All the I'm a Celebrity winners – from Danny Jones to Giovanna Fletcher and Harry Redknapp
A total of 24 celebs have taken the crown - can't remember them all? We've got the rundown.
Another series of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! is set for its conclusion. One of 2025's three finalists – YouTuber Angry Ginge, actress Shona McGarty, and Celebs Go Dating star Tom Read Wilson – will be crowned the new King or Queen of the Jungle in tonight's final. 12 famous faces headed Down Under ready to face the creepy crawlies, gruelling tasks and jungle living. Eight have left camp over the past five weeks, including the likes of Martin Kemp, Alex Scott and Ruby Wax. The final will see the remaining four follow in their footsteps and the I'm a Celebrity 2025 winner named. Last year, Danny Jones earned the King of the Jungle title after receiving 55.21 per cent of the votes, with Coleen Rooney second and Rev. Richard Coles in third. However, there have been some slightly more surprising wins over the year, from former prime minister Margaret Thatcher's daughter Carol, who won in 2005, to Kerry Katona, who was Queen of the Jungle the following year, despite being scared of pretty much everything (especially spiders)! As season 25 comes to an end, RadioTimes.com has rustled together a list of all the show's winners from the first series in 2000, right up to the reigning champ! I'm a Celebrity winners list in full Danny Jones Year: 2024 Runner up: Coleen Rooney McFly frontman Danny Jones won last year's series of I'm a Celebrity, having charmed ITV viewers. Jones thanked voters "from the bottom of my heart" and revealed: "I gave my all in there, gave myself, and it's a lovely feeling to be liked." He is the second McFly band member to win the show after 2011 King of the Jungle Dougie Poynter. Sam Thompson Year: 2023 Runner up: Tony Bellew TV personality and presenter Sam Thompson took home the 2024 crown, after winning the hearts of the nation. After winning the show, super fan Sam was very emotional. He told Ant & Dec: "I feel overwhelmed. I didn't even think I would get invited on the show." When asked if he had a message for voters, he said: "I'm so grateful. I have dreamed of being on this show." Jill Scott Year: 2022 Runner up: Owen Warner Footballer Jill Scott was crowned the Queen of the Jungle in the I'm a Celebrity 2022 final. Scott beat finalists Owen Warner and Matt Hancock, who came in second and third place respectively. The former Lioness received 57.6 per cent of the final vote, with Owen Warner not too far behind with 42.3 per cent. Danny Miller Year: 2021 Runner up: Simon Gregson Emmerdale star Danny Miller was crowned the first ever King of the Castle at the I'm A Celebrity 2021 final. Speaking to Ant and Dec, Miller revealed taking part in the show was the "best thing" to happen to him, asides from his son. He beat finalists Simon Gregson and Frankie Bridge, as they came in second and third place respectively. Giovanna Fletcher Year: 2020 Runner up: Jordan North A remarkable three weeks in the castle came to a close with Giovanna Fletcher crowned as the queen in the first series not to be set in Australia. Throughout the 2020 series of I'm A Celebrity, Giovanna cared for all her campmates and was a deserving champion of a thrilling series. Jacqueline Jossa Year: 2019 Runner up: Andy Whyment The former EastEnders star was victorious in a year that many claimed did not quite live up to the standards of the previous series. In her time in the jungle, Jacqueline dealt with rumours about her private life, numerous terror-inducing Bushtucker Trials and became a popular figure in camp and around the country thanks to her openness and bravery in the face of fear. Harry Redknapp Year: 2018 Runner up: Emily Atack King of the Jungle, Harry Redknapp, captured the nation’s heart with tales of life in Stepney, his love for his “peng ting” wife Sandra, jam roly-polys and his unfaltering kindness. He had viewers in hysterics when during a Bushtucker Trial he shouted out “Yabba Dabba Doo” as campmate Noel Edmonds had to hold a Yabby in his mouth. Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo Year: 2017 Runner up: Jamie Lomas This “Toff” cookie proved that posh girls can get down and dirty. She met all jungle adversity with her infectious grin. Radiating positivity, combating camp sexism and battling victoriously in Bushtucker trials, it was no surprise to viewers that this “Jungle Barbie” took home the crown. “When the going gets tough, Toff gets going”. Scarlett Moffatt View oEmbed on the source website Year: 2016 Runner up: Joel Dommett Scarlett Moffatt quickly became a national sweetheart during her time in the Jungle with her down to earth personality, modesty and relatable charm. Since her outback stint, the Gogglebox star has co-presented Extra Camp and Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway. She most recently appeared in The British Tribe Next Door, a four-part documentary, commissioned by Channel 4, in which Scarlett and her family relocated to a remote Namibian village to live alongside the Himba tribe. Vicky Pattison View oEmbed on the source website Year: 2015 Runner up: George Shelley “Why aye, man”, this Geordie lass won viewers over with her ballsy Bushtucker trials, her Northern vernacular and the vulnerable revelations she made about the regrets of her reality-TV show past. It seems that once wasn’t enough for this Queen though, as she returned to the jungle in 2018 for I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here Australia on which she came fourth. Carl Fogarty View oEmbed on the source website Year: 2014 Runner up: Jake Quickenden Nicknamed “Tarzan of the Jungle”, the former professional biker was commended for his strength and bravery during his stint in the jungle. In his final trial, viewers watched as he ate ostrich anus to get his hands on three main course meals for the finalists. The ex-sportsman was forced to retire from racing in 2000 following a high-speed collision. Kian Egan View oEmbed on the source website Year: 2013 Runner up: David Emmanuel From Westlife to wildlife, it didn’t take long for this King of the Jungle to establish himself as a leader. With his soft Irish voice, dazzling smile and his ability to combat any task (even the eating ones!), he was an absolute favourite to win. He made it his mission to keep the camp happy and audiences loved him for it. Charlie Brooks View oEmbed on the source website Year: 2012 Runner up: Ashley Roberts From sobbing because she just couldn’t “stop thinking about fajitas” to wading through fish guts, this feisty Queen was iconic during her stay in the Jungle. Some of our favourite moments include the time she told Helen Flanagan to “get a grip” and her dance to Pussycat Dolls’ song Don’t Cha. And hearts broke when Charlie failed to guess what door her daughter was hiding behind during a Dingo Dollar Challenge, leaving the pair unable to reunite. Dougie Poynter View oEmbed on the source website Year: 2011 Runner up: Mark Wright McFly's Dougie was a bundle of fun in the jungle, from his captivating bromance with Mark Wright (what happened to that friendship?) to bringing the bandana back into fashion. Some of our favourite moments include: watching him trying on a bra and the in-depth commentary of his time spent in the camp dunny. Stacey Solomon Year: 2010 Runner up: Shaun Ryder Throwing a stone at Dom Joly during a Camp Secret Mission and her heated debate defending women’s rights were our favourite Stacey Solomon jungle highlights. Since her stint in the outback, Stacey has become a popular TV personality and presenter. She's part of a winning household as she is married to 2008 King of the Jungle Joe Swash. Gino D’Acampo View oEmbed on the source website Year: 2009 Runner up: Kim Woodburn What a series! Gino and his gesticulations! From the drama of getting a tic, to declaring he was “very horny” to trying to set up his fellow campmates by asking if they wanted to see each other “dance around the fire naked”. His antics with Stuart Mannin, which saw them catch, kill and eat a rat, did cause controversy. The duo faced charges for animal cruelty. However, all charges were dropped after ITV accepted responsibility. Joe Swash Year: 2008 Runner Up: Martina Navratilova This cheeky chappy took the jungle camp by storm in 2008 – from stroking campmate George Takei’s bum to gagging during eating challenges and for always sticking up for “the little ones”. After the series, he went on to co-present the spin-off series I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here NOW! He has been married to Jungle Queen Stacey Solomon since 2016. Christopher Biggins View oEmbed on the source website Year: 2007 Runner up: Janice Dickinson Our favourite Christopher Biggins moment was when he accidentally cuddled up with a rat! Biggins appeared in the show after withdrawing from his Christmas panto – breaking his 38-year streak of panto performing. Matt Willis View oEmbed on the source website Year: 2006 Runner up: Myleene Klass Matt lost a whopping two stone in the jungle, but he didn’t lose the crown – even though he went into the final day as the 8-1 underdog. During a Bushtucker trial, he ate a kangaroo anus, crocodile penis, crocodile eye and some mealworms. Carol Thatcher Year: 2005 Runner up: Sheree Murphy She entered camp as a 33-1 outsider to win the Jungle Crown, but her self-deprecating humour, humility and down to earth nature captivated audiences. She admitted that the Iron Lady did not tune in to watch her competing in Bushtucker Trials, but some 10 million viewers did as she pulled down her knickers and squatted on the floor next to her hammock over using the camp dunny! Joe Pasquale Year: 2004 Runner up: Paul Burrell Making friends with emus, cracking up his campmates and becoming the first celebrity to win eight stars – it wasn’t a surprise when Joe Pasquale took the Jungle Crown. His eight-star victory in ‘Hell-O-Copter’ was dubbed the most dramatic and expensive trial ever. Kerry Katona Year: 2003 Runner up: Jennie Bond Our first Queen of the Jungle! Learning to box with Peter Andre, her hilarious monologues and her rather long cuddle and a kiss with Katie Price were some of our favourite moments! Since leaving the jungle, Kerry Katona has also had her own reality TV show and been a regular on a host of others, including Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. Phil Tufnell Year: 2002 Runner up: John Fashanu In the same year that he retired from professional cricket, Phil was crowned King of the Jungle, a remarkable feat for a man who vented his frustrations at being "bored" and feeling "pointless". Tufnell clearly got a taste for reality TV and later took part in The Chase, The Jump and Strictly Come Dancing. He is currently a commentator for Test Match Special on BBC Radio 5 Live. Tony Blackburn Year: 2001 Runner up: Tara Palmer Tomkinson First-ever winner Tony Blackburn charmed the nation with his relaxed demeanour and his perseverance and kindness. He also entertained with his impression of boxer Nigel Benn. Following his jungle success, he continued in radio and still presents on BBC Radio 2. I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! concludes tonight (Sunday, 7th December) at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Can the YouTuber, boxer and businessman make it as a “cut-throat” TV judge?
Add Britain's Got Talent to your watchlist What’s the view from your sofa? I have a beige, L-shaped sofa with orange pillows, and there’s a nice carpet underneath it. Right next to the TV is a massive cat tree for my two sphynxes. What have you enjoyed watching on telly recently? I enjoyed Severance on Apple TV, and I’ve just finished the second series of Silo. I’d highly recommend that. I also thought The Traitors was really good. How do you think you’d fare on The Traitors? Whenever I play among friends, I’m always the first to get voted out. People instantly don’t trust me! You’re joining Britain’s Got Talent as a guest judge. Were you nervous? A bit! It’s something different and the audience can be quite intimidating – especially if you say, “No, this is terrible.” There can be a lot of booing… You have 25 million subscribers on YouTube — do you think you landed the BGT gig because you pull in a young audience who otherwise might evade mainstream telly? Britain’s Got Talent saw my audience and how engaged they are and obviously wanted to tap into that. But I’m from the YouTube world – I’m cut-throat and straightforward. Some people aren’t going to like that. It’s quite polarising! I’m not just going to guest-judge and be the same as everybody else. I bring my own style to it. If I think something is bad, I’ll say. What was the worst audition you saw? There was a person who did impressions and they were awful. You could tell he was really trying. When I told him how bad it was, he was visibly upset, on the verge of tears – but I just said, “I know you travelled all this way, but that was bad, bro. I’m sorry man.” There will be people who watch it and say, “You don’t have what it takes to be a judge. What gives you the qualifications?” But I’ve been making content for years. I’ve seen the best of the best and the worst of the worst. I’m very qualified to see what will do well and I’m not going to sugarcoat it. As someone who has forged a career on the internet, you must have had your fair share of online criticism… I’m resilient, but obviously some stuff does get to me. If you truly believe in yourself, then it doesn’t matter. If I make a video that I think is good and someone says otherwise, I don’t care. What I care about is making sure people are engaged enough to want to say something. If people are watching it and moving on and not speaking about it – that’s bad. I want emotion. I want you to really love or really hate me. There’s a lot of pressure on social media companies to take responsibility for content that’s posted on their platforms. Do you think we need more individual responsibility? It’s like trying to say the police have to monitor every single thing a person says in public – it’s not possible. We live in a free country, there’s freedom of speech. And a lot of the time, if you try to restrict certain people from speaking, you give them more power – whereas if you ignore them, they lose power because no one cares. YouTubers are moving into mainstream TV — you’ve got Mr Beast with an Amazon Prime Show [Beast Games] and your YouTube show Inside is moving to Netflix for series two. Is online video still the future or are we seeing a move to the mainstream? YouTube is a platform where you can build an audience – you can then take that content to Netflix and Amazon. I don’t think YouTube will ever be King, and I don’t think Netflix will ever be King. They go hand in hand. The streaming services have great content. But on YouTube it’s the wild, wild west – you can put whatever you want out there and see if you can build an audience.
KSI on joining BGT: "People will question me as a judge, but I’ve been making content for years"
KSI is stepping in for Bruno Tonioli in the new series.
