Judi Dench affectionately described as a ‘mischief maker’ — judi dench praised by Rosamund Pike

Rosamund Pike has named Judi Dench as the finest actress she has worked with, describing the veteran performer as a "mischief maker" in an interview with comedian Romesh Ranganathan. Pike, 47, praised judi dench's ability to slip fully into character and recommended listening to a short Shakespeare sonnet reading by Dench online, saying it "will move you to tears. "

Judi Dench described as mischief maker

Pike said Dench is "so delightful" and "so, so good, " calling out the actress’s playful off-stage manner and her capacity to switch instantly into a fully formed performance. Pike painted a picture of Dench as someone who can play practical jokes and be "completely out of character" between scenes, then step back into the role with complete presence.

Why judi dench impressed Pike

Pike singled out Dench as the best female co-star she has worked with, citing the veteran’s seamless transitions into character and the emotional power of small performances. She pointed to the effect of hearing Dench deliver a short Shakespeare sonnet as an example of how the actress elevates language and can move listeners with a brief passage.

Stage and screen collaborations

The two performers have worked together across stage and film. Pike recalled earlier collaborations that include a 2009 London stage production and a James Bond film from 2002, and one of their shared screen credits appeared in a well-known period adaptation. Pike used those collaborations to underline the breadth of Dench’s range on both stage and screen.

Pike’s upcoming West End run

Beyond her remarks about co-stars, Pike is set to appear in a West End production called Inter Alia, scheduled to run from 19 March until 20 June at Wyndham’s Theatre. If the run proceeds as scheduled, audiences will have an opportunity to see Pike’s stage work in person following her recent interviews and renewed public attention to her past collaborations.

• Key takeaways: Pike called Judi Dench the best actress she’s worked with and a "mischief maker. "
• Pike highlighted Dench’s comic impulse off stage and emotional precision on stage.
• Pike will appear in Inter Alia in the West End from 19 March until 20 June.

Alongside her praise for Dench, Pike also referenced a male co-star she admires for his immersive approach to acting, noting a particularly committed performance in a 2017 film. Pike contrasted that actor’s method style with her own ability to switch into performance at the last minute. The comments together sketch two different models of craft—one rooted in intense immersion and another in agility—and underscore why Pike singled out her work with Dench as particularly memorable.