As Time Goes By

An Interview with Judi Dench

Time to say goodbye
One of television's best-loved couples are to split up, despite their popularity across the pond

She's an Oscar-winning international film star and a huge Broadway hit -- yet in the USA, Judi Dench is best known as the star of a whimsical Britcom. There is even an As Time Goes By fan club, 60 members of which flew over to watch the ninth and last series (which airs Tuesday, September 17 at 7:30 p.m. on TV12) being filmed at TV Centre in London.

"It never ceases to amaze me how popular it has been [in America]," says Dench, who co-stars with Geoffrey Palmer in the story of childhood sweethearts Jean (dotty) and Lionel (crotchety) who rekindle their romance after a chance encounter years later, find happiness and eventually tie the knot.

"The Americans are very proprietorial about it," adds Dench. "One lady wrote to me in disgust and said 'I'm sorry, but Jean Pargeter would never have had that quilt on her bed!' I think about that comment every time I come to make a series, and it still makes me laugh."

The series is set to bow out with a big wedding, as Jean's twice-married daughter Judith (Moira Brooker) finally says yes to the dubious charms of Alistair Deacon (Philip Bretherton).

Dench has no time to rest on her laurels, though; she will soon be seen as M in the new James Bond adventure Die Another Day and as Lady Bracknell in a new film version of The Importance of Being Earnest. Following these in the autumn will be The Breath of Life, a new play written by David Hare.

"It was partly my and Geoffrey's decision to call it a day on As Time Goes By, but writer Bob Larbey and the others agreed it was best to quit while we were ahead," Dench explains. "I suppose you could say that we actually sacked ourselves. How very silly!" -- Interview courtesy of BBC Worldwide Americas, Inc.