Dame Judi Dench chats about her memoir, Alan Cumming talks about following in famous footsteps, Nicola Coughlan says her new drama was quite mad to make, Tramell Tillman chats about Ebenezer, and James Blunt compares himself to Inspector Clouseau
On tonight’s show (30th October), Graham welcomes Oscar-winner Dame Judi Dench, Scottish star Alan Cumming, Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan Severance star Tramell Tillman, and singer songwriter James Blunt.
Judi, talking about her memoir Is it too Late to Make a Run for it? which was written with actor and director Brendan O’Hea, says, “He wrote it by stealth – we are such great friends that he sort of crept up on me. I have no idea how long it took to write. We would just chat and he would write.”
Asked about her late husband Michael Williams, who features in the book, an emotional Judi says, “He sent me a rose every Friday of our marriage and we were married for thirty years less 10 days.”
Reminiscing about starring in the West End at Sally Bowles in Cabaret, she says, “I thought it was quite surprising to be in a musical. I was asked to go and see the director Hal Prince and I think I sang something rather feeble like Happy Birthday at the audition. He took a big risk on me.”
Alan, talking about returning to the UK stage in My Fair Lady, says, “It is a big surprise to be doing it, and funny to be playing such an iconic character made famous by only one person really. Rex Harrison is so indelible in the role, so it’s been fascinating trying to make it mine – you just have to go with your gut. It is a great cast and we’re having such a laugh. It’s going to be lovely, and I am really looking forward to it.”
Asked about his artistic directorship of Pitlochry Festival Theatre, “It has been so exciting creating great works that start there and then go on to other places. It is a beautiful place where you are away from all the noise of London.”
Nicola, talking about her powerful new drama I Am Helen, says, “It is such an unusual project as it is completely improvised and quite a tough subject matter. I felt sick every day with nerves and thought, ‘When can I quit, I want to go home!’ You really don’t know what the show is until you see it and it is strange to watch it back. It was quite mad and a very different way of working – a really intense but amazing experience.”
Asked about starring in the next series of hit TV series Only Murders in the Building, she says, “It was very unexpected. I love the series and watch it with my mum. It is such a ridiculous cast – everyone is too famous! It was amazing fun to do, and I loved it.”
Tramell, chatting about his new film Ebenezer, says, “It’s a modern and very dark take on A Christmas Carol. It’s a ghost story and we lean into the spookiness of it, but it is still fun, and still a family movie.”
Asked about the third series of Severance, he says, “It’s happening, but I can’t say when it is out.” He also remains entirely tight lipped when asked if he might return to Spiderman.
James performs his current single Circles live in the studio before joining Graham for a chat.
Asked about The Celebrity Traitors, he says, “I was surprised to get as far as I did. I thought I was Hercule Poirot, but I turned out to be Inspector Clouseau!”
And finally, Graham pulls the lever on more foolhardy audience members brave enough to sit in the world-famous Big Red Chair to tell their funniest stories.
The Graham Norton Show, BBC One, Friday 6th November 10.40pm. Also available on BBC iPlayer.