This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine. What’s the view from your sofa? I have a beige, L-shaped sofa with orange pillows, and there’s a nice carpet underneath it. Right next to the TV is a massive cat tree for my two sphynxes. What have you enjoyed watching on telly recently? I enjoyed Severance on Apple TV, and I’ve just finished the second series of Silo. I’d highly recommend that. I also thought The Traitors was really good. How do you think you’d fare on The Traitors? Whenever I play among friends, I’m always the first to get voted out. People instantly don’t trust me! You’re joining Britain’s Got Talent as a guest judge. Were you nervous? A bit! It’s something different and the audience can be quite intimidating – especially if you say, "No, this is terrible." There can be a lot of booing… You have 25 million subscribers on YouTube — do you think you landed the BGT gig because you pull in a young audience who otherwise might evade mainstream telly? Britain’s Got Talent saw my audience and how engaged they are and obviously wanted to tap into that. But I’m from the YouTube world – I’m cut-throat and straightforward. Some people aren’t going to like that. It’s quite polarising! I’m not just going to guest-judge and be the same as everybody else. I bring my own style to it. If I think something is bad, I’ll say. What was the worst audition you saw? There was a person who did impressions and they were awful. You could tell he was really trying. When I told him how bad it was, he was visibly upset, on the verge of tears – but I just said, "I know you travelled all this way, but that was bad, bro. I’m sorry man." There will be people who watch it and say, “You don’t have what it takes to be a judge. What gives you the qualifications?” But I’ve been making content for years. I’ve seen the best of the best and the worst of the worst. I’m very qualified to see what will do well and I’m not going to sugarcoat it. As someone who has forged a career on the internet, you must have had your fair share of online criticism… I’m resilient, but obviously some stuff does get to me. If you truly believe in yourself, then it doesn’t matter. If I make a video that I think is good and someone says otherwise, I don’t care. What I care about is making sure people are engaged enough to want to say something. If people are watching it and moving on and not speaking about it – that’s bad. I want emotion. I want you to really love or really hate me. There’s a lot of pressure on social media companies to take responsibility for content that’s posted on their platforms. Do you think we need more individual responsibility? It’s like trying to say the police have to monitor every single thing a person says in public – it’s not possible. We live in a free country, there’s freedom of speech. And a lot of the time, if you try to restrict certain people from speaking, you give them more power – whereas if you ignore them, they lose power because no one cares. YouTubers are moving into mainstream TV — you’ve got Mr Beast with an Amazon Prime Show [Beast Games] and your YouTube show Inside is moving to Netflix for series two. Is online video still the future or are we seeing a move to the mainstream? YouTube is a platform where you can build an audience – you can then take that content to Netflix and Amazon. I don’t think YouTube will ever be King, and I don’t think Netflix will ever be King. They go hand in hand. The streaming services have great content. But on YouTube it’s the wild, wild west – you can put whatever you want out there and see if you can build an audience. The latest issue of Radio Times is out now – subscribe here. Britain's Got Talent starts at 7pm on Saturday 22nd February on ITV, STV and ITV. Visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
A travel guide to 'The Road Trip’s' Gran Canaria
Follow the cast of new TV drama The Road Trip, and find your own adventure on Gran Canaria.
There’s so much sunshine in the new six-part Paramount+ drama The Road Trip, you can almost soak up the vitamin D through the screen. Based on the bestselling novel by Beth O’Leary, it follows Addie (Emma Appleton), a spirited 20-something who’s spent two years living on her sister Deb’s couch after a romantic break-up. Now she’s taking a ferry from Bristol and driving through Spain in her campervan to get to a wedding at which her ex, Dylan (Laurie Davidson), will also make an appearance. But even before she’s cleared the border, a car accident forces her to allow Dylan – and his mate Marcus – along for the ride, together with her sister and a fellow wedding guest, Rodney. The drama flip-flops between two timelines – the tumultuous road trip through Spain, and the early days of Addie and Dylan’s relationship that, coincidentally, begins as a holiday romance in Málaga – and it’s set against a backdrop of mountainous terrain, coastal drives and quaint pastel-coloured villages. It’s the perfect sunny summer holiday, served up on a television-sized platter. Request a holiday brochure from one of our partners Following in Addie’s flip-flop prints – on Gran Canaria, where the show was shot – I arrive at the resort town of Maspalomas, and savour those famously reliable rays of Canary Island sunshine on my skin. I’m staying at Seaside Palm Beach (hotel-palm-beach.com), a five-star resort on the coast, where pristine white umbrellas shade sun-kissed retirees sipping cocktails and completing crosswords. I dive into the turquoise blue pool and swim to the island in the middle; looking out, green-topped palm trees and clear blue skies are the only things I can see. In the evening, I stroll through the “Little Venice of the Canaries”, Puerto de Mogán. It’s a picturesque marina and the sunset burnishes its beauty, reflecting the yachts in the glittering water. The harbour front is alive with vibrant restaurants and the delicious scent of meat grilled over charcoal. The surrounding streets are lined with white houses and their brightly coloured doors and windowpanes; trellises are bejewelled with pink and purple flowers. The location exudes romance – Addie and Dylan first meet at a charming local restaurant – and it’s easy to see why Gran Canaria, with its bustling, delicious night scene, has been chosen as the backdrop for their love story. It’s a short drive from here to Restaurante 360, which boasts fine dining and a panoramic view of a lit-up Maspalomas (bohemia-grancanaria.com/es/restaurante-y-cocktail-bar). The place has an elegant ambience, with refined décor, but it’s the food that takes centre stage. The tasting menu has five main dishes, followed by dessert – all paired with wine sourced from the Canaries. The crispy octopus croquettes, wrapped in a salty serrano ham and coated in a rich piquillo sauce, are delightfully crunchy, while the lamb shank terrine is so soft it flakes under the slightest pressure from my fork. The next morning, I leave Maspalomas behind and enter The Road Trip territory, driv[1]ing through winding roads that curve through mountainous peaks. The landscape, like that in the series, is arid, the desert-like terrain a stark contrast to the bright-blue sky. I stop at a viewpoint, Mirador Astronómico de la Degollada de las Yeguas (you’ll be able to spot it in the show), that overlooks a rocky valley scorched by a dirt road zigzagging through it. As I drive higher up, the terrain shifts, giving way to rolling hills that feel almost alpine. I get out of the car and enjoy the tranquillity as the clouds drift over the mountain range. Next stop on my tour is the village of Agüimes, where I get to watch, briefly, a scene from The Road Trip being filmed in a portion of the village that has been cordoned off. It’s a scene close to the climax of the drama, and the sleepy surroundings contrast with the heightening tension between Addie and Dylan. A brilliant white church looms majestically – and filming is briefly interrupted as its bells ring out. The final leg of my journey is to the capital of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, where cast and crew were put up during the shoot. (Its cobbled streets and sandy-coloured buildings also feature in the series.) I’m particularly moved by the Catedral Metropolitana de Santa Ana de Canarias, which stands majestically at the head of a square. It has an elegant, unfussy façade – but as I venture closer, I see the intricate design of the stained-glass windows and how the light plays with their rich colours. People-watching in the square is equally enjoyable: an old couple sit hand in hand on a bench, deep in conversation, youngsters mill about laughing and flirting, tourists take pictures. For dinner, I eat local at Casa Montesdeoca (restaurantecasamontesdeoca.com), with fairy lights on its bare stone walls and tables set among trees growing in its courtyard. The next day, I say goodbye to the unflinching sunshine and leave for the UK. No more three-hour lunches with crisp white wine, but at least I can watch The Road Trip for a fix of vitamin sea. Request a holiday brochure from one of our partners
Meet Lloyd Griffith and Tai Hara, the supporting stars of the BBC's new Death in Paradise spin-off
View oEmbed on the source website
Star Anna Samson reveals what it’s like to be the first female detective in the new Australian Death in Paradise spin-off
Add Return to Paradise to your watchlist There is a reason Death in Paradise has been on our screens for 13 years. White-sand beaches, crystal-clear blue waters, unflinching sunlight and crimes that are wrapped up in an hour have proven to be a sure-fire recipe for success. And if the formula isn’t broken, you need not fix it. In fact, it’s probably wise to monopolise on it. Enter, Return to Paradise. View oEmbed on the source website In this spin-off, Guadeloupe has been replaced by Australia and the island of St Marie for the quiet, mesmeric coastal town of Dolphin Cove. It’s predictably an armchair traveller’s delight – a patchwork quilt of shooting locations from northern Sydney’s beaches down to the enchanting landscapes of the Illawarra region. And, adding to the canon of maverick detectives in the Paradise universe is the socially incompetent – but brilliantly minded – DI Mackenzie Clarke. After serving in the Metropolitan Police, DI Clarke leaves London and returns to her hometown of Dolphin Cove – and comes face to face with some dark aspects of her past (an old flame, her old job, small-town gossip). For some, taking on the first female lead in a beloved franchise might have been an intimidating prospect, but if anyone is up for the job, it’s Anna Samson – who shines as brightly as the Aussie sun as Mackenzie. “Death in Paradise is one of the highest-grossing shows in Australia,” says the 34-year-old excitedly. “I was a fan of it because it harks back – without ever being fusty – to a more innocent time of television where there was the intention to entertain and give escape, rather than traumatise. I think the world can be quite heavy and dark and hard right now. Having a show that is softer, warmer, charming and kind in its bones was really appealing to me. Even though Mackenzie can be an acerbic, hard character, she lives within a soft television world.” Landing the role of DI Clarke was no small feat. The audition process was long and extensive, with multiple rounds of callbacks. “At the end of each episode, there is a denouement, where the detective gets all the suspects in one room and makes a bit of a theatre show, describing the plot and then, revealing the killer,” she explains. “It’s a lot of dialogue – four, five, six pages of monologue. There were two in my audition process! It was a huge number of lines to learn, inhabit and perform. But, they were really keen on finding the right woman for the gig. So, it was a real joy and privilege when I got the call. You’re not supposed to tell anyone – but I called my mum straightaway! And then, the fear kicked in…” Born in Britain, Samson initially lived in Haywards Heath in West Sussex but in her early childhood she and her mother, who was a nurse, relocated to Nigeria, where her father – a civil engineer, was building a dam. She spent her early years between Nigeria and London, where her grandparents lived. “My nana and grandad used to take me to the West End. That’s where my love of performance started – at a very young age in England. I saw a production of Oliver! at the London Palladium with Ron Moody when I was three. I haven’t quite been the same since. It gave me a love of theatre. I wanted to be part of it. And that’s where my career started.” Were her parents supportive of her career choice? “They’re both retired now. They live in the Blue Mountains in Australia. They’re still madly in love after 40-odd years. They still get excited when the other comes home. My parents are the kindest, most supportive, most adventurous, excellent human beings.” Samson moved to Australia in her early teens when her dad set up a company there – and it was there that she began to pursue a career in acting, first enrolling at a performing arts high school and then going on to study at a prestigious drama school in Melbourne. “We travelled a lot when I was young. I still travel a lot – it’s a big part of my life. I love adventure. Seeing and living in different parts of the world has made me a better person. I have a lovely home in Sydney but London is my second home. I’m here usually twice a year. I don’t think I’ll ever put roots down somewhere and not leave. Being a theatre actor very much feels like you’ve run away with the circus.” Samson has carved herself a successful on-stage career – and some viewers might also recognise her from her stint in Home and Away as Mia Anderson. “Being English – I’ve always harboured a little, secret desire to play a detective on the BBC. I love the genre – from literature like Agatha Christie to television police procedurals. I understand its appeal and how it works. When the audition for Return to Paradise came along, I definitely thought I had something to offer.” Playing the first female detective in the “Paraverse” must have come with its own pressures though? “There’s a pressure and a joy. I’m taking up the mantle from very beloved male British actors. I’m different to that – I can’t emulate what they did, I can’t copy or mimic them. I bring me to the show. Thinking about being the first female detective and the size and success of the franchise between ‘action’ and ‘cut’ is not helpful. You have to put it to the side and play the scene. “I actually think that being a female detective doesn’t change the DNA of the show. Not at all. It’s a significant cultural move; setting it in Australia changes it more than having a female lead. I have a great amount of pride – and I’m as pleased as punch to be playing Mackenzie.” DI Clarke might solve puzzles well and excel as a mathematician – but that doesn’t quite equate to empathy and understanding human emotions. And often, her inability to read social cues means she can unintentionally offend. But, for all her flaws, she is a female character who has confidence in her abilities and in the world. “She’s genuinely not concerned with people liking her,” says Samson. “She doesn’t think that she needs people or community – but we all do. However, we don’t all need to be liked and loved by everyone. I’ve learned that through playing her. Because, unlike me, Mackenzie is not a people pleaser. She’s the complete opposite. I think a lot of us, especially women, struggle with trying to be palatable. To put that side of myself down, for the time I got to play her, was like a weight off my shoulders.” DI Clarke’s brain is always whirring – she’s constantly trying to solve crimes and work out which are the missing pieces of the puzzle. In some ways, perhaps a detective’s life isn’t dissimilar to that of an actor’s and I wonder whether either ever have a work-life balance? “Life is bigger than just your career. Having things that ground you, things that give you joy – they end up making your work better. I’m certainly not playing a character that has any work-life balance. But, I love my life outside of acting – my family, my friends, travel, writing. I’m currently doing a master’s in literature at Sydney University. I’m curious and I love learning. When I was shooting this show, I had zero work-life balance – but it’s only for three months and I wanted to dedicate myself to it. And then, I get the time to do something else.”
