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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Entertainment
Lauren Williams & Maisie Lillywhite

Kenneth Branagh: Dame Judi Dench's 'threat' to Belfast director as payback

Dame Judi Dench has told of how she once 'threatened' Belfast co-star Kenneth Branagh as a result of his unique techniques whilst working together.

On Wednesday night's edition of 'The One Show' (January 19), Dame Judi and Ciarán Hinds were interviewed by presenters Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas. The pair appeared on the show to discuss the upcoming feature film 'Belfast', The Express reports.

Directed by Kenneth Branagh, who was born in the Northern Irish capital, Belfast follows the life of a working class family and their young son during the tumultuous late 1960s.

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After informing viewers what they can expect from the semi-autobiographical film, Dame Judi shed some light on the close relationship she shares with the director, and how she 'teased' him for his unique acting and directing techniques.

Presenter Alex Jones asked the 87-year-old: "As Ciarán said, Kenneth Branagh directed it, now Dame Judi, I know that you directed Kenneth before.

“And he would sometimes not listen and change some of the lines. Now did you get him back?”

Laughing at the comment, Judi said: "I got him back eventually, I directed two things for him, I directed Look Back in Anger and Much Ado.

Dame Judi Dench has admitted to lightheartedly threatening Kenneth Branagh (2021 Getty Images)

“They went out on tour, and I went to give them notes after Much Ado one night, and he left. He left the theatre I think in his costume actually, so he never got the notes.

"I didn’t have to do it on this, but I always kind of held it over him [and] threatened him with it, I’ll go ‘I’ll walk out on you any minute'.”

When Ciarán and Judi first met, the dame was wearing a unique face accessory.

Ciarán explained their first meeting to The One Show viewers and presenters. He said: "Myself and Jamie Dornan and Caitriona Balfe were already assembled around a very wide table due to Covid.

“Judi came in bang on time with this ferocious-looking, snarling tiger's mask, and we were all just there!

"Basically it meant she means business as soon as she came through the door!”

The pair quickly grew close behind the scenes of Belfast, which is in cinemas from today, January 21.

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