Judi Dench says she loathes her ‘national treasure’ label

Judi Dench says she loathes her ‘national treasure’ label
Judi Dench has shared that she resents the term 'national treasure', and she prefers not to act her age.

Dench has professed she hates people labelling her a ‘national treasure’ as it makes her feel like a museum piece.

The Skyfall star has enjoyed a stellar career spanning more than 60 years on stage, screen and TV. Her success has earned her seven Oscar nominations and one win, 10 TV and film BAFTAs, and a Damehood.

However, the 87-year-old can’t stand it when people dub her a British ‘national treasure’ as it makes her feel as if her best days are well behind her.

After David Tennant used the term during a chat with her on his podcast, she vented: “I loathe those words, I loathe them. It’s something very, very dusty behind a glass and in a corner. It’s a relic and I don’t want to be a relic.”

British actress Judi Dench

The veteran actress went on to say that she prefers taking villainous roles that offer her a bit of adventure, rather than acting her age.

“I hate to play parts that are expected,” she declared, adding: “If a part comes through and it’s some old person dying in a chair somewhere, I think, ‘Oh no no, please not that’.”

The Philomena star explained: “I want to play somebody who you think is a benign old lady sitting in a chair but in actual fact she’s bumping people off. I’m looking for a lot of villains to play. I haven’t played enough.”

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