‘I’m from Grimsby — it’s beautiful, but not a patch on the Australian coast’
Lloyd Griffith plays fellow officer Colin Cartwright
Add Return to Paradise to your watchlist Were you a fan of Death in Paradise before you landed the role of Colin? I started watching it when I lived with my mum during the pandemic. She had already seen Ben Miller and Kris Marshall’s series and I joined in halfway through Ardal O’Hanlon’s. Then we got to Ralf Little’s – I’d grown up watching him in The Royle Family – and I thought it was great! Will fans like this Australian spin-off? I think so! It’s got the same ingredients as Death in Paradise – it’s a whodunnit and we figure out the crime by the end of each episode. British viewers have this love affair with Australian TV. It’s location porn… you can fantasise about the Aussie life! Did the Antipodean location have anything to do with you taking the job? I’d never been Down Under! When the script came through, I was asked, “How would you feel about moving to Australia?” I said, “Absolutely!” Peter Mattessi, the writer and showrunner, said I was really realistic in my audition for Colin – playing this British guy who is starry-eyed about moving to Australia. Obviously, I was acting but at the same time, it wasn’t hard. The locations we shoot at… Oh my goodness! I’m from Grimsby! Cleethorpes beach is beautiful but it’s not really a patch on the northern beaches and Illawarra coast in Australia. Your career has been incredibly wide-ranging — you’ve worked as a comedian, you’ve dabbled in sports commentary, done a bit of singing… I think I might be the only person to have hosted both Songs of Praise and Soccer AM! I like a varied career. I trained as a classical singer and then I got into comedy. During a gig, a casting director saw me and asked me to audition for an acting job. So, that’s how it all came about… I’m like a modern-day Harry Secombe. You’ve had acting credits on some of the biggest shows of the last few years. Will you be concentrating on acting in the future? I had small parts in Ted Lasso and It’s a Sin – but they were huge jobs to be a part of. I made friends with Russell T Davies and he kept me in mind for another project. A year or so ago, I was in Nolly with Helena Bonham Carter, which was well received and an amazing experience. All these jobs help you get other work. I did actually say to my agent about five years ago, “I’d love to play a cop.” It was mainly so I could drive a police car really fast. No spoilers – but I do get an undercover car in Return to Paradise…
'Everyone I know was auditioning for this — I was gobsmacked when I got the part’
Tai Hara plays former fiancé Dr Glenn Strong
Add Return to Paradise to your watchlist You play Dr Glenn Strong, resident forensic pathologist and former love interest of DI Mackenzie Clarke. How familiar were you with the Death in Paradise universe? I wouldn’t say I was a mega fan – but I had seen the show before. It’s got a huge following over here – Australians love it. It’s definitely a guilty pleasure for people of all ages. I was so excited to find out that we were doing our own spin-off and adding our own flavour to it. Everyone I know was auditioning for it. When I saw the character of Glenn, I thought, “I’ve got to play this guy!” I was gobsmacked when I got the part. Before getting down to work, your character spends his mornings surfing — do you live like Glenn? It’s been a dream job – I get to enjoy all the best elements of what this country has to offer. I play a guy that lives by the beach, surfs, gets to have beers with his mates and solves crimes. It’s pretty sweet. It feels like Australian fare is a staple on our screens at the moment — Colin from Accounts has most recently captivated UK audiences. What was that like to be a part of? It was amazing! Pat and Harry [co-creators Patrick Brammall and Harriet Dyer] are phenomenal. I cannot speak highly enough of them. Everything you see them do as their characters on screen, is what they’re like in real life. They have that same banter – they’re fun and cheeky. It’s real and relatable and culturally it lands really well. There have also been a few darker dramas — The Newsreader, The Tourist, The Twelve. Has the Australian TV industry upped its game? I feel like we’ve always had a strong, thriving industry. I wouldn’t say it’s a chip on the shoulder – but maybe a little sibling complex. We’ve always been here and we do produce amazing artists and crew. So many Aussies have gone and made their mark in the UK and in the States. The generation before us really pushed us onto the world stage. I also think with streaming, it’s become a more universal world. Australia is also famed for its soaps. You starred in Home and Away as Andy Barrett for three years — was it hard to leave behind such a big show and popular character? It didn’t feel like a career risk – it felt like the perfect time. I’d been on the show for three years and it was one of the most fulfilling jobs. It’s been around for longer than I’ve been alive! It’s one of those shows that every person in this country knows. That, along with Neighbours, they’re so iconic and the characters are so well-known. To be able to step into a show that I grew up watching as a kid, as my first gig, I’ll always be grateful. They serve such a valuable place in the industry – not just in terms of acting, but also for crew. It’s such a nourishing environment and you get so much time and experience in front of the camera.
Joe Locke on Heartstopper season 3, filming sex scenes and famous fans
Locke is back as Charlie in the third season of the hugely popular Netflix teen series.
This interview was originally published in Radio Times magazine. From school plays to an open casting call – and now fame... Joe Locke speaks about playing Charlie in Heartstopper. When did you realise you wanted to become an actor? When I was really young. For people from the Isle of Man, it’s harder to meet the right people. I was always doing school plays, but I just thought it was fun. You applied for an open casting call and landed the lead role in Heartstopper. How did it feel? It felt very surreal. It’s still very crazy to think what my life would have been like if it hadn’t happened… What do you think it would have looked like? I’d probably be at university with the rest of my friends and living a very normal life. What drew you to the role of Charlie? Heartstopper is such a positive portrayal of teenagers and queerness. There was a period where queer characters were just there for comic relief or for a sad story. It’s nice to have a happy story about queer people. Were there experiences from your teenage years that you channelled into the part? I see a lot of myself in Charlie — especially in the first couple of series. The show made you famous overnight — how have you found handling that? Even saying the word famous, makes me [he shudders]. It makes me sound like a… I won’t say that word! You and Kit Connor have a great friendship. Did that help when it came to filming intimate scenes? It’s a vulnerable thing to do a sex scene in a room of 50 random people. To have the person you’re doing it with be someone that you trust makes it much easier. We had a great intimacy coordinator who put us at ease. We choreographed it like a dance, but with sex positions. We went in knowing what we were doing, so felt comfortable. Who have you been most excited about discovering was a Heartstopper fan? When Kit [Connor] told me that Elton John had watched the show, that was pretty cool! Also, I got to work with Olivia Colman in the first series, which was incredible. And Johnny [Jonathan Bailey] this series — he is a wonderful, kind man and he’s been supportive of the show since the start. Your next role is in a Marvel Studios spin-off. What doors have opened since playing Charlie? Without Heartstopper, I wouldn’t have a career. I will be grateful for that for the rest of my life. Heartstopper season 3 will stream on Netflix from 3rd October 2024, and seasons 1-2 are available to stream now. Sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Heartstopper's Alice Oseman opens up on tackling sex and mental health in season 3
The hit teen romance series is back for its third run on Netflix.
This interview was originally published in Radio Times magazine. When the greats of British acting – like Olivia Colman, Stephen Fry and Jonathan Bailey – sign on to a teenage romance series, you know there must be more to it than meets the eye. But, even with starry names attached, I think it unlikely Netflix realised the phenomenon that Heartstopper would become. It follows Charlie, a dorkish teenager, who falls in love with the school’s rugby-playing heart-throb Nick. Now, in its third season, Nick and Charlie are an established couple navigating the joys and pitfalls of youth – when to say, "I love you," when to have sex, where to go to university. But it also ventures into darker waters – mental health problems and eating disorders. The show has accrued a loyal and dedicated fan-following. When the initial casting announcement was made, Kit Connor (who plays Nick) and Joe Locke (Charlie) racked up thousands of followers on social media. That number is now in the millions. The brains behind it all is Alice Oseman, the writer and creator of the webcomic and graphic novel on which the series is based. "Nick and Charlie were supporting characters in my first book, Solitaire," the 29-year-old author explains. "When we meet them, they are already in a loving relationship. We don’t know how they got together or what their back story is. I wanted to tell that story because I loved them as characters. "I tried to plan it as a prose novel, like Solitaire, but I realised very quickly it didn’t work. It was the perfect time for me to try and make a comic. I’ve always loved drawing. I started making Heartstopper as a webcomic and uploading a few pages every week for people to read for free. And it grew from there." The webcomic amassed more than 124 million views – and so Oseman, whose first novel was published at 18, set about getting Nick and Charlie’s story in print. "It wasn’t as easy as you might think, given that I had already published books. My literary agent spoke to publishers and the answer was that there wasn’t a market for this in the UK. "I thought, ‘Fair enough, I’ll self-publish.’ It’s something that a lot of webcomic artists do – they run crowdfunding campaigns to get their books printed." Within two hours, Oseman had reached the funding goal. Two thousand copies of volume one were printed and stacked up in the Oseman family home for two months. Eventually, Hachette Children’s Group started publishing the graphic novels – more than eight million copies, in 37 languages, have now been sold. Oseman grew up in Kent in the '90s conjuring up stories, reading cartoons and the Artemis Fowl series. Young adult fiction dominated Oseman’s teenage years – The Hunger Games, Twilight and John Green novels – and TV series like Skins and Glee. In all that literary and screen culture – did Oseman feel represented? “Even at that point when I had no idea who I was, I had this feeling that I couldn’t find a story that was about me. As an asexual person, I’d never even heard the word before. I didn’t even know what it was. I started writing as a teenager because I couldn’t find anything that really represented my experience. There was certainly never anything on TV or in films to tell me about that experience." Heartstopper is renowned for its representation of LGBTQ+ characters. In Charlie and Nick’s friendship group, there is Elle (a young trans woman), Darcy and Tara (a lesbian couple) and Isaac (who identifies as asexual and aromantic). The show has been heralded for helping young people discover their own sexualities. But the show’s educational value extends far beyond sexuality – and in this season, it opens up important questions surrounding mental health and eating disorders. "This was never really something I set out to do with Heartstopper. It’s evolved very naturally – because it always had an optimistic, hopeful tone. It says to people – dark things are going to happen in your life, but it’s going to be OK. "Series three is focused on Charlie’s mental health. We see him at his lowest – but we also see the journey of him healing. That is educational and helpful because it shows people that you can get yourself out of a really dark place." In the new season, sex is also introduced into the Heartstopper universe. "There is already so much chatter about the fact that Heartstopper has sex in it now! Everyone is so scandalised by it. But I think it’s really helpful for young people, first of all, to see a couple who don’t immediately rush into having sex. I think teenagers today have so much pressure on them to have sex as early as possible. It feels like everyone’s doing it. The internet is saying you should be doing it. Lots of teen media says you should, too! “In Heartstopper, it takes longer for Nick and Charlie. That’s a really nice alternative vision for young people. The storyline about sex in season three is very focused on the emotional side – the characters are asking questions like, ‘Am I ready to have sex? How do I know if my partner is also ready? What if it’s really awkward and embarrassing because I don’t know what I’m doing?’ Hopefully that will be relatable for a lot of young people." Another unique aspect of Heartstopper is that Oseman has written every episode of the series. Usually, when a book is optioned for TV, a broadcaster or production company will buy the rights – a writer might be invited to be part of a writers’ room, but rarely will they be given sole writing responsibilities. "Patrick Walters, one of the other executive producers on the show, heard about Heartstopper and got in touch with my film agent and said, ‘I’d really like to option this story.’ I met up with him and he was so passionate and I loved his ideas. I wanted to work with him – but my only request was that I wanted to be involved. I knew I wouldn’t be content to say, ‘Here’s my story. Do what you want with it.’ "He said, 'Why don’t you write the first three episodes?' I’d never written a screenplay before. I thought if it wasn’t any good, it was fine, they could find an experienced screenwriter to do it. But fortunately, they liked it! So, I ended up writing the whole show. I’m so glad that I’m able to do that, because it allows me to retain so much control over what the show is – and that it stays true to the comic." That similarity – between what is on the page and what is on the screen – is a huge contributor to the show’s success. As is the casting: Connor is mesmerising as the kind-hearted Nick and Locke brings the vulnerable Charlie to life. There has, however, been some debate recently about whether LGBTQ+ characters should only be played by LGBTQ+ actors. And, while Locke publicly came out aged 15, after the success of season 1, there was some online vitriol aimed at Connor, which led to him feeling forced into coming out as bisexual. How did Oseman grapple with conversations surrounding casting and sexuality? "First of all, it’s actually illegal to ask people to disclose their sexuality when you’re hiring. Secondly, our cast were mostly teenagers. You cannot expect that teenagers will even know what their sexuality is. We did say in our casting process that we welcomed performers from the LGBTQ+ community. "If actors felt a personal connection to the character, that was lovely. But it was not a requirement, and we would never ask anyone to talk about their personal life when applying for a job." Season 3 will undoubtedly reach the dizzying heights of its predecessors. How has Heartstopper changed Oseman’s life? “I never expected any of this to happen. Webcomics are so niche and indie – this is exceptionally rare. I think sometimes people expect me to be a bit tired of Heartstopper – and to find it draining – but I love this story so much and I’m so grateful for it all." Heartstopper season 3 will stream on Netflix from 3rd October 2024, and seasons 1-2 are available to stream now. Sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Kit Connor on "sweet and tender" sex scenes in Heartstopper season 3
Kit Connor began acting as a child – now he’s holding his own on set, if not the rugby pitch…
