Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen offer a rare glimpse into their decades-long friendship in the second episode of Tea with Judi Dench, with an emotional trailer showing the 91-year-old Bond star holding hands with the 87-year-old actor as he praises her 'magic empathy,' moving her to tears.
The episode, airing August 31 on Sky Arts, Freeview, and streaming service NOW, captures the pair in Dench's rustic kitchen, where McKellen confesses he had 'admired Judi from afar' before they properly met. In one clip, the Lord of the Rings star's heartfelt words visibly affect Dench, while she teases him about a question she's been 'wanting to ask' her Cats co-star, prompting his quip: 'come on Jude, let's hear it.'
Sir Ian McKellen Reflects on Regrets and LGBTQ+ Activism
Beyond the laughter, the episode touches on emotional topics, including McKellen reflecting on one of his greatest regrets: never sharing the truth about himself with his parents. The X-Men icon came out as gay in the late 1980s and played a pivotal role in the fight against Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988, which prohibited 'promoting' homosexuality in education and silenced LGBTQ+ history.
McKellen was among prominent celebrities—including Pet Shop Boys, Tilda Swinton, and Chumbawamba—who protested the law. He is a founding member of Stonewall UK, established in 1989, and remains a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Earlier this year, he revealed that Sir Alec Guinness once urged him to back down from his activism, calling it 'unseemly' for an actor to dabble in politics. 'He advised me, sort of pleaded with me, to withdraw,' McKellen told The Guardian of the lunch with the Obi-Wan Kenobi actor, who died in 2000. In 2023, McKellen described his coming-out journey as 'life-changing.'
Dame Judi Dench on Friendship and Returning for a Second Episode
Speaking about the new episode, Dench said: '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. The response to the first film was deeply touching, and it's a great privilege to continue these conversations and capture moments of great friendship.'
Last year, Dench filmed the 43-minute special with Sir Kenneth Branagh, with whom she has been friends for over four decades. The first episode's success paved the way for this second installment, which continues the format of intimate conversations over tea.
Sky Executives Praise the Series as a 'Treasured Treat'
Phil Edgar-Jones, Executive Director of Unscripted Originals at Sky, said: 'Tea with Dame Judi is fast becoming one of our most treasured and delightful treats on Sky Arts. If you join Judi Dench as she reflects on life, art, culture, and all manner of topics with the peerless Sir Ian McKellen, you're sure to be amused, moved and enlightened in equal measure.'
The episode promises a mix of humor and heartfelt moments, with McKellen's reflections on his activism and personal regrets adding depth. Tea with Judi Dench airs on August 31 on Sky Arts, Freeview, and NOW, continuing the series' exploration of friendship and legacy.
