Judi Dench says Kevin Spacey has been ‘exonerated’ and Harvey Weinstein has ‘done his time’
Judi Dench and Kevin Spacey at The Olivier Awards in 2015. (Getty)
Judi Dench and Kevin Spacey at The Olivier Awards in 2015. (Getty)
Dame Judi Dench has offered her thoughts on the topic of forgiveness, saying that Kevin Spacey has been “exonerated” and that Harvey Weinstein has “done his time.”
The legendary British actress, 91, worked with Spacey on 2001’s The Shipping News. Meanwhile, Weinstein’s production company, Miramax, was behind 1997’s Mrs Brown, Dench’s first lead role in a film.
Speaking to the Radio Times over the weekend, the Oscar winner shared her thoughts on both men following the accusations of sexual misconduct levied against them.
In 2023, a jury found Spacey not guilty of several sexual-assault charges involving four men from 2001 to 2013. He also had a sexual assault case against him in the US dismissed in 2022. The actor will return to the UK courts next October to face more claims of sexual assault from three men. He denies the allegations.
“Kevin has been exonerated and I hear from Kevin, we text,” Dench told the Radio Times.
Turning to Weinstein – convicted of rape and sexual assault in 2023 and condemned by Dench when the “horrifying” allegations emerged – the Philomena star said: “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,” also empathising with his victims.
She then added: “I imagine he’s done his time… I don’t know, to me it’s personal – forgiveness.”
Weinstein has since responded to Dench’s remarks, with a spokesperson telling Deadline on his behalf: “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.”
The former producer said he was locked up for “something I did not do.” Weinstein added that many of the claims against him “are gradually being shown to be untrue or unsupported.”
He said he was “grateful for the kind words” from Dench. He then closed: “All I want is the chance to return to my family and children.”
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