Judi Dench Says Daniel Craig Was Behind Her Death as M in James Bond Films, Digi Mart USA News: Daniel Craig’s much-celebrated time as 007 was not only bad news for the world’s supervillains, as the good guys also dropped like flies.
After Craig joined the franchise in 2006’s Casino Royale, the legendary Judi Dench, who had played M since 1995’s GoldenEye, lasted just three films before her character was killed off. Bond himself also met an explosive end in No Time to Die, and according to Dench, Craig played a role in both plot twists.
Craig has been vocal in the past about his desire to kill off 007. In her new memoir, Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?, Dame Judi Dench shared that he also had a hand in her own character’s demise.
“I was taken to the Wolseley restaurant by Barbara [Broccoli], Michael [G. Wilson] and Sam [Mendes]—I don’t think Daniel Craig was there—and they outlined the plot and told me they were going to bump me off,” she revealed.
The crucial new detail, according to Dench, is this: “Apparently, it was Daniel’s idea to have me killed.”
The decision resulted in one of the series’ most impactful moments. Questions about who will take over the role of Bond remain a hot topic, but the next M, whoever it may be, is unlikely to have the same say in the fates of their co-stars.
