Dame Judi Dench has opened up about her fear of getting fired from film roles.
The 89-year-old Academy-winning actress is widely considered one of Britain's greatest actresses as she has enjoyed a stellar career that spans decades.
Dench is noted for her versatile work in well-known movies such as Shakespeare in Love, Mrs Brown, Notes on a Scandal, Philomena, Iris, and Belfast, as well as her role as M in GoldenEye (1995), a role she went on to play in eight James Bond films.
The beloved actress also received critical acclaim for her work in television such as the comedy series A Fine Romance (1981–1984) and the romantic series As Time Goes By and has spent two decades working for the National Theatre Company and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
But it turns out, a resume like that still isn't enough that she doesn't worry about being sacked from every film role she gets.
Despite being an acting legend, Dench recently revealed that she still has moments of self-doubt when it comes to taking on roles.
The Casino Royale star told Good Housekeeping in a new interview, via Metro, that these "moments" occur during rehearsals, in which she "leaves [her] bag nearest to the door so [she] can make a quick getaway" in case she gets sacked by casting directors.
Furthermore, Dench explained to Good Housekeeping magazine (cited by Metro): "I don’t think that fear of losing a job should ever leave any of us. Not when there are so many hundreds of people just behind you.
"I never take a part for granted - and I never will," she added.
Back in 2012, the Notes on a Scandal star was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
While the disease doesn't cause complete blindness, it decreases a person's central vision, making it more difficult to see faces, read, drive, or do other close-up work, per the National Eye Institute.
Dench explained to The Mirror that her condition affected her vision while working, sharing: "I mean, I can’t see on a film set anymore. And I can’t see to read, so I can’t see much. But you know, you just deal with it. Get on.
"It’s difficult for me if I have any length of a part. I haven’t yet found a way because I have so many friends who will teach me the script. But I have a photographic memory," she added.
Despite these setbacks, the award-winning star looks for the good aspects in life as it has become her "mantra," which is why she finds small pleasures in everyday things.
"Sometimes in life, you think all the minuses are stored up against you, but there are always pluses to be found if you look hard enough for them," she said. "For me, it’s the fact that [my daughter] Finty is happy and enjoying her work, it’s seeing my grandson do wonderful things.
"It’s having great friends who I can laugh with and talk to about absolutely anything," she continued. "All of those things are absolutely vital to me."