On this week’s show (2nd February), Graham welcomes American actors Sterling K. Brown, Dakota Johnson, and Colman Domingo, Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson, and American rapper Paul Russell.
Sterling K. Brown speculates on the Oscars, Dakota Johnson jokes about her fans, Colman Domingo talks about the Obamas, Domhnall Gleeson says his new series is gorgeous, and Paul Russell performs live in the studio.
Sterling, talking about starring in the critically acclaimed satire American Fiction, which he describes as, “A beautiful human story,” says, “It is a very funny satire on how mainstream media often see black people in very narrow perspectives, which isn’t the whole story. Every experience is different, and the film tries to show the humanity that exists in all of us.”
Asked if he is enjoying his Oscar nomination, he says, “There’s no losing yet. It will happen in its own good time. But I know I am not going to win, and I am totally fine with that. Robert Downey Jr. is going to win, and he is incredibly deserving. The fact that I get to be nominated along with him, Robert De Niro, Ryan Gosling, and Mark Ruffalo is incredible, I am just happy to be in the room.”
Talking about This is Us, Sterling says, “People still come up to me to hug and to tell me that the show changed their lives. How it provided them with some form of catharsis. I didn’t know it would have such an impact. It was really lovely.”
Dokata interjects jokingly, “That never happens to me. I just get letters from men in prison and very strange things in the post!”
Talking about joining the Marvel Universe and her role as Madame Web, she says, “She is a new character, and this is a new version of a Marvel movie. It’s different and grounded and from an entirely female perspective. It’s totally stand alone.”
Asked about performing her own stunts, she says, “I had a one-day stunt driving course and it was the most fun I have ever had.”
And on whether this is the first of many Madame Web films she gives little away other than a “Maybe.”
Colman, talking about playing the title role of the 1960s civil rights activist in Rustin, says, “He is not well known in the US as he’d been pretty much erased from history because he was openly gay. His story is great, and he was an awesome person in every way. I truly hope this film puts him back in the history books. I think that the more I am amplified, so is he and that is a beautiful thing.”
Asked about the Obamas’ approach to producing the film, he says, “They were very hands on. They gave notes on the script and on the cuts of the film and, because we were shooting during Covid, they made sure we were taking care of ourselves and each other. We became very close and warm.”
Talking about hearing the news of his Oscar nomination, he says, “I was cleaning the bathroom to distract myself when I got a text from my manager. When my husband heard the news on the TV he bursts into tears and laid on the floor and I thought, ‘I guess that was what I should have done.’ I didn’t know what to do because I was so shocked.”
Domhnall, talking about his new Channel 4 romantic drama series Alice & Jack, says, “It’s about love and how good people can hurt other people. It is beautiful and moving and I am really, really proud of it. It’s gorgeous.”
Asked about his fans, he jokes, “People seem to remember me most for a comedy sketch I did years ago when I pooed in a lemonade bottle. They shout at me in the street. I want to shout back, ‘I’ve been in The Revenant god damn it!’”
Paul performs Lil Boo Thang live in the studio before joining Graham for a chat.
Asked about his plans for 2024, he says, “There will be more music and the goal is to make an album. It’s an awesome process that blows my mind.”
And finally, Graham pulls the lever on more foolhardy audience members brave enough sit in the world-famous red chair to tell their funniest stories.
The Graham Norton Show, BBC One, Friday 2nd February 10.40pm. Also available on BBC iPlayer.
Notes to editors – All quotes in this release were made during the recording of the show but won’t necessarily appear in the final version.
Next week (9th February) Graham’s guests include Ian McKellen, Michael Sheen, Ambika Mod, and Gabrielle.
For further information please contact Mary Collins 07769 670516 or at mary@marycollins-pr.com
2nd February 2024
