/\" data-track-module=\"poll\">\n<h3 class=\"metro-poll__title\">Will you be watching Tea with Judi Dench?<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"metro-poll__list\">\n<li data-option=\"option1\" class=\"metro-poll__option\">\n<\/li>\n<li data-option=\"option2\" class=\"metro-poll__option\">\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"newsletter-end-card accent--tv\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-end-card__inner\">\n<h4>Want to get bespoke updates on the TV shows you love? Sign up to Metro&#8217;s TV newsletters and tell us which ones you can&#8217;t get enough of<\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Last year, she filmed the 43-minute special with Sir Kenneth Branagh, who she has been friends with for over four decades.<\/p>\n<p>Phil Edgar-Jones, the Executive Director of Unscripted Originals at Sky, said: \u2018Tea with Dame Judi is fast becoming one of our most treasured and delightful treats on Sky Arts. <\/p>\n<p>\u2018If you join Judi Dench as she reflects on life, art, culture, and all manner of topics with the peerless Sir Ian McKellen, you\u2019re sure to be amused, moved and enlightened in equal measure.\u2019<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Tea with Judi Dench will air on August 31 on Sky Arts, Freeview, and streaming service NOW.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><svg><title>Arrow<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#common-right-arrow\" href=\"#common-right-arrow\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/08\/12\/saturday-night-live-uk-season-2-launch-date-confirmed-can-get-tickets-29357495\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\">Saturday Night Live UK season 2 launch date confirmed \u2013 here\u2019s how you can get tickets<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><svg><title>Arrow<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#common-right-arrow\" href=\"#common-right-arrow\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/08\/10\/hate-admit-house-dragons-season-3-finale-exposes-biggest-flaw-29335370\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\">I hate to admit House of the Dragon\u2019s season 3 finale exposes its biggest flaw<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><svg><title>Arrow<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#common-right-arrow\" href=\"#common-right-arrow\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/08\/08\/50-cents-gritty-london-thriller-might-best-tv-binge-this-august-29323325\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\">50 Cent\u2019s gritty London thriller might be the best TV to binge this August<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<section id=\"share-buttons-bottom\" class=\"share-buttons share-buttons-bottom\"><a class=\"metro-button share-bar-comments\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"#metro-comments-container\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span><svg><title>Comment now<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#social-comment\" href=\"#social-comment\"\/><\/svg><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-comments__label\">Comments<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a><a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" class=\"metro-button share-bar-preferred-source\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/metro.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span><svg><title>Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#social-preferred-source\" href=\"#social-preferred-source\"\/><\/svg><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-preferred-source__label\">Add as preferred source<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/a><\/section>\n<div class=\"newsletter-end-card accent--tv\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-end-card__inner\">\n<h4>TV Newsletter<\/h4>\n<p>Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video National treasures Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen have given rare insight into their friendship in the second-ever episode of Tea with Judi Dench. The pair have been friends for years and the emotional trailer shows&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":43371,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_303704634-972e_1786618024.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=1200&h=630&crop=1","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-43370","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrity-gossip"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43370","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=43370"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43370\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/43371"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=43370"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=43370"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=43370"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}