On the first show of 2026 (9th January), Graham welcomes Hollywood star Chris Pratt, Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, comedian and writer Dawn French, comic Rob Beckett, and singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti.
Chris, talking about his new AI thriller Mercy, says, “It is set in the near distant future and oddly the AI doesn’t seem that farfetched. The story is 90 mins of real time. It is a very active movie and such an immersive experience – it keeps you on the edge of your seat. It is awesome, and the reaction to it has been really positive.”
Asked if an AI actor could have played the Judge Maddox role in the movie, he says, “No. Everyone was resistant to that. I don’t think it would have worked. I love AI and use it all the time but as a parent it freaks me out. But it is also so cool!”
Talking about this year’s Christmas presents from his father-in-law Arnold Schwarzenegger, he says, “Arnie’s love language is going all out with his gifts. One of ours was a six by eight-foot portrait painting of our three children and him dressed as Santa Claus. It’s the most beautiful portrait you’ve ever seen. It’s very lifelike and it’s very big. It was really thoughtful, but we’re not sure what we are meant to do with it for the rest of year!”
Dawn interjects, “You can’t regift that really, can you.”
Cynthia, talking about playing all 23 roles in new stage production Dracula, says, “It is ridiculous. It is like Kip William’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, but on crack! Learning the lines was interesting with all the accents and because of what is on stage and what is filmed. It is a complete brain puzzle.”
Asked about playing the title role in Jesus Christ Superstar at the 17,500-capacity Hollywood Bowl, she says, “I loved every second, but it was the scariest thing I have ever done. I was terrified but relished the challenge. It was crazy.”
Dawn, talking about new BBC series Can You Keep a Secret? which she describes as a hybrid between a sitcom and a thriller, says, “I am offered a lot of sitcoms, so I originally did not want to do it at all. A good one is as rare as hens’ teeth, but this is so good.”
Rob, talking about his latest Rob & Romesh Vs, episodes in which he and Romesh Ranganathan enter the worlds of winter Olympic sports and Shakespeare, he says, “Performing at the Globe was terrifying. There is such a different energy to stand up but we managed a good enough performance. And, on taking part in a biathlon, he says, “I’ve competed in it but is still don’t understand it. it was awful. Curling was so much better than skiing with a gun on your back.”
Jack performs We Will Always Be The Way We Were live in the studio before joining Graham for a chat about his album and upcoming gig at the Royal Albert Hall.
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 and iPlayer Friday 9th January 10.40pm
Next week (16th January) Graham guests include Martin Freeman, Erin Doherty and Olivia Dean.
Picture: BBC/So Television/The Graham Norton Show/Christopher Baines
