Nothing like a DAME!

LOUIS THEROUX on his meeting with acting royalty Dame Judi Dench 

- NATASHA HOLT

LOUIS THEROUX INTERVIEWS… TUESDAY, 9.15PM, BBC2 FACTUAL

Louis Theroux’s interview technique has often been compared to Marmite. While some people love the documentary-maker’s offbeat style, others are less keen on his direct questioning, including Oscar-winning actor Dame Judi Dench – who well and truly puts him in his place when he turns the spotlight on her life and career for the second episode of his current BBC2 series, Louis Theroux Interviews…

‘I asked her about one of her films and she asked me to leave!’ grins Louis, who manages to smooth things over and enjoy a lunch date with the James Bond star and her family, as well as receiving a personal invitation to watch Dame Judi in her autobiographical West End show, I Remember It Well.

Here, Louis, 52, tells TV Times more about his encounter with Dame Judi, and shares his standout moments from filming this six-part series…

What did you chat to Dame Judi about?

I talked to her about everything. She talked very movingly about Michael Williams, her husband, who died in 2001 [Dame Judi and Michael were married for almost 30 years].

She also talked about TikTok [Dame Judi became a social-media star during the pandemic thanks to her grandson, Sam Williams] and her parrot, Sweetheart, who is very talkative and a dear friend to her.

Dame Judi’s career spans over six decades. Did she share any behind the scenes secrets with you?

She told me how, early on, she was interviewed by a film director, who said, ‘Your face is all wrong for film.’