UPDATED with Weinstein statement: Judi Dench, the Oscar-winning British actress, has spoken about Harvey Weinstein in the context of “forgiveness” following his rape and sexual assault convictions.
In an interview with The Radio Times, Dench said she felt like the former Miramax producer had “done his time,” though it was not clear if she was referring to his prison sentence or industry purgatory.
In the same interview, Dench said she remained in contact with Kevin Spacey after the actor provided her with support following the death of her husband, Michael Williams, in 2001.
“I saw a bit of film of Harvey walking with two sticks and you think, ‘Well…’, I knew Harvey and I knew him well and worked with him, and I had none of that experience – very fortunately for me,” Dench said.
The actress said she had empathy for Weinstein’s victims, but said: “I imagine he’s done his time.” She added: “I don’t know, to me it’s personal – forgiveness.”
Weinstein, 73, is currently serving a 16-year sentence in Rikers Island jail after being convicted of rape and sexual assault in Los Angeles in 2023.
Weinstein was also convicted in New York in 2020 and sentenced to 23 years in prison. In a retrial this year, he was found guilty on one count of committing a criminal sexual act on Miriam Haley, but was acquitted of a second charge of sexually assaulting Kaja Sokola. A mistrial was declared on a third allegation of rape.
Weinstein welcomed Dench’s comments. In a statement shared by his spokesperson, the former movie mogul said: “I have always been fond of Judi Dench. She is an extraordinary person who played an important role in my career. I’ve now spent more than six and a half years incarcerated, including a year and a half in Rikers, which counts as double time.
“I am here for something I did not do, and many of the claims that have been written about me are gradually being shown to be untrue or unsupported. I am grateful for the kind words that have been expressed, and all I want is the chance to return to my family and children.”
Dench, 90, worked on a number of Weinstein films including 1998’s Shakespeare in Love and 2013’s Philomena. The actress has previously said she was “horrified” by the allegations of sexual harassment and assault against Weinstein, but has always insisted she was unaware of his actions.
“Whilst 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 offenses which are, of course, horrifying and I offer my sympathy to those who have suffered, and wholehearted support to those who have spoken out,” she said in 2017.
On Spacey, she told The Radio Times: “Kevin has been exonerated and I hear from Kevin, we text.”
