Tea with Judi Dench to return with Ian McKellen

A special television programme featuring Judi Dench will return this summer.

Produced by Mindhouse, Tea with Judi Dench, will see the legendary actress invite friend Ian McKellen to her home for tea and conversation about their lives both on and off stage.

The programme description says that the two will discuss Shakespeare and stage fright, as well as The Lord of the Rings and James Bond movies. Additionally, McKellen “speaks movingly about coming out, his defining role in the fight against Section 28, and one of his greatest regrets: never sharing the truth about himself with his parents.”

The premiere episode, which aired last year, featured Kenneth Branagh.

Recently, it was revealed that the Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End would be renamed in honour of Dench.

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.”

Tea with Judi Dench is produced by Mindhouse for Sky Arts, with executive producer Nancy Strang. It is directed by Laurence Turnbull, and the production executive is Suzy Burnet. The special is commissioned by Phil Edgar-Jones, executive director of unscripted originals at Sky, for Cécile Frot-Coutaz, chief advertising and content officer at Sky, CEO Sky Studios. Leanne Cosby is a commissioning editor for Sky.

It will be available to watch in August on Sky Arts, Freeview and NOW.