Judi Dench
St Martin's Press
3 November 2026
368
eBook - PDF
Autobiography
ARC via NetGalley
In her new book, Dame Judi Dench tells us of her life on the stage, on the screen, and, above all, behind the scenes …
In Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It? Judi Dench takes us on a heartfelt and hilarious tour of her extraordinary life and career. From growing up in York and being miffed at not getting the part of Mary in the school Nativity pageant, playing to sold-out houses on Broadway in Amy’s View, walking the red carpets of Hollywood, garnering eight Oscar nominations, and winning a historic one for her unforgettable performance as Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love, Judi Dench has done it all. And, to leave nothing undone, she turned James Bond’s M into the most astute and unflinching Head of MI6 anyone could ever have imagined.
Yet despite the accolades, she has been accompanied by doubt. From the movie producer who said she had “everything wrong” with her face, to the theatre director who advised her against doing sitcom. Is it any wonder she leaves a bag by the rehearsal room door in case she has to make a run for it?
But stepping out of her comfort zone has been Judi’s guiding principle. And here, she reveals all in this heart-to-heart conversation. She tells stories of pranks (both on stage and off), dissects her greatest screen roles, shares tales of her joyful marriage to actor Michael Williams, as well as her passion for nature and animals.
Written with her friend and writing partner, Brendan O’Hea, this is Judi Dench’s story – funny, honest, intimate, enlightening, surprising, moving, and deeply inspiring. Over ninety years in the making, Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It? is the story of the world’s most beloved actor.
Is it too Late to Make a Run for it? is a book that sometimes had me laughing out loud but which also wasn't exactly what I had expected. I guess I had imagine a more in-depth discussion of some of her roles, but this was only lightly touched on as the book centred more on personal recollections and anecdotes. That doesn't mean it was bad though, just not what I had gone in expecting. If you are a fan of Judi Dench you will definitely enjoy this personal and touching conversation about her life. Sometimes I thought I could never live with her: I couldn't allow mice to run around in my roof. But her personality really shines through in her replies, making this a light and enjoyable autobiographical read. I am giving it 4 stars.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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