On this week’s show (22nd November), Graham welcomes Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman, British actor and singer Cynthia Erivo, Happy Valley star James Norton, comic and Strictly star Chris McCausland, and US singer songwriter Benson Boone.
Nicole, talking about her erotic thriller Babygirl, which she describes as “Weird, but in a good way,” says, “The thing that attracted me to the film is that it’s in the voice of the female. A lot of films in this genre we saw in the 90s came from the male view, but this is twisted around and told though the lens of a woman.”
Asked if she was reluctant to take such a sexual role, she says, “Not at all. I loved the script, I love supporting women in the industry, and it was just really good. It is exciting and bold, and I am always looking to push out of my comfort zone.”
Talking about the opening dance sequence in Perfect Couple, Nicole says, “We all said no originally as it was very strange, just odd. We didn’t know how it would work, but then we really got into it, and it took off and really helped to make the show. So, what do I know!”
Cynthia, talking about playing the ‘Wicked Witch of the West’ in Wicked, says, “It’s been three years in the making, so now I get to talk about it. I am very, very happy it is out.”
Asked about working with Ariana Grande, she says, “We only got together once we knew we were doing it. The first time we sang we realised our voices work so well together.”
Talking about singing live while doing amazing high wire stunts, she says, “It took a lot of training. Normally when you sing a big song you are grounded by the floor beneath you, but in a harness and a corset you have to find where the breath needs to be. It took a lot of physical and psychological tricks.”
James, talking about his new film Joy, which tells the story of the inception of IVF, says, “The film is important and really wonderful because it is righting a wrong. History has forgotten Jean Purdy who was vital to the science, but because she was a woman she was not honoured as she should have been.
“It is a sweet story about good people doing good things. There was a lot of love in the film and on the set and it was great hanging out with Bill Nighy and Thomasin McKenzie for the summer.” Adding, “The three of us now have a WhatsApp group call the ‘Fallopians’!”
Chris, talking about his stand-up show Yonks! he says, “With all the TV work I’ve being doing over the last five years people think I’ve come from nowhere but I’ve being doing stand up for 20 years. I love it and it’s opened all these doors to other amazing things and now those things are feeding the stand up. It’s a beautiful little circle. I love all this other stuff but I’m looking forward to getting back out on the road and doing something I am confident at.”
Asked about Strictly, he say, “Being at Blackpool was wonderful – it’s like the Wembley of ballroom dancing. I’m actually surprised I’m still in it. It was perfect and I celebrated like I’d won the FA cup!”
Talking more about the show and asked how he is taught the choreography without being able to see the routine, he explains, “When we started, we didn’t have a clue how we would do it so decided to wing it and see what happens. I had never been taught to dance and she (his partner Dianne Buswell) had never taught anyone that couldn’t see.
“She sometimes describes what needs doing, sometimes I have to get on my hands and knees and figure out what she is doing with her legs and feet, and sometimes she picks a part of me and put it where she wants it. I’m like a bendy Spiderman! But whatever it is we are doing it is working.”
Benson performs Beautiful Things live in the studio before joining Graham for a chat.
And finally, Graham pulls the lever on more foolhardy audience members brave enough sit in the world-famous Big Red Chair to tell their funniest stories.
The Graham Norton Show, BBC One, Friday 22nd November 10.40pm. Also available on BBC iPlayer.
Next week (29th November) Graham’s guests include Cher, Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightley, Josh Brolin, and Jalen Ngonda.
Graham Norton Picture credit: BBC/So Television/Christopher Baines
