Judi Dench Under Fire For Lending Support To Harvey Weinstein & Kevin Spacey: 'Girl Shut Up'

Judi Dench has a VERY hot take on Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey…

During a recent interview with Radio Times, the 91-year-old shared surprisingly sympathetic opinions on the disgraced Hollywood producer and the outcast actor. While speaking about Weinstein, she told the outlet:

“I knew Harvey and I knew him well and worked with him, and I had none of that experience — very fortunately for me.”

The British actress previously worked with Weinstein on films like Shakespeare In Love (1998) and Philomena (2013). Reflecting on “a bit of film” she’s seen of him using a walker, she went on:

“I imagine he’s done his time. I don’t know, to me it’s personal — forgiveness.”

He quite literally has NOT done his time. In 2020, he was convicted on sexual assault crimes in New York and sentenced to 23 years in prison. Three years after that, he was convicted on additional charges in Los Angeles and sentenced to 16 years in prison. So he has a VERY long way to go before he’s “done his time.”

In response, Harvey, through his rep, told TMZ:

“She is an extraordinary person who played an important role in my career.”

During the #MeToo movement in 2017, the James Bond actress was one of the first Hollywood figures to speak out against Weinstein:

“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.”

As for Spacey, the Red Joan actress admitted she’s still in touch with him to this day — and attributed their connection to The Usual Suspects actor being there for her when her husband Michael Williams died in 2001:

“Kevin has been exonerated and I hear from Kevin, we text.”

The Baby Driver star was acquitted of all his sexual assault allegations during a UK trial in 2023, but has yet to break back into Hollywood in a prominent way, despite attempts.

Across social media, fans have expressed absolute horror at Judi’s admissions. On X (Twitter), users have been writing things like:

“I like Judi Dench, but my god she is clueless here. It’s not for her to forgive on behalf of the victims of these men. What a terrible lack of compassion.”

“If she was a victim of HW I’m sure she wouldn’t be as forgiving”

“judi dench being a rape apologist was NOT on the bingo card”

“WHY WOULD YOU ADMIT THIS WHAT THE F**K JUDI DENCH”

“No — forgiveness is for their actual victims, not from ‘friends’.”

“‘I didn’t have that experience, therefore the man is innocent.’ Just an absolute and stunning lack of compassion for the suffering of Weinstein’s other victims.”

“girl shut up”

“I wonder how forgiving she’d be if it were her”

Others, however, defended the elderly actress:

“She was born into a world that no longer exists. Give her grace.”

“Why is a semi-retired, 90 year old Judi Dench being asked about this…?”

“Judi’s take is interesting….she’s speaking from personal experience and the idea of forgiveness. Not everyone will agree, but it’s a perspective shaped by knowing people beyond the headlines.”

“Sometimes people just need to not speak on things.”

What are your thoughts on Judi’s comments? Let us know in the comments down below!

[Images via MEGA/WENN]