Dame Judi Dench believes disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein deserves forgiveness.

The decorated English actress told the UK’s Radio Times that she sympathized with the convicted sex offender and claimed that he was never inappropriate with her during their professional relationship.

Despite allegations of sexual misconduct by more than 100 women, Dench said, “I saw a movie of Harvey walking with two sticks and you think, ‘Well… I knew Harvey and I knew him well and I worked with him, and I didn’t have any experience like that’ — very fortunately for me.”

Dame Judi Dench, here at a screening in London in 2024, said that disgraced producer and convicted sex criminal Harvey Weinstein has
Dame Judi Dench, here at a screening in London in 2024, said disgraced producer and convicted sex criminal Harvey Weinstein has “served his time” and should be forgiven.

Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images

While the interview noted that the Oscar-winning actor expressed “empathy for his victims,” the article did not go into further detail.

“I imagine he’s already served his time,” Dench continued of Weinstein, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison for rape, forcible oral copulation and sexual penetration in California in 2023, and is also awaiting a new trial on sex crime charges in New York that were overturned in 2024.

“I don’t know, for me it’s something personal: forgiveness,” he interrupted, causing the outlet to abandon the topic.

A California court sentenced Weinstein to 16 years in prison for rape in 2023. He is currently awaiting a new trial on sex crime charges in New York, as seen here during a court appearance in June.
A California court sentenced Weinstein to 16 years in prison for rape in 2023. He is currently awaiting a new trial on sex crime charges in New York, as seen here during a court appearance in June.

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“While there is no doubt that Harvey Weinstein has helped and defended my film career over the past 20 years, I was completely unaware of these crimes, which are, of course, horrific,” she said at the time. “I offer my solidarity to those who have suffered and my unconditional support to those who have spoken.”