The Graham Norton Show. Graham Norton. Credit: So Television, Christopher Baines
The Graham Norton Show

The Graham Norton Show

  • TV chat show
  • BBC One / BBC Two
  • 2007 - 2024
  • 494 episodes (31 series)

Comic chat show presented by Graham Norton. The biggest names in showbiz join the host on his sofa.

Episode menu

Series 29, Episode 16 - Kenneth Branagh, Vicky McClure, Rachel Zegler, Rose Matafeo, Emeli Sandé

Kenneth Branagh recalls being naked on stage, Vicky McClure says viewers of her new series are in for a tense ride, Rachel Zegler talks about her rise from student to star, Rose Matafeo reveals her love of romcom, and Emeli Sandé performs live in the studio.

Further details

Kenneth Branagh, talking about his acclaimed movie Belfast, and asked what prompted him to tell the story now, says, "During lockdown everything became about re-establishing human connection. That sent me right back to my childhood at a very uncertain time in Northern Ireland and the need for human contact, for laughter and dance, and all the daftness we could grab at a dark time, and I tried to write it as truthfully as I could."

Asked about working with Judi Dench again, he says, "We have worked together 12 times now. We've practically done everything; we've been married, I've been her son, she's now my grandmother in this film - it's like the incest theatre company!" Adding, "I did a complete read through for her before she agreed to do the part and about halfway through, I got very emotional and got choked up. She held the pause while I composed myself and then said, 'I would be delighted to do it.'"

Recalling the only stage performance of his that his own grandmother saw, Kenneth says, "It took a lot to get her to leave Ireland, but we finally persuaded her. I was playing St Francis of Assisi and had to be 'reborn' naked. My granny was in the front row with opera glasses, but I really went for it. When someone at the back shouted, 'I've seen more meat on a dirty fork,' my grandmother stood up, turned around and said to him, 'Use the binoculars - it's like a hot dog!' she was always protecting me!"

Vicky McClure talking about new drama Trigger Point and asked how much harder it is being the main character rather than being part of the Line Of Duty ensemble, says, "It really took me by surprise - I felt like a crew member by the end because I had to be in every day. When Martin and Adrian had an interrogation scene, I knew I could have four days off! It wasn't the case in this show, but I was really up for it and the challenges I got were amazing."

Asked about the endless tension in the six-part storyline, she says, "Trust me, the audience has a ride to go on. It is very stressful."

Rachel Zegler, talking about her very first film role playing Maria in Steven Spielberg's new film adaptation of West Side Story, says, "It's so cool and unlike anything I could have imagined. It is definitely a baptism by fire. I've seen the film nine times and that is enough for me as I find it very hard seeing and hearing myself on screen, but I am very proud of what we did."

Asked about getting the part, which she describes as, "A fairy-tale come true," she says, "I manifested working on the film - I always had a picture of the original film in my locker at high school. 30,000 people went for the role, and I had nine auditions - no job is worth that but this one was!" Adding, "The one thing I asked Steven Spielberg for when I got the part was to still do my senior school musical production of Shrek and he said yes!"

Rose Matafeo, talking about BBC Three's hit comedy Starstruck, which returns for a second series, says, "I didn't base it on anything in particular and it isn't about me. I am a romcom freak, a huge fan of the genre, and I wanted to write something warm and nice to watch, but slightly more realistic. I describe it as fan-fiction that went way too far, got commissioned and turned into a television show!"

Asked if she has turned her back on stand-up, she says, "I love it and have done it since I was 15 so I feel I am never not going to do it, but it is horrible and nerve wracking and I've decided I don't want to have opinions anymore. Stand-up is all about opinions and it is so tiring and boring!"

Emeli Sandé performs her new single Brighter Days live in the studio before joining Graham for a chat. Talking about her forthcoming album, she says, "It's the first time I have had a say in the production, and it's been nice to make something more independently and definitely have my fingerprint on everything."

Asked about touring, she says, "We have a UK tour which should be sometime in the summer. I am excited to be out there with the band making people happy. Lockdown made me appreciate getting back on stage and making that connection with the audience."

Broadcast details

Date
Friday 21st January 2022
Time
10:35pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
45 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Thursday 27th January 2022 12:20am BBC1

Cast & crew

Cast
Graham Norton Host / Presenter
Guest cast
Emeli Sandé Guest
Kenneth Branagh Guest
Vicky McClure Guest
Rachel Zegler Guest
Rose Matafeo Guest
Writing team
Rob Colley Writer
Production team
Toby Baker Director
Jon Magnusson Series Producer
Pete Snell Producer
Graham Stuart Executive Producer
Catherine Strauss Line Producer
Perry Widdowson Editor
Chris Webster Production Designer
Mandy Furlonger Make-up Designer
Chris Rigby Lighting Designer
Jonathan Whitehead (as Trellis) Composer
Kerry Hussain Graphics

Videos

Rachel Zegler on The West Side Story

Rachel Zegler tells the story of President Barack Obama, Bruce Springsteen and John Williams visiting the set of West Side Story.

Featuring: Graham Norton & Rachel Zegler.

Rachel Zegler's long audition

Rachel Zegler on auditioning for a year for Spielberg's West Side Story and eventually asking Steven if she could still do her high school play of Shrek.

Featuring: Graham Norton & Rachel Zegler.

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