This interview was originally published in Radio Times magazine. When did you know you wanted to be an actor? Your first on-screen job was at the age of eight! I had quite a peculiar but natural progression into the industry. I went to a Saturday acting club and they had an agency, so I started doing commercials. You went from commercials to playing the young Elton John in the Hollywood biopic Rocketman and voicing Pantalaimon in His Dark Materials… The thing is, every step you take in your career feels like the biggest you’re ever going to take. I remember when I did my first TV job that wasn’t a commercial — it was an episode of Casualty. I went to a BBC office in Cardiff and they gave me a tag with my name on it, which I kept for years because it felt like a huge thing! Getting Rocketman was ridiculous. I’d worked with the director Dexter Fletcher on a B&Q commercial and apparently he thought that the kid from the B&Q ad might be good for the role… My whole career has been a whirlwind. Have you ever had a Plan B? It’s probably a bit of a risky mindset — but I do think if you rely too heavily on having a back-up plan, how do you expect Plan A to succeed? My parents have always been incredibly supportive. They never pushed anything onto me; they’ve just enjoyed watching me be able to do what I love. I do think that they wanted me to get my A-levels, though… How has landing Heartstopper changed your life? It’s been a pretty extraordinary journey. It never felt like a surefire way to success. I don’t think many people expected it to do well. I was incredibly excited to get the role and it was my first chance to lead. As a child actor, you can be sheltered. While you’re shooting a movie, people your age are going to parties! I wouldn’t have changed it, but it does hold you back in some respects. I feel like my life started when I did Heartstopper, which is beautiful. Being on the top of the call sheet comes with responsibility. Do you enjoy that? It’s really nice to be able to go into a job and feel that you can hold your own and you deserve your place there. I don’t always know my place in social spaces, but on set I know what I’m supposed to be doing. Are you not as outgoing as Nick? Filming massive party scenes with lots of supporting actors in the room, feeling like all eyes are on you, is dreadful! They also brought in a real rugby team and no one was passing me the ball — because, why would they! They had to tell them to pass to Kit and then in the next take, they started screaming, "Get it to Kit! Get it to Kit!" Then they had to cut again and say, "That’s great. But next time, call him Nick." That was pretty stressful! There’s been controversy that the new series has sex scenes. How do you feel about them? We still approach sex in a very Heartstopper way. It’s light-hearted and optimistic. The focus is on the difficulties of knowing when you’re ready and what it is to be a young queer person. There isn’t as much representation in the industry of queer sex and often it’s represented as being much more advanced and very highly sexualised. This is really sweet and tender. Heartstopper season 3 will stream on Netflix from 3rd October 2024, and seasons 1-2 are available to stream now. Sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Add Heartstopper to your watchlist View oEmbed on the source website When did you know you wanted to be an actor? Your first on-screen job was at the age of eight! I had quite a peculiar but natural progression into the industry. I went to a Saturday acting club and they had an agency, so I started doing commercials. You went from commercials to playing the young Elton John in the Hollywood biopic Rocketman and voicing Pantalaimon in His Dark Materials… The thing is, every step you take in your career feels like the biggest you’re ever going to take. I remember when I did my first TV job that wasn’t a commercial — it was an episode of Casualty. I went to a BBC office in Cardiff and they gave me a tag with my name on it, which I kept for years because it felt like a huge thing! Getting Rocketman was ridiculous. I’d worked with the director Dexter Fletcher on a B&Q commercial and apparently he thought that the kid from the B&Q ad might be good for the role… My whole career has been a whirlwind. Have you ever had a Plan B? It’s probably a bit of a risky mindset — but I do think if you rely too heavily on having a back-up plan, how do you expect Plan A to succeed? My parents have always been incredibly supportive. They never pushed anything onto me; they’ve just enjoyed watching me be able to do what I love. I do think that they wanted me to get my A-levels, though… View oEmbed on the source website How has landing Heartstopper changed your life? It’s been a pretty extraordinary journey. It never felt like a surefire way to success. I don’t think many people expected it to do well. I was incredibly excited to get the role and it was my first chance to lead. As a child actor, you can be sheltered. While you’re shooting a movie, people your age are going to parties! I wouldn’t have changed it, but it does hold you back in some respects. I feel like my life started when I did Heartstopper, which is beautiful. Being on the top of the call sheet comes with responsibility. Do you enjoy that? It’s really nice to be able to go into a job and feel that you can hold your own and you deserve your place there. I don’t always know my place in social spaces, but on set I know what I’m supposed to be doing. Are you not as outgoing as Nick? Filming massive party scenes with lots of supporting actors in the room, feeling like all eyes are on you, is dreadful! They also brought in a real rugby team and no one was passing me the ball — because, why would they! They had to tell them to pass to Kit and then in the next take, they started screaming, “Get it to Kit! Get it to Kit!” Then they had to cut again and say, “That’s great. But next time, call him Nick.” That was pretty stressful! There’s been controversy that the new series has sex scenes. How do you feel about them? We still approach sex in a very Heartstopper way. It’s light-hearted and optimistic. The focus is on the difficulties of knowing when you’re ready and what it is to be a young queer person. There isn’t as much representation in the industry of queer sex and often it’s represented as being much more advanced and very highly sexualised. This is really sweet and tender.
From school plays to an open casting call – and now fame... Joe Locke on playing Charlie in Heartstopper
Add Heartstopper to your watchlist View oEmbed on the source website When did you realise you wanted to become an actor? When I was really young. For people from the Isle of Man, it’s harder to meet the right people. I was always doing school plays, but I just thought it was fun. You applied for an open casting call and landed the lead role in Heartstopper. How did it feel? It felt very surreal. It’s still very crazy to think what my life would have been like if it hadn’t happened… What do you think it would have looked like? I’d probably be at university with the rest of my friends and living a very normal life. What drew you to the role of Charlie? Heartstopper is such a positive portrayal of teenagers and queerness. There was a period where queer characters were just there for comic relief or for a sad story. It’s nice to have a happy story about queer people. View oEmbed on the source website Were there experiences from your teenage years that you channelled into the part? I see a lot of myself in Charlie — especially in the first couple of series. The show made you famous overnight — how have you found handling that? Even saying the word famous, makes me [he shudders]. It makes me sound like a… I won’t say that word! You and Kit Connor have a great friendship. Did that help when it came to filming intimate scenes? It’s a vulnerable thing to do a sex scene in a room of 50 random people. To have the person you’re doing it with be someone that you trust makes it much easier. We had a great intimacy coordinator who put us at ease. We choreographed it like a dance, but with sex positions. We went in knowing what we were doing, so felt comfortable. Who have you been most excited about discovering was a Heartstopper fan? When Kit [Connor] told me that Elton John had watched the show, that was pretty cool! Also, I got to work with Olivia Colman in the first series, which was incredible. And Johnny [Jonathan Bailey] this series — he is a wonderful, kind man and he’s been supportive of the show since the start. Your next role is in a Marvel Studios spin-off. What doors have opened since playing Charlie? Without Heartstopper, I wouldn’t have a career. I will be grateful for that for the rest of my life.
Having fulfilled all his ambitions, James McAvoy doesn’t care if he’s booed…
Speak No Evil is in cinemas now. Add it to your watchlist. What’s the view from your sofa? I’ve got a coffee-table-slash-footstool in front of me and a telly on the wall. There’s a desk and shelves, which are covered in family photographs. What have you enjoyed watching on TV recently? I actually don’t watch much at all because I’ve got kids and there’s a lot of Hey Duggee and Mr Tumble. The last thing I watched was Baby Reindeer. I’d seen Richard Gadd perform the show on stage, so seeing him bring it to the screen was really interesting. He’s a really good writer and the way he exposes his own experience is incredible. View oEmbed on the source website You grew up in Glasgow — when did you realise you wanted to be an actor? Did it feel like a viable career choice? No – it wasn’t something that I considered until I got my first acting job. When I was 16 I got a part in a film out of nowhere; a really nice actor, director and philanthropist called David Hayman had come to my school to talk about Macbeth. I said to him at the end, “Is there any chance, next time you’re making a movie, that I can come and make tea and coffee for the week?” Six months later, he was making a film about child prostitution in Glasgow. And did he remember to call your school? Yes! He phoned and asked if I wanted to meet him. I thought I was there to make coffee, but he said, “Can you read the part of Kevin?” I did and then he said, “Can you read it again and feel why he’s upset? Can you cry?” I did, he gave me the part and that was me. Do you have any inhibitions when it comes to acting? I’m very much a product of my grandmother. She rubbed off on me in one particular way: I’ve never really cared what people think about me. I want to be a good person for my nearest and dearest, but other than that, I don’t care. It’s helped me as an actor because I’m pretty good with failure and criticism. I’d rather succeed and I’d rather people like my work, applaud and give me a standing ovation than be booed – but, if they boo… I’ll see them next time. You lived with your grandparents as a teenager — did they approve of your career choice? Both of them were worried because they were very aware that most actors are out of work at any one time. So they made it clear that I’d better have a fallback. They never taught me that if I put my mind to anything, I could achieve it; they always thought it’ll probably not go your way, but you’ve got a right to try. It’s a level of pragmatism that I appreciate. It didn’t give me an inflated idea of what was going to happen. You’ve had a fantastic, wide-ranging career despite the pragmatism… My goal was to pay my bills and buy a home for myself one day. I’ve been lucky to surpass my ambitions. Now, I’m ambitionless. People say there must be a role I want to play or an award I want to win – but I just enjoy doing what I’m doing and I try to just be capable of smiling most days. Your new film, Speak No Evil, is a psychological thriller — do you enjoy horror? Scary movies are like an ice bath – they reset your nervous system. Your stress levels are manageable because your body thinks it has nearly died. You’ve previously said that you aren’t stereotypically Hollywood-attractive. Has that worked in your favour in terms of the roles you’re offered? I don’t think I’m a bad looking guy – but I’m not getting hired for my looks. I’m getting hired for other qualities and I’ll take that. Today was the first time I’ve been called a character actor – rather than a leading man, or a romantic lead. I’m really happy with that.
The Funny Woman star shot to fame as a Bond girl but can now choose her roles and speak her mind
Add Funny Woman to your watchlist Gemma Arterton shot to fame as a Bond Girl in Quantum of Solace, along with star-making performances in Tess of the D’Urbervilles, Tamara Drewe and St Trinian’s. She has since appeared on TV, film and stage, and now returns in the Sky drama series Funny Woman as its lead actor and executive producer. Set in the 60s, it follows Blackpool beauty queen Barbara Parker, who moves to London, adopts the stage name Sophie Straw and gets her own comedy show. Funny Woman is about a woman who disrupts a male-dominated world. Why did it appeal to you? In the UK, we didn’t have a female-led sitcom [written by a woman] until the 70s – and that was The Liver Birds [created by Carla Lane and Myra Taylor]. Further down the road, we had Victoria Wood and French and Saunders – but that was the 80s. It wasn’t happening for women in comedy in the 60s! But it’s a rich time to look at, because there was so much societal change happening and a lot to fight against. Do people connect with the show because it addresses issues that are still relevant today? These days, there are still struggles. There are lots of funny women making funny TV shows, but there is still a distinct lack of funny female sitcoms. There are loads of men having their time. There’s still a gap in the comedy world. View oEmbed on the source website Barbara’s father instils in her an unwavering sense of self-belief. Did your own parents support your decision to pursue acting? I wanted to act; I didn’t expect to be successful. I wanted to do theatre and earn enough to pay my rent – I would have been happy with that. My mum and dad said, “Whatever you want to do, we support you and we’re happy for you.” But we didn’t know anyone in the industry, so they probably thought it wouldn’t work out. In the show, Barbara leaves Blackpool to pursue her dreams in London. Did you make a similar journey from Gravesend? I remember the excitement of moving to London! From the age of 15 to 23, I was a mod. I wore 60s clothes and did my hair and makeup in a 60s style. My flat was in west Kensington and I used to get the bus to Portobello Road [to look at clothes]. I love exploring. I also loved drama school – I had no expectations, I just enjoyed it. Barbara has a certainty that she’s destined for something, I never had that. I was just along for the ride. Barbara is working-class, with a regional accent, and her co-star is a man of colour. How important is representation on screen? When I watch Funny Woman I don’t notice the diversity; it feels so intrinsic. I wonder if it’s because we’re used to seeing representation – diversity doesn’t stand out as much. Fifteen years ago, it would have been bold for the romantic lead to be non-white, or whatever. It was the first time Arsher Ali, who plays Dennis, had been offered a romantic lead. That baffles me; he is so obviously a romantic lead! In the second series, Barbara works with two new writers who want her to dress up as a slinky cat woman. Have you been offered one-dimensional roles? It was an interesting time for me to come up in the world, before #MeToo. When I started acting, there was a lot of nudity – you were just expected to do it. When I was younger I played sexy characters, the girlfriend. As I’ve got older, that’s changed because I’m more successful and can choose the parts I want to play. You have spoken out about having to do things that have made you feel uncomfortable… I think because I’ve been vocal about these things in the past, people are aware that I don’t want to do them anymore. It didn’t fulfil me. It didn’t feel like acting, it wasn’t fun. It didn’t feel like I was flexing my muscles in the correct way. So, they don’t ask me. There was a huge sea-change in 2017–18, when the Harvey Weinstein stuff happened. It’s different now. Roles for women are generally better. It’s not always easy to be vocal, especially early in your career. Were you ever worried about being perceived as “difficult”? I remember being on a set once and the director said, “You’re going to shag on the bed”. And I said, “No, this scene was written for us to be off screen, so you just hear the noises. I’d never have accepted the role if it was going to be filmed.” He put pressure on us on the day. The other actor, God bless him, was mortified. There were very high-profile people there. I said, “You can’t do that, I’m flat out not doing it. I don’t care if you think I’m difficult.” But I only felt like I could say that because I was older. And if you had been younger? It would have been really hard. You might get the sack, or get a terrible reputation. It was before we had intimacy coordinators, who are the go-between now – it’s a totally different landscape. Anything you’re not comfortable with is not going to happen. I’ve heard other actors that are like, “I loved it when there was no intimacy coordinator”, but I definitely think it’s better. In series two, Barbara meets a Hollywood agent. Was that your big dream too? It’s weird – the industry is so much more global now. Nothing shoots in Hollywood any more because it’s too expensive, but it’s where a lot of directors live. I’d always like to be in that world, but I don’t have to be there as much. I used to go out once a year for a couple of weeks to meet people – now you can just have a Zoom. There are all these amazing, ancient studios that are empty because of the cost – it’s so sad that, in a way, that golden age is over.
