Dame Judi Dench, 88, is renowned for her iconic roles, including the indomitable M in “James Bond.” Her recent journey to Scotland, documented on the BBC’s “Countryfile,” allowed her to fulfill a lifelong dream— encountering the majestic golden eagle in its natural habitat. Her emotional experience resonated deeply with fans, who poured in prayers, support, and admiration.
On tonight’s episode of CountryFile, I meet one of my idols, the wonderful, amazing, beautiful matriarch that is Dame Judi Dench. I had the pleasure of showing her one of my favourite creatures on Earth. Tune in at 7pm @BBCCountryfile #cameraman #wildlife #DREAMSCOMETRUE pic.twitter.com/MN3FPbyEv8
— Hamza Yassin (@HamzaYassin3) September 3, 2023
There are some things that sum up what it is to be quintessentially British, and Judi Dench is undoubtedly one of them. At 88, she remains an indomitable force in the world of entertainment, known for her iconic roles, most notably as the formidable M in “James Bond.”
But as she battles the relentless march of time, she faces a formidable adversary herself: age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In 2012, she received the devastating diagnosis that her eyesight was gradually fading away.
The actress, who once graced the silver screen with her brilliant performances, revealed, “I can’t see on a film set anymore, and I can’t see to read. So I can’t see much. But you know, you just deal with it. Get on.” Even though she grapples with the challenges of her degenerative eye condition, Dench remains resolute in her dedication to her craft.
She candidly admits that learning lines has become increasingly difficult, but her invincible spirit prevails, fortified by her photographic memory. Dench relinquished driving a few years ago as her eyesight deteriorated, a profound blow to her independence. Nonetheless, this iconic actress has achieved feats that most can only dream of.
In addition to her numerous accolades, including BAFTAs, a Tony Award, and an Oscar for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I in “Shakespeare in Love,” Dench made history in 2016 when she secured her eighth Olivier Award, a testament to her enduring talent.
Recently, she embarked on a heartwarming journey to Scotland, accompanied by her grandson, Sam. A lifelong dream had been nestled in her heart—to witness the majestic golden eagle in its natural habitat. On a segment of the BBC’s “Countryfile,” the actress, accompanied by wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin, embarked on a quest to fulfill this cherished ambition.
With every glimpse of the soaring eagles, her emotions ran high, tears welling up in her eyes. She exclaimed, “It’s an enormous privilege.” Yassin, too, shared in her joy, emphasizing the rarity of such an encounter, stating, “There’s few people in the UK that can say they’ve seen a golden eagle in the wild.”
In the same episode, viewers also got a glimpse of Dench’s artistic side as she explored the creation of a personalized tartan with her grandson. Her connection to Scotland’s landscape has inspired her watercolor artistry, and now, she’s delving into the world of oils.
Dench’s partner, David Mills, an award-winning farmer, was featured on the show as well. He shared their journey of creating the British Wildlife Centre on his Surrey farm, driven by Dench’s love for otters.
Dame Judi Dench on @BBCCountryfile fulfilling her life long dream of seeing golden eagles in the wild in the U.K. was one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen 😭 she is such a beautiful soul #Countryfile
— Zac Thomas (@Z4cTh0mas) September 3, 2023
As Dench’s emotional encounter with nature unfolded on “Countryfile,” fans from all corners of the globe tuned in to share in her joy and offer their support. Comments poured in, echoing a chorus of empathy and admiration for the beloved actress. Many fans expressed their heartfelt prayers, with one devoutly stating:
“So sorry to hear about your eyes Jesus heal her completely amen 🙏.”
The outpouring of prayers continued with simple yet powerful messages like “Prayers 🙏🙏” and “She has great talent. Prayers for her.” It was clear that Dench had a devoted following who wished her nothing but the best in her battle against her degenerative eye condition.
In addition to the heartfelt prayers, fans shared their emotional reactions to the moment when Dench saw the golden eagles in the wild. Emotions ran high as viewers watched her fulfill a lifelong dream. One fan emotionally recounted, “It was such a lovely moment when Judi saw the golden eagle. I cried watching her emotion.”
The synergy between Dench and Yassin did not go unnoticed, with viewers commending their collaboration. “Brought a tear to my eye ❤️ Dame Judi and Hamza were great together. What a great program tonight, thank you x,” expressed one fan, encapsulating the sentiment of the collective audience.
