Simply put, Thomasin McKenzie is of the best young actresses working today, appearing in the likes of Leave No Trace (one of Ali's favourite dramas of the past decade or so), Last Night In Soho, The Power Of The Dog, Jojo Rabbit, Eileen and now Joy, her latest, now on Netflix. Joy tells the story of the three British fertility pioneers who helped make IVF a reality, namely an obstetrician called Patrick Steptoe (Bill Nighy), a physiologist called Robert Edwards (James
Norton) and a nurse / embryologist called Jean Purdy (McKenzie). In this episode of the podcast, Thomasin talks about working within this trio of charming acting types, the importance of highlighting Purdy's achievements and her love of My Neighbour Totor (you'll see).
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30:48
Gladiator 2 Interview Special feat. Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal and Connie Nielsen
Today we’re talking about Gladiator 2 with - would you believe it - the cast of Gladiator 2, namely Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington, not forgetting relative newcomer Fred Hechinger (Eighth Grade, The White Lotus, The Fear Street series). You’ll hear them talk about working with the legend that is Ridley Scott, the joy of being in a swords and sandals epic, the legacy of the first film and what it’s like performing with a monkey. Yes, a monkey. One of the emperors has a monkey. Yes, there are two emperors. Just... enjoy.
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34:24
Daisy Ridley Magpie Interview Special
Friend of the podcast Daisy Ridley stops by BBC Radio 1 towers to talk about her new film, Magpie, which she not only stars in but also produces, alongside her husband Tom Bateman, who also - checks notes - wrote the screenplay. It's a family affair, this one. It's also a neo-noir (as it goes) centring around an unhappily married couple (Ridley and Shazad Latif), their child and an alluring actress.
Perhaps it's best if Daisy explains, which she does oh-so-eloquently early on in this episode. As well as Magpie, Ali and Daisy talk all sorts of other nonsense (as it often the way) including The Great British Bake Off and the most eccentric actor she's ever worked with.
Let the guessing start... now.
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28:32
The Heretic reviewed plus The Franchise chat… with Himesh Patel!
Himesh Patel - star of Yesterday, Tenet and Good Grief - stops by BBC Radio 1 towers to chat with Ali about his new TV show, the behind-the-scenes-of-a-superhero-blockbuster comedy from Armando Iannucci, Sam Mendes and Jon Brown called ‘The Franchise’. Along the way, the pair talk about the new Hugh Grant horror film The Heretic, the pleasures of In The Loop and the joy of doing jigsaws with Richard E. Grant. Seriously.
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39:29
The Making Of Paddington In Peru Interview Special!
For this very special episode of BBC Radio 1's Screen Time, Ali got to visit Framestore, the legendary visual effects house where - amongst other things - the preposterously charming Paddington is brought to life. So that bathtub down the stairs scene? The barbershop chicanery?
The hair-raising train sequence from the end of Paddington 2? These guys. Speaking to producer Rosie Alison, VFX animation director Pablo Grillo and our new director Dougal Wilson (stepping into the shoes of Paul King, the man behind the first two Paddington films), Ali found out more about how everyone's favourite marmalade-loving bear ends up on our screens, makes us cry and leaves us really hankering for a particular kind of sandwich.