Gemma Arterton talks pre-MeToo industry and standing up for herself in sex scenes
The actress talks to Radio Times about returning to Sky comedy Funny Woman, avoiding one-dimensional roles and more.
This interview was originally published in Radio Times magazine. Gemma Arterton shot to fame as a Bond Girl in Quantum of Solace, along with star-making performances in Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Tamara Drewe and St Trinian's. She has since appeared on TV, film and stage, and now returns in the Sky drama series Funny Woman as its lead actor and executive producer. Set in the '60s, it follows Blackpool beauty queen Barbara Parker, who moves to London, adopts the stage name Sophie Straw and gets her own comedy show. Funny Woman is about a woman who disrupts a male-dominated world. Why did it appeal to you? In the UK, we didn't have a female-led sitcom [written by a woman] until the '70s – and that was The Liver Birds [created by Carla Lane and Myra Taylor]. Further down the road, we had Victoria Wood and French and Saunders – but that was the '80s. It wasn't happening for women in comedy in the '60s! But it's a rich time to look at, because there was so much societal change happening and a lot to fight against. Do people connect with the show because it addresses issues that are still relevant today? These days, there are still struggles. There are lots of funny women making funny TV shows, but there is still a distinct lack of funny female sitcoms. There are loads of men having their time. There's still a gap in the comedy world. View oEmbed on the source website Barbara's father instils in her an unwavering sense of self-belief. Did your own parents support your decision to pursue acting? I wanted to act; I didn't expect to be successful. I wanted to do theatre and earn enough to pay my rent – I would have been happy with that. My mum and dad said, "Whatever you want to do, we support you and we're happy for you." But we didn't know anyone in the industry, so they probably thought it wouldn't work out. In the show, Barbara leaves Blackpool to pursue her dreams in London. Did you make a similar journey from Gravesend? I remember the excitement of moving to London! From the age of 15 to 23, I was a mod. I wore '60s clothes and did my hair and make-up in a '60s style. My flat was in west Kensington and I used to get the bus to Portobello Road [to look at clothes]. I love exploring. I also loved drama school – I had no expectations, I just enjoyed it. Barbara has a certainty that she's destined for something, I never had that. I was just along for the ride. Barbara is working-class, with a regional accent, and her co-star is a man of colour. How important is representation on screen? When I watch Funny Woman I don't notice the diversity; it feels so intrinsic. I wonder if it's because we're used to seeing representation – diversity doesn't stand out as much. Fifteen years ago, it would have been bold for the romantic lead to be non-white, or whatever. It was the first time Arsher Ali, who plays Dennis, had been offered a romantic lead. That baffles me; he is so obviously a romantic lead! In the second series, Barbara works with two new writers who want her to dress up as a slinky cat woman. Have you been offered one-dimensional roles? It was an interesting time for me to come up in the world, before #MeToo. When I started acting, there was a lot of nudity – you were just expected to do it. When I was younger I played sexy characters, the girlfriend. As I've got older, that's changed because I'm more successful and can choose the parts I want to play. You have spoken out about having to do things that have made you feel uncomfortable… I think because I've been vocal about these things in the past, people are aware that I don't want to do them anymore. It didn't fulfil me. It didn't feel like acting, it wasn't fun. It didn't feel like I was flexing my muscles in the correct way. So, they don't ask me. There was a huge sea-change in 2017–18, when the Harvey Weinstein stuff happened. It's different now. Roles for women are generally better. It's not always easy to be vocal, especially early in your career. Were you ever worried about being perceived as "difficult"? I remember being on a set once and the director said, "You're going to shag on the bed". And I said, "No, this scene was written for us to be off screen, so you just hear the noises. I'd never have accepted the role if it was going to be filmed." He put pressure on us on the day. The other actor, God bless him, was mortified. There were very high-profile people there. I said, "You can't do that, I'm flat out not doing it. I don't care if you think I'm difficult." But I only felt like I could say that because I was older. And if you had been younger? It would have been really hard. You might get the sack, or get a terrible reputation. It was before we had intimacy coordinators, who are the go-between now – it's a totally different landscape. Anything you're not comfortable with is not going to happen. I've heard other actors that are like, "I loved it when there was no intimacy coordinator", but I definitely think it's better. In series 2, Barbara meets a Hollywood agent. Was that your big dream too? It's weird – the industry is so much more global now. Nothing shoots in Hollywood any more because it's too expensive, but it's where a lot of directors live. I'd always like to be in that world, but I don't have to be there as much. I used to go out once a year for a couple of weeks to meet people – now you can just have a Zoom. There are all these amazing, ancient studios that are empty because of the cost – it's so sad that, in a way, that golden age is over. The latest issue of Radio Times is out now – subscribe here. Funny Woman is available to watch on Sky Max and NOW – find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV. Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The real-life couple behind Colin from Accounts write, star and watch together
Add Colin from Accounts to your watchlist. What’s the view from your sofa? Harriet Dyer: We thought long and hard about that. It’s a good set-up. We are a two-couch family: the couches face each other with a nice coffee table in the middle. It’s a sitting room for when we have guests. But when they leave and it’s just us, we get to lie down on a sofa each, like the animals we are, and watch the telly. Patrick Brammall: Let’s face it, that’s 90 per cent of its use. What have you enjoyed watching recently? Harriet: The Olympics! You know, medals per capita, per population, means that Australia won! Patrick: We also like Below Deck. Harriet: We ate up Baby Reindeer… Patrick: And love Hey Duggee and Love, Diana… So is it actually your toddler who has control of the remote? Patrick: It happens! She likes old-school Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse cartoons – the ones that look creepy! Do you two share the same taste in TV programmes? Harriet: I have learned to be OK with Paddy wanting to watch something that I don’t want to watch. I’ll just go to bed with my laptop or read a book. We have learned that we don’t have to… Patrick: …do all things together, at all times. Harriet: Yes, because we do so much together in parenting and writing the show and doing press and meetings. We’re a bit like conjoined twins. What’s it like co-writing and co-starring in Colin from Accounts? Harriet: It does get intense! Sometimes you realise that this is more time spent with someone than is the design. But it’s also lovely because we are each other’s favourite person and each other’s champion, and we have a very similar sense of humour. So, if it’s going to be anyone, thank God it’s him! Patrick: It really helps that we like each other or it would be a real bummer. What do you do if you don’t like the other person’s idea or you don’t think that it’s funny? Harriet: We have to be gentle with each other. It’s vulnerable showing your art! Patrick: And respectful. Having said that, I think because we’ve got experience doing it now, we’re a bit more robust! Harriet, you previously spoke out about how the success of Colin has made you feel more equal with Patrick. In what sense? Harriet: In season one, there were certain people on set who would just talk to Paddy and I’d be standing right there, which really gave me the s**ts. In season two, if that happened, I’d just walk away. Paddy had written a bunch of stuff before Colin – and Colin was the only thing I’d written. He’s also 13 years older than me – and a man. I grew up in a small town which is still a little traditional and I had to fight against a few of those metrics. In season two, I felt like I could take the same-sized seat at the table. Patrick: Also, whatever the conversation, it would have to go through Harriet anyway! View oEmbed on the source website Your canine Colin from Accounts co-star — whose name is Zach — has become quite a star himself. What was he like to work with? Patrick: He was always the most professional! Harriet: There was one time he was so good, he looked like a robot. He looked like he’d been computer-generated and added in later! Patrick: We had to get the trainer to walk behind the camera so he would move his eyes!
Colin from Accounts’ Harriet Dyer & Patrick Brammall: ‘The dog was always the most professional on set’
The duo behind Colin from Accounts discuss their viewing habits, life at home, and the challenges of co-writing and co-starring in their hit show.
When it comes to balancing work and home life, Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall seem to have found a rhythm that works—most of the time. The married actors, who co-created and co-star in the critically acclaimed series Colin from Accounts, have mastered the art of collaboration both on and off the screen. Whether they're lounging on their two sofas, indulging in a mix of toddler-friendly cartoons and gripping dramas, or fine-tuning the script of their show, Dyer and Brammall's partnership is defined by a blend of humor, respect, and mutual admiration. In this interview, the couple shares insights into their everyday life, from their favourite TV shows to how they navigate creative differences. They also reflect on the unique challenges and joys of working so closely together, particularly in an industry that often requires them to juggle multiple roles. Despite the occasional intensity, it's clear that Dyer and Brammall wouldn't have it any other way—after all, as they put it, they are each other's biggest fans. What’s the view from your sofa? Harriet Dyer: We thought long and hard about that. It's a good set-up. We are a two-couch family: the couches face each other with a nice coffee table in the middle. It’s a sitting room for when we have guests. But when they leave and it's just us, we get to lie down on a sofa each, like the animals we are, and watch the telly. Patrick Brammall: Let's face it, that’s 90 per cent of its use. What have you enjoyed watching recently? Harriet: The Olympics! You know, medals per capita, per population, means that Australia won! Patrick: We also like Below Deck. Harriet: We ate up Baby Reindeer… Patrick: And love Hey Duggee and Love, Diana… So is it actually your toddler who has control of the remote? Patrick: It happens! She likes old-school Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse cartoons – the ones that look creepy! Do you two share the same taste in TV programmes? Harriet: I have learned to be OK with Patty wanting to watch something that I don't want to watch. I’ll just go to bed with my laptop or read a book. We have learned that we don’t have to… Patrick: …do all things together, at all times. Harriet: Yes, because we do so much together in parenting and writing the show and doing press and meetings. We’re a bit like conjoined twins. What’s it like co-writing and co-starring in Colin from Accounts? Harriet: It does get intense! Sometimes you realise that this is more time spent with someone than is the design. But it's also lovely because we are each other's favourite person and each other's champion, and we have a very similar sense of humour. So, if it’s going to be anyone, thank God it’s him! Patrick: It really helps that we like each other or it would be a real bummer. What do you do if you don’t like the other person's idea or you don’t think that it's funny? Harriet: We have to be gentle with each other. It’s vulnerable showing your art! Patrick: And respectful. Having said that, I think because we've got experience doing it now, we're a bit more robust! Harriet, you previously spoke out about how the success of Colin has made you feel more equal with Patrick. In what sense? Harriet: In season one, there were certain people on set who would just talk to Patty and I’d be standing right there, which really gave me the s**ts. In season two, if that happened, I’d just walk away. Patty had written a bunch of stuff before Colin – and Colin was the only thing I'd written. He's also 13 years older than me – and a man. I grew up in a small town which is still a little traditional and I had to fight against a few of those metrics. In season two, I felt like I could take the same-sized seat at the table. Patrick: Also, whatever the conversation, it would have to go through Harriet anyway! Your canine Colin from Accounts co-star — whose name is Zach — has become quite a star himself. What was he like to work with? Patrick: He was always the most professional! Harriet: There was one time he was so good, he looked like a robot. He looked like he'd been computer-generated and added in later! Patrick: We had to get the trainer to walk behind the camera so he would move his eyes! Colin from Accounts returns to BBC Two and BBC iPlayer on Tuesday, 3rd September at 10pm. Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Last Leg host missed out on being a Paralympian, but found his tribe
Add The Last Leg, The Last Leg in Paris or Adam Hills: Foot Fault to your watchlist. What’s the view from your sofa? The main, comfiest sofa looks at the TV. To the right, there’s another sofa and, to the left, a lovely armchair. I’d be fooling myself if I said it’s arranged so that people sitting on different sides can converse… it’s so we can all see the TV. And which seat is yours? It depends on whether my wife and kids are here in London, because most of the year I’m on my own. I have my spot directly in front of the TV – I’ll have my feet up on the footrest and a cup of tea. I make myself very comfortable. When the family are over from Australia, I’m relegated to the sofa on the side! You were born and grew up in Sydney and first covered the Paralympics for Australian television in 2008 — what was that experience like? I’m a bit of a fraud because I never saw myself as disabled. I’m really only missing a tiny bit. I was born with one foot and my parents were told by the first specialist they met that I’d never walk. My mum was devastated. But I caught a bug as a baby and she took me to the GP – and he told her I could have a prosthetic made and I’d be absolutely fine. They were advised to treat me like any normal kid – if I fell over, I had to pick myself up, no fussing over me! I never even used the word disabled. At the 2008 Paralympics, I realised no one considered themselves disabled, they were all just cracking on with life. It was a real eye-opener. I saw my tribe – fit, young people playing sport. And then, in 2012, when ParalympicsGB came into the stadium and there were fireworks going off and Heroes was playing to 80,000 people – I thought, “I want to be part of that crew.” And then I realised, “Oh, I am! I’m disabled.” It’s amazing how much change the Paralympics brings about, isn’t it? Yes, it’s incredible! If a 42-year-old can watch the Games and feel proud to be disabled – imagine what that’s going to do to 12-year-olds! If you can see it, you can be it. Representation matters. You have an MBE for services to disability awareness, and your show on Channel 4, The Last Leg, has helped to tackle stigma. How important is that? You wouldn’t think a Paralympics highlights show hosted by three guys with four legs [between them] would end up raising awareness. After our first programme, I looked through tweets to see what people thought of it. Someone said, “Is it OK to ask what some of the disabilities are, as some of them look able-bodied.” Another person said, “Is it OK to say that I find some of the Paralympians quite fit?” So, we created a segment where people could ask us anything and we’d try to answer. You were very sporty as a child and you were close to becoming a Paralympian yourself? When I was 12, I was asked to try out for the Paralympics. I wanted to play tennis – but that wasn’t an option in 1982. Fast forward to the Beijing Paralympics in 2008. The wheelchair tennis coach said to me, “Do you want to play wheelchair tennis? I think your disability might be enough that we can classify you.” I went back home and had coffee with the head of the Australian team, who told me I’d have to start living life in a wheelchair so that it became second nature. If you’re on a tennis court and the ball goes short, your instinct is to move your legs – but I’d need to start moving my arms and rolling my wheels. But at that point I couldn’t spend my life in a wheelchair. Then last year, I found this global movement called Para-Standing Tennis [played without using a wheelchair] – and it made me realise that there are lots of people out there who have just been forgotten, so I made Foot Fault, a Sky Sports documentary to teach people about it.
