Dame Judi Dench has shared a deeply personal and emotional tribute to her late friend and fellow acting legend, Dame Maggie Smith. The poignant moment is featured in a one-off television special, Tea with Judi Dench, which aired on 22 December 2025.
A Garden Sanctuary for Remembering Friends
In the programme, the 91-year-old Oscar winner opens the doors to her beautiful country home, welcoming longtime friend Sir Kenneth Branagh. From the sanctuary of her English garden, the duo reflect on their illustrious careers and shared history. A central feature of the estate is a touching memorial forest, where Judi has planted trees to honour friends and loved ones who have passed away.
She explained the tradition's origins, stating she began it with her late husband, Michael Williams, and their daughter Finty. "We decided to dedicate trees in the garden to our friends who are no longer with us," Dench revealed.
Maggie's Thriving Crab Apple Tree
The camera focuses on a specific tree with a slate plaque bearing the name 'Maggie Smith'. Showing the thriving Crab Apple tree to Kenneth Branagh, Dench emotionally noted, "That is Mag's tree. Crab Apple!" She shared a remarkable story about its growth, revealing, "Well, it had nothing on it until the day of her memorial, her kind of funeral, and it had one and I put it in my pocket."
Commenting on the tree's prominent position, Branagh observed, "And she's at the front door but she can see everybody coming and going." To which Dench warmly added, "She's watching!"
A Grove of Remembered Stars
During their garden walk, Dench showed Branagh other trees dedicated to departed colleagues from the acting world. The memorial forest includes tributes to late stars such as Alan Rickman, Helen McCrory, and Natasha Richardson, creating a living archive of cherished friendships.
The tribute to Maggie Smith follows the announcement of her death in September 2024. The Oscar-winning actress and Harry Potter icon died peacefully in hospital at the age of 89, with her family by her side. Her heartbroken sons issued a statement at the time, expressing they were "devastated" by the loss of their "extraordinary mother and grandmother," and thanked staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care.
Tea with Judi Dench is available to watch on Sky Arts, Freeview, and the streaming service NOW.
