Dame Judi Dench has suggested that her character in Cats is transgender.
The actor was asked about the role in a recent interview with Out.
The interviewer brought up the fact that Dench had to drop out of the 1981 production of Cats, in which she was set to play Grizabella and Jennyanydots, due to an injury.
Now, Dench portrays Old Deuteronomy, a part that has mostly gone to male performers, in the 2019 movie adaptation.
“Its glorious to have been included in it, I must say,” Dench told Out. “[It was] nerve-wracking, because all I can hear is [1981 Old Deuteronomy actor] Brian Blessed all the time in the production that I wasn’t able to be in.”
She added: “Totally unexpected, it was. I kind of call it trans Deuteronomy is the part for me, you know.
“But it was lovely to be led about and be and aged old cat. Very nice indeed.”
The Independent has contacted Dench’s agent for comment.
Her remarks have been met with scepticism on social media, though some suggested the actor was speaking in jest.