Adam Hills on the Paralympics and how The Last Leg broke down stigma
The comedian sits down with Radio Times magazine to discuss the Paralympics.
This interview was originally published in Radio Times magazine. Adam Hills, best known as host of The Last Leg, speaks to Radio Times magazine about changing attitudes to the Paralympics over the years and how his Channel 4 series has helped towards that. What's the view from your sofa? "The main, comfiest sofa looks at the TV. To the right, there's another sofa and, to the left, a lovely armchair. I'd be fooling myself if I said it’s arranged so that people sitting on different sides can converse… it's so we can all see the TV." And which seat is yours? "It depends on whether my wife and kids are here in London, because most of the year I'm on my own. I have my spot directly in front of the TV – I'll have my feet up on the footrest and a cup of tea. I make myself very comfortable. When the family are over from Australia, I’m relegated to the sofa on the side!" Check out our Paralympics 2024 TV guide, including where to watch the action, exclusive interviews, and a day-by-day TV planner. You were born and grew up in Sydney and first covered the Paralympics for Australian television in 2008 — what was that experience like? "I'm a bit of a fraud because I never saw myself as disabled. I'm really only missing a tiny bit. I was born with one foot and my parents were told by the first specialist they met that I'd never walk. My mum was devastated. But I caught a bug as a baby and she took me to the GP – and he told her I could have a prosthetic made and I'd be absolutely fine. "They were advised to treat me like any normal kid – if I fell over, I had to pick myself up, no fussing over me! I never even used the word disabled. "At the 2008 Paralympics, I realised no one considered themselves disabled, they were all just cracking on with life. It was a real eye-opener. I saw my tribe – fit, young people playing sport. And then, in 2012, when ParalympicsGB came into the stadium and there were fireworks going off and Heroes was playing to 80,000 people – I thought, 'I want to be part of that crew.' And then I realised, 'Oh, I am! I'm disabled.'" It's amazing how much change the Paralympics brings about, isn't it? "Yes, it's incredible! If a 42-year-old can watch the Games and feel proud to be disabled – imagine what that's going to do to 12-year-olds! If you can see it, you can be it. Representation matters." You have an MBE for services to disability awareness, and your show on Channel 4, The Last Leg, has helped to tackle stigma. How important is that? "You wouldn't think a Paralympics highlights show hosted by three guys with four legs [between them] would end up raising awareness. "After our first programme, I looked through tweets to see what people thought of it. Someone said, 'Is it OK to ask what some of the disabilities are, as some of them look able-bodied?' Another person said, 'Is it OK to say that I find some of the Paralympians quite fit?' So, we created a segment where people could ask us anything and we'd try to answer." You were very sporty as a child and you were close to becoming a Paralympian yourself... "When I was 12, I was asked to try out for the Paralympics. I wanted to play tennis – but that wasn’t an option in 1982. Fast forward to the Beijing Paralympics in 2008. The wheelchair tennis coach said to me, 'Do you want to play wheelchair tennis? I think your disability might be enough that we can classify you.' "I went back home and had coffee with the head of the Australian team, who told me I'd have to start living life in a wheelchair so that it became second nature. If you’re on a tennis court and the ball goes short, your instinct is to move your legs – but I'd need to start moving my arms and rolling my wheels. But at that point I couldn’t spend my life in a wheelchair. "Then last year, I found this global movement called Para-Standing Tennis [played without using a wheelchair] – and it made me realise that there are lots of people out there who have just been forgotten, so I made Foot Fault, a Sky Sports documentary to teach people about it." Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
"There's this woman, Phoebe, who's amazing…"
Actor and writer Jessica Knappett discusses sitcoms, podcasting — and giving a certain Ms Waller-Bridge a leg-up…
Add Drifters to your watchlist. What’s the view from your sofa? We’re very lazy in our house – so the TV is actually in our bedroom. It sounds cheap, doesn’t it? It’s one of those fancy TVs that has a frame, and you can put pretend artwork on it. We’ve tried to make it classy – but the reality is we just watch loads of TV in bed! So what are you watching from under the duvet? I’m about to take a month off work – mainly to watch television. The problem with making TV is you don’t really get to watch much of it because it’s so time-consuming! I’ve been watching The Bear, which is fantastic and a masterpiece. And, because I have young children, we watch Bluey and The Lego Batman Movie on repeat. Genuinely, I think Bluey is the best sitcom on television. It has made me cry multiple times… Your big break came in 2011’s The Inbetweeners Movie. When did you first decide you wanted to go into acting and comedy? As soon as I became conscious that it was the best way to get my parents’ attention. My parents are comedy nerds, so I could recite Monty Python by the age of seven. They both had really stressful jobs in the NHS, and I became very aware of the power of comedy to change people’s moods. You were raised in Bradford and went to university in Manchester. Was it tricky to get a break in comedy outside of London? I really resisted moving to London for so long. I was so adamant that the definition of success should not be leaving where you came from. I clung to the North. And, actually, back then we were quite fortunate, because the BBC had a big comedy department up there. I worked behind the scenes, in front of the camera and wrote. Auditions were all in the capital, though. It was costing me so much money travelling, so I had to move to London eventually. You turned the experiences of your 20s into the E4 sitcom Drifters, which ran for four series from 2013. How do you look back at the show now? It was bittersweet. It was a comedy about failure, shame, promiscuity and binge-drinking – and that’s great sitcom territory! But I did feel very exposed and embarrassed. I live with that dissonance because I’m really proud of it. It wasn’t a smash hit at the time, but people who loved it really loved it. In some ways it was the forerunner for other female-led modern comedy dramas like Chewing Gum and Fleabag. Phoebe Waller-Bridge actually wrote for Drifters, didn’t she? Yes! She couldn’t get a break then! And it was the same for [Saltburn director and former Call the Midwife star] Emerald Fennell. These women were not being seen for their talents. I was saying, “There’s this woman, Phoebe, who’s amazing!” The arm twisting that had to be done… Apart from Sharon Horgan and Julia Davis there hadn’t been any sitcoms written by and starring women. I think Drifters helped to define a new era where broadcasters were willing to take risks with women. We were right at the crest of that wave. Your new podcast, Perfect Day, sees you ask guests like Romesh Ranganathan or Jessica Gunning about how they would spend their ideal 24 hours. It’s a great listen… Thank you! I’m very nosy and I wanted to know about people’s everyday lives. I realised if I asked people about their fantasy day, they’d then also tell me a bit about their normal routine. What has really surprised me is how ordinary people’s perfect days are. I’ve said they can go to the Moon, or whatever they want – yet a lot of people just want to potter around. When it comes down to it, people just want to do quite mundane but deeply enjoyable things. New episodes of Perfect Day with Jessica Knappett drop every Thursday on Apple, Spotify and all podcast providers.
Matt Damon and Casey Affleck on navigating fame and their new film The Instigators
The stars spoke to The Radio Times Podcast about their childhood friendship and making a movie which is "fun and fast", while also having something to say.
