Kat Writes ✍️

by Kat

In honour of International Women’s Week, we are celebrating the national treasure that is Dame Judi Dench. Most of us have had the pleasure of witnessing her in action, from mastering Shakespeare to managing Bond. It’s certainly difficult to imagine Judi having anything else to add to her stacked résumé…until you realise that she was born and raised in Heworth, York!

Here are some other facts about her that you might not know:

1. She made her professional stage debut as Hamlet’s Ophelia in 1957 (yes, just like in the Taylor Swift Song)
2. She got her first tattoo at the respectable age of 81
3. She played M from the James Bond franchise from 1995 to 2012 (iconic)
4. She holds the record for most Olivier Award nominations of any actor – Bravo, Judi!
5. She has often credited York Theatre Royal as the place where her love of acting really began
6. She continues to act and narrate despite living with a visual impairment – what an inspiration!
7. She has played Queen Elizabeth I on screen more than any other actor

You rule, Judi!