On this week’s show Graham welcomes Scottish star of Trainspotting and Star Wars Ewan McGregor, Oscar-nominated actress and singer Kate Hudson, James Bond and Moonlight star Naomie Harris, Irish actor and comedian Chris O'Dowd, and singer songwriter Self Esteem.
Ewan, talking about his return to the London stage after 17 years in My Master Builder, says, “It is a new play but borrows themes from, and is loosely based on, Ibsen’s classic. I’ve never done a new play, so it is cool to have my name listed in the original cast.”
Asked about his Star Wars spin off Obi-Wan Kenobi, he says, “I’d never met or acted with Darth Vader before. We had a fight scene which we had rehearsed a lot then we went and got ready in costume and as I turned around in the scene and faced Darth Vader I was like, ‘F**k!’ I properly got a fright. I was seven years old again and here was the face of terror. We had to take it again as I’d completely come out of character.”
Kate, talking about her new album Glorious Deluxe, says, “I finally took the leap and made a record. There was a moment during the Covid lockdown when we all thought we were going to die so I thought about my creative output and realised I had to do some music no matter what.
“I had tried before in my early 30s but was told I was too old, and I thought that ship had sailed, but after Covid nothing mattered any more. When I finally did it, I thought, ‘Why has it taken me so long?’”
Asked about Right on Time, the song inspired by her mother Goldie Hawn, she says, “I think she was confused at first but when I told her it was about her childhood, she was very emotional. You become the keeper of your parents’ stories so to be able to share it with the world is wonderful. It honours my mom.”
Talking more about her mother, she says, “She is magical and completely insane, depending on the day, but she is amazing and such a light.”
Naomie, talking about her new thriller Black Bag, says, “I can’t say much because it’s all about who you can trust so I can’t give anything away. What is great about it is that it is a classic spy thriller but with so much humour.”
Talking about working with director Steven Soderbergh, Naomie says, “It was an unusual experience. Because he knows he has cast well he leaves everyone to their own devices – it is a gift.”
Chris, talking about his quirky new comedy drama Small Town, Big Story, which he describes as “A grown-up version of Moone Boy,” says, “It just came out of my head during Lockdown. They couldn’t stop me being in it – my character is a scoundrel and a blaggard, and I really wanted to play someone that felt 100% bullshitter.”
Recalling a rather embarrassing moment with Beyoncé, he says, “We had been in the same animation film so when we met at the screening she said to me, “You have the best voice.’ I replied, ‘You have a great voice too Beyoncé. We have not stayed in touch!”
Self Esteem performs her new single Focus is Power 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 21st February 10.40pm. Also available on BBC iPlayer.
Next week (28th February) guest host Claudia Winkleman is joined by Chris Pratt, Saoirse-Monica Jackson and Rob Beckett.
Graham Norton Picture credit: BBC/So Television/Christopher Baines
