British cinema legends Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan have thrust the sensitive topic of assisted dying into the national spotlight, using the promotional circuit for their latest film to share deeply personal views on end-of-life choice. In a candid conversation with Saga Magazine published August 20, 2025, the two actors—both icons in their own right—spoke with remarkable clarity and conviction about why they support the right to assisted dying, echoing the sentiments of a majority of Britons as the United Kingdom edges closer to legalizing the practice.
Helen Mirren, now 80, was unequivocal in her stance. “I absolutely believe in assisted dying,” she declared. Her co-star, Pierce Brosnan, 72, nodded in agreement, recounting his own experiences with loss and suffering. “I think when my time comes, I’d like to be able to have the choice to say: ‘Okay, let’s have that cup of tea and say goodbye,’” Brosnan shared, reflecting on the painful moments he has witnessed among loved ones. Mirren responded warmly, “Yes, in a warm and loving way. I do absolutely believe in that.”
Their remarks arrive at a pivotal moment in the UK’s ongoing debate over assisted dying. According to The Express, the British Parliament recently took a significant step forward on the issue. In June 2025, lawmakers supported Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill during a crucial vote. The legislation, which would allow terminally ill adults greater autonomy over their final days, now advances to the House of Lords for a second reading scheduled on September 12, 2025.
Graham Winyard, director of the advocacy group My Death, My Decision, told The Express, “It’s powerful to see cultural icons like Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan adding their voices to this cause. They reflect what so many families across the UK feel—that compassion, dignity, and choice should guide our laws at the end of life. We want to thank them for their support on this important issue.”
Public opinion polls have consistently shown that a vast majority of British citizens support the legalization of assisted dying, especially for those facing terminal illness and unbearable suffering. The statements from Mirren and Brosnan, both widely respected and beloved, seem to capture a growing consensus that the law should reflect compassion and respect for individual choice at life’s end. Their high-profile endorsement could prove influential as the House of Lords prepares to debate the bill next month.
Mirren and Brosnan’s public conversation came as part of the promotional campaign for the new film adaptation of Richard Osman’s bestselling novel, The Thursday Murder Club. The story follows a group of retirement home residents who gather to investigate cold cases, only to become embroiled in a real-life mystery. Both actors star in the film, with Mirren taking on the role of Elizabeth, a retired spy, and Brosnan joining the ensemble cast.
Discussing her character, Mirren offered a thoughtful comparison to Brosnan’s most famous role as James Bond. “She’s more realistic than Bond,” Mirren said of Elizabeth. “But not so much fun as Bond! I’m such a feminist, but James Bond has to be a guy. You can’t have a woman. It just doesn’t work. James Bond has to be James Bond, otherwise it becomes something else.” Her comments, as reported by The Express, reflect a nuanced view of gender roles in film, even as she champions strong and complex female characters.
Brosnan, who played James Bond in four blockbuster films, also reflected on the passage of time and the realities of aging—both in life and on screen. “I don’t see myself as an old man at all,” he told Saga Magazine. “But I suppose I would be considered an old man by some and I am getting older, that’s for sure.” He continued, “So The Thursday Murder Club dealt with all of those intricacies of the heart that are so fragile to look at sometimes.” The film, much like the book, doesn’t shy away from the complexities and vulnerabilities that come with aging, a theme both actors said resonated with them personally.
The intersection of art and life is especially poignant in this case: a film about seniors grappling with mortality, starring two actors unafraid to speak frankly about their own beliefs on death and dignity. Their willingness to use their platform for advocacy has drawn praise from campaigners and fans alike. Winyard, of My Death, My Decision, emphasized that such high-profile support “mirrors the sentiments of a vast majority of British citizens” and helps keep the conversation focused on compassion and choice.
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, championed by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, seeks to give terminally ill adults the legal right to seek assistance in ending their lives under strict safeguards. The bill’s progress through Parliament has been closely watched, with supporters arguing that it would prevent needless suffering and allow people to die with dignity, while opponents warn of potential abuses and ethical dilemmas. The upcoming House of Lords debate is expected to be passionate and closely contested, with lawmakers on both sides preparing to argue their cases.
Mirren and Brosnan’s public endorsement comes at a time when the UK, like many countries, is wrestling with how best to balance compassion, autonomy, and protection for the vulnerable. Their voices add a deeply personal dimension to a debate that is often mired in legal and medical jargon. As Mirren put it, the issue is ultimately about ensuring that end-of-life decisions are made “in a warm and loving way.”
For many, the support of such respected figures could help shift public perception and political will. It remains to be seen whether the House of Lords will follow the lead of the Commons and the majority of the public, but one thing is clear: the conversation around assisted dying in Britain has gained new urgency and humanity, thanks in no small part to Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan.
As the UK stands on the cusp of potentially historic change, the words and experiences of those who have lived long, full lives—and who are willing to speak openly about their hopes for a dignified end—carry a resonance that is hard to ignore.