This interview was originally published in Radio Times magazine. Oscar-winning Hollywood actors and real-life friends Matt Damon and Casey Affleck have teamed up for Apple TV+’s action-packed heist drama The Instigators. They play ex-marine Rory (Damon) and thief Cobby (Affleck) — two strangers thrown together to rob a corrupt politician. Damon and Affleck spoke with The Radio Times Podcast about the film, their friendship and fame - read on for the full discussion, or listen below. View oEmbed on the source website In The Instigators, your characters make an unlikely pairing — but you've known each other almost your whole lives… Damon: "We met as little kids – Casey’s a little younger than me. We lived in the same neighbourhood and played basketball at the same park. And we used to ride the school bus together…" Casey, is that how you remember it? Affleck: "My earliest memory of Matt is on that school bus. I was in second grade and he was in seventh grade, but our girlfriends were sisters. On the bus, the cooler, older kids sat at the back and the younger ones by the driver. My girlfriend sat at the back with her sister, so I did, too – and there was Matt." Did you both know that you wanted to pursue acting? Damon: "I was 13 and I knew that it was what I wanted to do with my life. Ben [Affleck, Matt’s friend and Casey’s brother] had been on a PBS show – so he was a big star in our neighbourhood. He had an agent in New York, so when I was 16, I went with him and signed with the same agent." Boston to New York is quite a journey for a 16-year-old! Damon: "I look at it now and I’m shocked!" Affleck: "I was younger than that! I think it’s a generational thing – our mothers worked and if we really wanted to go to auditions, we had to go to New York alone." Damon: "We were down in New York getting into all kinds of adventures and they had no idea what we were doing. But we were good kids…" You both dropped out of university to pursue acting — did you have any doubts? Damon: "I kept getting jobs while I was at school that meant I’d have to leave. Technically, I think I’m still on an extended leave of absence – so I could go back and finish my senior year. "By the time I left, my class had graduated, my social circle had gone. A few years later, Good Will Hunting happened, and I was getting paid as a professional writer. So, I thought, why go back and get my English degree?" Was it the same for you, Casey? Affleck: "I had a similar experience – I would do a semester and then leave to work on something and go back to school when I didn’t have a job. At times, I’ve really loved being an actor – but there have always been periods where I thought I wanted to do something else. But I’ve never really launched far enough in any one direction to not come back to acting." Matt, Good Will Hunting was your breakthrough film — how did you cope with sudden stardom? Damon: "It was really disorientating. It’s like someone rewrites a piece of your code in the matrix – but only for you. Intellectually, you know that everything that mattered yesterday still matters today. The world has the same problems. "But the world is just never going to be the same for you. When you walk into a room, suddenly everyone turns and looks. It’s bizarre. I think that’s why so many [famous] people behave in odd ways. It’s relentless and it touches every part of your life." You seem to have navigated fame well, though. What’s your secret? Damon: "I worked, that’s what I did. There were three or four years where the only place that I was treated entirely normally was in the circus with my fellow circus performers. Movie crews didn’t care – they just wanted to work. So, I hid for a few years while I got my bearings. And then, luckily, I fell in love with someone who was not in the business." Affleck: "And who would tolerate it!" Damon: "Yes! And actually, that really helped me – 25 years ago, the gossip magazine culture was huge, but they ignored me. I wasn’t an exciting story – the guy who’s married, it’s boring! Scandal and sex, that’s what people would read magazines for. "I’ve been really lucky. Especially when I look at Casey’s brother, Ben. We’ve had parallel careers in a lot of ways, but I can’t imagine living under that scrutiny for 25 years." Doug Liman — who worked with Matt on The Bourne Identity — co-wrote The Instigators with you, Casey. It looked like a hoot to film — was it as fun behind the scenes? Damon: "We set out to make a fun action comedy, a movie that people would enjoy. We wanted it to be really entertaining." And it’s only an hour and a half — a bonus in a climate where films seem to be getting longer… Damon: "Yeah, it’s a quick one! We didn’t want to overstay our welcome. It’s fun and fast – but underneath that, there are themes about mental health, job insecurity for people in middle age, disruptions in the economy and political corruption. It’s not just a popcorn piece of entertainment – hopefully, the characters stay with you." The Instigators is available to stream globally on Apple TV+ - you can sign up to Apple TV+ here. Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
"Finding a career away from Daisy was a big thing for me"
The accidental star of This Country on fame, family and the show he fears most
Add Stags to your watchlist. What’s the view from your sofa? We’ve got two very young kids, so it’s total chaos. Normally I’m on the sofa, not watching a programme of my choice but, instead, some sort of dinosaur YouTube video. I take it you and your partner Rebecca Howlett have little or no control over the remote, then? I’ve been away working so as soon as I’m back, Becca dumps the kids on me. We sort of tag each other in – so we spend no time together. We’re like ships in the night. The kids rule the roost! But actually, cartoons like Bluey are so good. The standard of children’s TV is much better than when I was a kid. It used to just be Art Attack and SMart, which were so dull! What makes you switch off the TV? I have a phobia of daytime TV because it’s a reminder that I’m not really doing anything with my life. If I hear the opening credits to This Morning, I think, ‘God, I need to get out. I need to get changed. I need to make the bed!’ That’s my own personal issue… You co-wrote the BBC comedy This Country with your sister, Daisy May Cooper. Initially, you hadn’t planned on acting in the series… I had no intention of ever performing. In my early 20s, I was at a crossroads. Daisy had graduated from drama school and wasn’t getting any work so we just started writing about people from back home in Cirencester. I was never meant to be in it, but Daisy said I was the only one who could do the accent! It was a lucky accident. You became overnight stars — how did you cope with the fame? It was definitely overwhelming. We didn’t move away from where we grew up, which helped ground us. People locally got so bored of us – no one stops us any more, we’re old news! But if I go to London and people are excited to see us, it does feel amazing. It took us so long to get the show made and there were so many peaks and troughs. You can’t take it for granted. It wasn’t that long ago I was doing sports science at Exeter University. Did you have a back-up career if you couldn’t get This Country made? There were some really low points. We had to put our lives on hold. But there was no plan B. Our parents were so encouraging. They let us live at home so we didn’t pay any rent. We owe so much to them. I think we always had hope. Whether it would take ten, 20 or 30 years – we knew the idea was too good not to get picked up and I think that carried us through the whole time. <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2024/06/STAGS102-20231113-CRSTILLS99TRL1-d3f5146-e1723626316151.jpg" width="5698" height="3801" alt="Charlie Cooper as Ant, Paul Forman as Hugo, Nico Mirallegro as Stu, Cavan Clerkin as John, Asim Chaudhry as Greg, Corin Silva as Ryan and Jojo Macari as Kai in Stags, wearing yellow jumpsuits and stood in a line" title="STAGS - Season 1" /> How have you found life since This Country finished in 2020? I spent a few years deciding what I wanted to do. Finding a career away from Daisy was quite a big thing for me. I enjoy acting and having variety is nice. Every week is different – I’m working on my own projects, on other people’s shows and doing voiceovers. Having kids has grounded me, too. Now I’m taking on more opportunities. Some of those projects have included the film See How They Run and the new Paramount+ comedy Stags. How did you find the change from low-key BBC comedy to big-budget sets? It was quite daunting! This Country was so scaled down – it was a real safe space. So, initially [on other sets], I felt like a fish out of water. In See How They Run, I was next to Adrien Brody and Sam Rockwell… I couldn’t look them in the eye because I was in awe of them! Stags is the first job where I’ve felt at ease. View oEmbed on the source website As this comedy is about stag dos, what’s the worst one you’ve been on? A couple of weeks ago, I went on a stag do at Butlin’s in Bognor Regis. That was an experience… The people who behave the worst are the dads and uncles because they haven’t been out in so long. They get absolutely wasted and take their shirts off!
…are the parents who put their children on the path to gold. Six-time Olympic medallist Max Whitlock and his mother Madeleine reveal what it takes to raise a champion
View oEmbed on the source website In London in 2012, a fresh-faced, inexperienced 19-year-old Max Whitlock held a bronze medal in his hands. He, along with his teammates in the men’s gymnastics squad, had made history despite the fact that, just a few months beforehand, he had been told he wouldn’t be selected for the team. Fast-forward to 2024 and Whitlock is the most successful British gymnast of all time – he’s a six-time Olympic medallist (three gold and three bronze) and the most successful pommel-horse worker in the Games’ history. Now, he’s set on dominating Paris – his last hurrah ahead of retirement. “When people get their first Olympic medal, they might run around the arena going absolutely wild,” the 31-year-old says, in a living room that is light, spacious and minimalist – except for his bespoke pommel horse, of course. “I get teased because my biggest celebration is a little fist pump. I’m not downplaying the moment – I’m just trying to take it all in my stride. “The whole process and the build-up to the competition is so calculated. I’m so regimented and structured. When it comes to the moment, and it all plays out and you get an Olympic gold medal and you’ve done the best performance you could ever do – even then, I don’t fully relax. I just try and go with the flow, do each bit and never let the emotions erupt. I never rest or leave my hat on one result. I’m always like, ‘OK, that’s done. What’s next?’” Whitlock grew up in Hemel Hempstead with his parents, Brian and Madeleine, who own a children’s day nursery, and his brother Ben, four years his senior. “I had an amazing childhood and upbringing. I was seven when a friend got me into gymnastics. He had me try a few skills and I picked things up pretty fast. I got hooked on the sport quickly and became a bit obsessed. As a young gymnast, there are thousands and thousands of things to learn. But when you set foot in the gym on that first day, you feel like the world’s your oyster. You’ve got no fear – you can just throw yourself about.” At just nine years old, Whitlock made the GB squad and was doing 15 hours of training a week. Aged ten, that rose to upwards of 20 hours in the gym a week – and reached a high of 35 hours a week during his teenage years. “At that point, you couldn’t make a career out of gymnastics. There was no option of gaining sponsorship or funding for training. My parents supported me from a very, very early stage,” he explains. “My school was also hugely supportive. My mum would pick me up around noon and we’d drive to the gym, an hour away. I’d train from 1pm until 8pm and she would wait the whole time. I feel extremely lucky for the commitment from my mum and my dad, too – he was working all hours to help with the cost of everything. “People ask how I’ve stayed committed, training 35 hours a week, six days a week for so many years – but how did everyone around me stay so committed to enable me to do that?” While he was juggling training with school, surely his gymnastic skills caused a stir in the playground? “I was a shy kid – I wasn’t a show-off,” Whitlock laughs. “I’d only do something if someone peer-pressured me to do it. My coach tells a story of me being anxious about going into a shop to buy a chocolate bar because [I was nervous about] the interaction with the person at the counter. I felt so shy! At the same time, I was competing in a sport that is judged on aesthetics. I would be watched by a viewing gallery and judged by a panel – but I disconnected in a really positive way.” Did he ever experience any stigma as a boy gymnast? And with his successes, has he paved the way for more boys to get into gymnastics? “I’d like to think I’ve played a part, and that feels amazing. There was [stigma] for a lot of people – I feel like I was one of the lucky ones. In school, people thought it was cool. I can’t pinpoint why I had that experience, and others got stick because people thought it was ‘a girls’ sport’. I do feel like it’s changed massively, and that the changes have come from results. The guys on the team have produced results for ten to 15 years and that makes an impact. It inspires people. We see it after every Games, kids taking up the sport, waiting lists through the roof.” Did the London Games in 2012 make the biggest impact? “Home Games are such a rare opportunity – people are so lucky to experience that in a lifetime. I’d never been a gymnast who as a kid thought, ‘I want to go to the Olympics.’ But, at 17, I turned senior, and London 2012 was in my sights. “However, I was told by the team selector that 2012 wasn’t my cycle and that they were unlikely to pick me. I told them I wanted to be in the team, and I’d do my best. A month before the Olympics I got a phone call – I had made the team. I was very inexperienced – I’d only been the reserve for the World Championships before! “A home crowd doesn’t cheer – there’s a constant, loud roar. No other audience will ever come close to it. We got our first team medal in 100 years, then I got my bronze on the pommel. I’d been told I wouldn’t make the team and wouldn’t medal on the pommel – and I did both. That built my confidence, so my coach and I sat down and planned the next four years.” Whitlock achieved dizzying success – but it wasn’t all highs. The pandemic meant he didn’t compete for more than a year, and he had a fall at the European Championships in 2021. Then, despite retaining his gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021, Whitlock had a year off training and experienced a period of poor mental health. “I fell into a rut and really struggled mentally. I felt so lost in that moment. I felt like a failure even though I had just retained an Olympic title. I’d been used to looking forward, and suddenly I didn’t have a plan or a vision or targets. I’d never based myself on what I’d done previously – always on what I’d do next. So, that was a challenge. I felt like a complete waste of space. “From that period, I’ve learnt to be more present. That’s helped me a lot. Being more OK with how I’m feeling, more realistic and honest. I used to hide my feelings when I was struggling. I’d say, ‘I’m good.’ That’s when I crumbled.” Whitlock now has a five-year-old daughter, Willow, with his wife Leah, a gymnastics coach and ex-gymnast. Did having a child impact his approach to the sport? “Massively. It put a lot of things into perspective. Gymnastics has always been such a big priority, and still is – but when you have a child, nothing comes close. That’s helped me in the sport as well. If I’ve had a bad session and come home, Willow is excited to see me. If I’ve had a good session, she’s still excited to see me. She thinks I win everything – and I want to keep that feeling for as long as possible. She sees me as a superhero. She loves the fact that I’m an Olympic champion, and it’s wonderful that she’s coming to watch me in Paris.” Whitlock explains that he’s now considered an “older athlete” – seven years past peak age – so, consequently, his training is vastly different from the 35 hours he used to rack up in the gym. Now, it’s four days a week, four hours maximum, focusing on building his routine, stamina and fitness. When he’s not in the gym, he’s doing everything he can to recover for his next session – which explains the hot tub I spy in his garden. Is he apprehensive about the prospect of retiring? “I nearly retired after Tokyo. Looking back, that would have been quitting because of the fear of failing and moving forwards. I’ve come back and I now have the opportunity and the challenge ahead to make history in Paris. It feels amazing to grab that opportunity. I get huge motivation from trying to retain a title, and there’s no doubt that that’s my target in Paris. I’ll give it my best shot. “But it also feels like the final chapter of my career. It hasn’t hit me yet; when I come back from Paris, it might feel more real. I struggled after Tokyo with the lack of targets and process, but I’ve learnt from that time. My focus is going to be furthering the impact that I’ve built and getting young children involved in sports.” Max Whitlock competes in artistic gymnastics, which begins on Saturday 27 July. The pommel horse final is on Saturday 3 August MADELEINE Max’s first word was “ball” – he was obsessed with them. As soon as he started walking, he was kicking a ball around. We thought he was going to be a footballer. He was so cute! His brother Ben was part of a swim club, and Max followed him and watched him train. When he was old enough, he started swimming, too. There was a gym in the same sports centre and a friend of Max’s told him to come and try out gymnastics. He showed Max how to cartwheel and do handstands and from that moment on, Max cartwheeled and walked on his hands everywhere… I took him to a class and that was it. There was no stopping him. Max used to have competitions in the front room with Ben walking up and down on their hands and see who could do it for the longest! Ben used to beat him… I’d like to say they got their sportiness from me – but unfortunately not! It wasn’t until much later that I realised his potential – we just liked taking him to classes because he loved going. It wasn’t about how far he could go. Then, just before he turned nine, he got onto a World Class Start programme to develop new talent. He was the youngest person ever to get onto it. He had to decide whether to continue with swimming or gymnastics – he couldn’t do both, because it was too time-consuming. He decided to quit swimming and focus on gymnastics. We supported everything that Max wanted to do – and so did his school. I used to pick him up at 12.30, having prepared his food so he could eat it on the hour’s drive to the gym in south Essex. We’d do exactly the same thing the next day! My life changed, because it was such a long journey so I didn’t travel home while he trained. I stayed and waited for him. He had one day off a week – a Wednesday – so Saturdays and Sundays were also spent at the gym. But I was privileged because I got to watch him and that was lovely. I do get more nervous watching him compete now than I used to. I’d love for him to get gold – but all we really want is for him to go out there, compete and be happy with his routine. I don’t think I’ve sacrificed anything with Max – I’ve loved every minute. I’ve watched him progress from a little kid to the man he is now, and what he has achieved is amazing. He goes to every competition to do his job and he’s very humble. I’m really proud of him.
