Nothing Like a Dame (film) Nothing Like a Dame (film) Nothing Like a Dame (released in the United States as Tea With the Dames) is a 2018 documentary film directed by Roger Michell. The film documents conversations between actresses Eileen Atkins, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright and Maggie Smith interspersed with scenes from their career on film and stage. "Nothing Like a Dame" was released in the United Kingdom on May 2, 2018. The film was shown on television in the United Kingdom a few weeks after its initial theatrical release. Peter Bradshaw of "The Guardian" gave the film a five out of five star rating,
Gosford Park dropped out of the production just before the shoot began, and he was replaced by Ryan Phillippe. Kenneth Branagh and Robert Bathurst were both tied down by scheduling conflicts. Alan Rickman, Joely Richardson and Judi Dench were also considered for roles in the film. The cast is notable for featuring two knights (Michael Gambon and Derek Jacobi) and two dames (Maggie Smith and Eileen Atkins). Three other members of the cast (Alan Bates, Helen Mirren and Kristin Scott Thomas) were later elevated to that status. Filming was conducted at Wrotham Park for the exteriors, staircase, dining room and drawing room,