Judi Dench Tells All About Bond: It Was Daniel Craig’s Idea to ‘Have Me Killed’

Judi Dench, the esteemed British actress renowned for her extensive career on stage and screen, offers an intimate look back at her time as M, the formidable head of MI5 in the James Bond franchise. Her reflections appear in her memoir, "Is It Too Late to Make a Run For It?", which provides an unvarnished account of her experiences from 1995 through 2012, spanning eight films beginning with "GoldenEye" and concluding with "Skyfall."

Dench’s portrayal of M was marked by a commanding presence that challenged the traditionally male-dominated role, a dynamic she embraced wholeheartedly. The character’s stern, authoritative demeanor allowed Dench to subvert expectations, notably by confronting Bond himself with sharp, assertive dialogue. Over the years, Dench developed a rich backstory for M, imagining a woman who had navigated and overcome significant barriers in a male-centric world, though much of this background remained implicit to audiences.

Throughout the Bond series, Dench saw M evolve through subtle narrative shifts. Early films presented M as a sharp, unyielding leader, while later entries like "Casino Royale" and "Skyfall" revealed more personal facets, including marital history and widowhood. These developments added depth to the character, culminating in a poignant farewell in "Skyfall," where M's given name, Olivia Mansfield, was disclosed only in the film's closing moments. This detail resonated with Dench personally, as her own middle name is Olivia.

Behind the scenes, Dench described the Bond franchise as a close-knit enterprise, nurtured by producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, siblings who fostered a supportive environment that made cast and crew feel like part of a family. This atmosphere, alongside recurring collaborators such as directors Michael Apted and Martin Campbell, contributed to Dench’s affection for the series despite occasional challenges.

One significant obstacle came during the production of "Tomorrow Never Dies," when Dench faced continuous script rewrites. The instability of the script and the technical complexity of her dialogue made preparation arduous, exacerbated by last-minute changes that left little time for adjustment. This period contrasted with her more seamless experiences on other films and underscored the pressures inherent in blockbuster filmmaking.

Dench also reflected on the evolving interpretation of James Bond himself, noting how the character shifted from the polished, invincible figure of earlier films to a grittier, more realistic persona during her tenure. She praised the humor and self-awareness brought by actors Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig, emphasizing that the role of Bond adapts uniquely to each actor’s strengths.

The conclusion of Dench’s role as M was notably influenced by Daniel Craig, who reportedly proposed the idea to kill off her character to inject new energy into the series. Dench recounted the bittersweet nature of this development, which included a brief cameo in "Spectre" despite M’s official on-screen demise. She humorously mentioned being dismissed from the role by Ralph Fiennes, who succeeded her, and dispelled rumors that her departure was marked by tears, underscoring her pride in an illustrious twenty-year Bond chapter.

Dench’s memoir sheds light on both the professional triumphs and personal reflections accompanying her iconic Bond role. Her candid recounting provides a nuanced perspective on the legacy of M, the complexities of film production, and the changing landscape of one of cinema’s most enduring franchises.