BSW: And, although you're widely respected as classical actors, you're not above doing fun, lighthearted projects, such as Harry Potter [where Smith plays Professor McGonagall]. Did you make a conscious choice to seek out more commercial fare?

Smith: It's not a choice; it just comes up. Suddenly, out of the blue, somebody will ask you to do something extraordinary. And part of what's so terrific about it is that you don't know what's around any corner. You worry it will be a dead end at some point. At times I've thought, "Oh, there's nothing turning up." And something wonderful does.

Dench: And, although Harry Potter and Bond look like fun, it's exactly the same process you have to work through. And it's tough. I think people think you just kind of phone it in, but it's not like that. There are long, long days when you're trying to get something right.