By 1953, Hendry had decided that he wanted to change his career and follow his ambition of becoming an actor. In late 1952, he had applied for a place at the Central School of Speech and Drama, London, where he was accepted and trained from 1953-55. Contemporaries at the school at that time included Judi Dench and Vanessa Redgrave, who were both two years below him; Wanda Ventham, his Future co-star in the series The Lotus Eaters, who was in the year below; and Jeremy Brett and Wendy Craig, who were in the year above him.