Max Whitlock on the Olympics, his childhood as a boy gymnast and fatherhood
The Olympian speaks to Radio Times about the upcoming games.
This interview first appeared in Radio Times magazine. In London in 2012, a fresh-faced, inexperienced 19-year-old Max Whitlock held a bronze medal in his hands. He, along with his teammates in the men's gymnastics squad, had made history despite the fact that, just a few months beforehand, he had been told he wouldn't be selected for the team. Fast-forward to 2024, and Whitlock is the most successful British gymnast of all time – he's a six-time Olympic medallist (three gold and three bronze) and the most successful pommel-horse worker in the Games' history. Now, he's set on dominating Paris – his last hurrah ahead of retirement. "When people get their first Olympic medal, they might run around the arena going absolutely wild," the 31-year-old says, in a living room that is light, spacious and minimalist – except for his bespoke pommel horse, of course. "I get teased because my biggest celebration is a little fist pump. I'm not downplaying the moment – I'm just trying to take it all in my stride. "The whole process and the build-up to the competition is so calculated. I’m so regimented and structured. When it comes to the moment, and it all plays out and you get an Olympic gold medal and you’ve done the best performance you could ever do – even then, I don’t fully relax. I just try and go with the flow, do each bit and never let the emotions erupt. I never rest or leave my hat on one result. I’m always like, ‘OK, that’s done. What’s next?’” View oEmbed on the source website Whitlock grew up in Hemel Hempstead with his parents, Brian and Madeleine, who own a children’s day nursery, and his brother Ben, four years his senior. "I had an amazing childhood and upbringing. I was seven when a friend got me into gymnastics. He had me try a few skills and I picked things up pretty fast. "I got hooked on the sport quickly and became a bit obsessed. As a young gymnast, there are thousands and thousands of things to learn. But when you set foot in the gym on that first day, you feel like the world’s your oyster. You’ve got no fear – you can just throw yourself about." At just nine years old, Whitlock made the GB squad and was doing 15 hours of training a week. Aged 10, that rose to upwards of 20 hours in the gym a week – and reached a high of 35 hours a week during his teenage years. "At that point, you couldn’t make a career out of gymnastics. There was no option of gaining sponsorship or funding for training. My parents supported me from a very, very early stage," he explains. "My school was also hugely supportive. My mum would pick me up around noon and we’d drive to the gym, an hour away. I’d train from 1pm until 8pm and she would wait the whole time. I feel extremely lucky for the commitment from my mum and my dad, too – he was working all hours to help with the cost of everything. "People ask how I’ve stayed committed, training 35 hours a week, six days a week for so many years – but how did everyone around me stay so committed to enable me to do that?" While he was juggling training with school, surely his gymnastic skills caused a stir in the playground? “I was a shy kid – I wasn’t a show-off,” Whitlock laughs. "I’d only do something if someone peer-pressured me to do it. My coach tells a story of me being anxious about going into a shop to buy a chocolate bar because [I was nervous about] the interaction with the person at the counter. I felt so shy! At the same time, I was competing in a sport that is judged on aesthetics. I would be watched by a viewing gallery and judged by a panel – but I disconnected in a really positive way." Did he ever experience any stigma as a boy gymnast? And with his successes, has he paved the way for more boys to get into gymnastics? "I’d like to think I’ve played a part, and that feels amazing. There was [stigma] for a lot of people – I feel like I was one of the lucky ones. In school, people thought it was cool. I can’t pinpoint why I had that experience, and others got stick because people thought it was ‘a girls’ sport’. "I do feel like it’s changed massively, and that the changes have come from results. The guys on the team have produced results for ten to 15 years and that makes an impact. It inspires people. We see it after every Games, kids taking up the sport, waiting lists through the roof.” Did the London Games in 2012 make the biggest impact? "Home games are such a rare opportunity – people are so lucky to experience that in a lifetime. I’d never been a gymnast who as a kid thought, ‘I want to go to the Olympics.’ But, at 17, I turned senior, and London 2012 was in my sights. "However, I was told by the team selector that 2012 wasn’t my cycle and that they were unlikely to pick me. I told them I wanted to be in the team, and I’d do my best. A month before the Olympics I got a phone call – I had made the team. I was very inexperienced – I’d only been the reserve for the World Championships before! "A home crowd doesn’t cheer – there’s a constant, loud roar. No other audience will ever come close to it. We got our first team medal in 100 years, then I got my bronze on the pommel. I’d been told I wouldn’t make the team and wouldn’t medal on the pommel – and I did both. That built my confidence, so my coach and I sat down and planned the next four years." Whitlock achieved dizzying success – but it wasn’t all highs. The pandemic meant he didn’t compete for more than a year, and he had a fall at the European Championships in 2021. Then, despite retaining his gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021, Whitlock had a year off training and experienced a period of poor mental health. "I fell into a rut and really struggled mentally. I felt so lost in that moment. I felt like a failure even though I had just retained an Olympic title. I’d been used to looking forward, and suddenly I didn’t have a plan or a vision or targets. I’d never based myself on what I’d done previously – always on what I’d do next. So, that was a challenge. I felt like a complete waste of space. "From that period, I’ve learnt to be more present. That’s helped me a lot. Being more OK with how I’m feeling, more realistic and honest. I used to hide my feelings when I was struggling. I’d say, 'I’m good.' That’s when I crumbled." Whitlock now has a five-year-old daughter, Willow, with his wife Leah, a gymnastics coach and ex-gymnast. Did having a child impact his approach to the sport? "Massively. It put a lot of things into perspective. Gymnastics has always been such a big priority, and still is – but when you have a child, nothing comes close. "That’s helped me in the sport as well. If I’ve had a bad session and come home, Willow is excited to see me. If I’ve had a good session, she’s still excited to see me. She thinks I win everything – and I want to keep that feeling for as long as possible. She sees me as a superhero. She loves the fact that I’m an Olympic champion, and it’s wonderful that she’s coming to watch me in Paris." Whitlock explains that he’s now considered an "older athlete" – seven years past peak age – so, consequently, his training is vastly different from the 35 hours he used to rack up in the gym. Now, it’s four days a week, four hours maximum, focusing on building his routine, stamina and fitness. When he’s not in the gym, he’s doing everything he can to recover for his next session – which explains the hot tub I spy in his garden. Is he apprehensive about the prospect of retiring? "I nearly retired after Tokyo. Looking back, that would have been quitting because of the fear of failing and moving forwards. I’ve come back and I now have the opportunity and the challenge ahead to make history in Paris. It feels amazing to grab that opportunity. I get huge motivation from trying to retain a title, and there’s no doubt that that’s my target in Paris. I’ll give it my best shot. "But it also feels like the final chapter of my career. It hasn’t hit me yet; when I come back from Paris, it might feel more real. I struggled after Tokyo with the lack of targets and process, but I’ve learnt from that time. My focus is going to be furthering the impact that I’ve built and getting young children involved in sports." The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is available to buy now – subscribe to Radio Times here. Check out more of our Sport coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Emma Myers on A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and why Wednesday reaction was "overwhelming"
Myers spoke about her new show and her love of Lord of the Rings on the Radio Times Podcast and in the latest issue of Radio Times magazine.
Emma Myers, the young actor best known for playing Enid in Wednesday, is now starring in BBC Three's adaptation of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, playing the lead role of Pip. In anticipation of the show's release, which is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer, Myers spoke in an interview for The Radio Times Podcast, which was also published in the latest issue of Radio Times magazine. Myers spoke about working on her British accent, seeing Susan and Lucy Pevensie from the Narnia series as role models and her love of Lord of the Rings. You can listen to the podcast right here, or read the interview, below. View oEmbed on the source website How did you land the role of Pip? I was flying home from London [Myers was born and raised in Orlando, Florida] and I got an email asking if I would meet with the director, Dolly. I read the first three episodes, and I really liked it. We ran through a scene together and they said that if I sent in a tape with a British accent, the role would be mine. How did you channel your Britishness? I used to do a British accent for fun – but I was never really good at it! I was nervous because by the time I joined the project, I only had two weeks to nail it before we started shooting. I had a dialect coach, we went through every single scene a million times. That helped – but it wasn’t something I picked up right away! Pip is a great female role model — who were yours growing up? Susan and Lucy from Narnia were always my role models! I was homeschooled so my curriculum consisted of reading books that focused on different eras of history – they were niche! I loved it because it gave me so much freedom. We used to live close to the Disney resort and there were passes for residents. Me and my three sisters would go for the day and do our schooling at night! What made you want to act? I was really into fantasy – The Lord of the Rings was my favourite book, and the films were why I became an actor. Peter Jackson used to make vlogs of behind-the-scenes content; I watched those and thought, ‘Man, that’s such a cool job’. You play the character of Enid in Wednesday. The reaction to the show has been huge — how have you coped? I didn’t even realise how much of a hit the show had become because I was busy with work. My mum sat me down and said, ‘Do you realise how big this show is?’ People don’t really understand that [you’re a real person]. They can cross boundaries. That gets overwhelming – but it helps to have a good support system at home. Has fame stopped you doing what regular 22-year-olds do? I’m pretty much a homebody. I don’t like going out – so it’s not been an issue for me! All six episodes of A Good Girl's Guide To Murder are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer, and will air on BBC Three from 9pm on Wednesday 12th July. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Dolly Wells on A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, the beauty of ageing and Emily Mortimer
Speaking to the Radio Times Podcast, the actor, writer and director looks back on her career so far – and forward to what's next.
There seems to be very little that Dolly Wells can’t do. She’s played a vampire-hunting nun in Steven Moffat’s Dracula, a woman locked in a basement with David Tennant in Inside Man and an incompetent assistant in Sky comedy Doll & Em (co-written with her best friend, actor Emily Mortimer). Now she has turned her hand to directing with BBC Three’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. Based on the bestselling book of the same name, it follows precocious teenager Pip (Emma Myers), who decides to investigate the unsolved murder of an older girl from her school. “It was Emily who told me about the series,” the 52-year-old explains over videocall from her home in Brooklyn. “It’s made by the company that produced The Pursuit of Love – which she worked on. I remember her saying, ‘They’re looking for someone really interesting and I thought you should do it’. I said, ‘They’re not going to want me!’ It’s hilarious. She’s like a proud mum. She always thinks everybody would want me to do everything and they’d be crazy not to.” But, it was indeed Wells whom they wanted and went with. It’s shot beautifully – with a hint of Sex Education. We’re in a twee British town, with a slightly Americanised high school and teenagers getting up to more than you’d like to think. Wells was raised just off London’s Kensington High Street, the youngest of six siblings. She was christened Dorothy Gatacre, but was always Dolly. “I have a horrible memory, from when I started school, of the headmistress holding me in her arms on stage in front of the whole school, saying this girl likes to be called ‘Dolly’ like it was a bad thing! She said, ‘We’re not going to allow that. She’s going to be called Dorothy’. I had to stay behind after class and learn how to write Dorothy, not Dolly.” Listen to the full Radio Times Podcast with Dolly Wells here: View oEmbed on the source website Years later, she would change her surname from Gatacre to Wells. She was 18 when she discovered the man she had thought was her stepfather – comic actor John Wells – was actually her biological father. “I was the only child of my mum and dad. My other five siblings have a different father [Edward Gatacre] and I’d been brought up with his name. I didn’t want to be disloyal [by changing it] but I thought in the arena of acting it wouldn’t matter because he doesn’t really watch telly. Dolly Wells is my actual name, and it’s much simpler and shorter than Dolly Gatacre – and it was a nice way of making it all OK.” Dolly and John were thick as thieves. She tells me about an incident at school where her classmate knocked her into a table and her tooth went missing, nowhere to be found. It was only after a trip to the dentist that they realised the tooth had been shoved up into her gums. “My dad was so adorable. He made a little voodoo doll of the boy [who pushed me], because we were so upset. He made it out of plasticine and we put pins in it. When I went to school the next day and the boy walked past calmly, I couldn’t believe that the plasticine and candles hadn’t worked!” <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2024/07/a-good-girls-guide-to-murder-dolly-wells-emma-myers-2dce586.jpg" width="4415" height="2943" alt="Dolly Wells and Emma Myers in a bedroom filming A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. Emma is lying on a bed and Dolly is crouched on the floor next to her, both laughing." title="Dolly Wells and Emma Myers on the set of A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" /> There are plenty more examples of how John Wells shaped Dolly’s career path. “I was eight and my dad had Peter Cook and Dudley Moore round. I put on a hat and pretended to be a man, and they all went along with it – saying, ‘It’s so sweet of you to give us your time’. I sat there thinking, ‘How am I going to stop this because they totally believe me?’ I said I had another meeting and walked off. “I also remember hours of me and my dad playing doctors. He would come in on his knees pretending to be different patients and I would tell him what was wrong with him. He would play with me for hours. It was probably almost as fun for him as it was for me. I know that feeling with my own kids. You’re so desperate to make your children laugh, it’s pathetic.” Despite a creative start, it took Wells a while to establish herself as an actress. After finishing at Manchester University she did odd jobs alongside acting; she was a photographer’s assistant, had a stall at Portobello market, wrote for the Daily Express and Evening Standard. It was only when she had her daughter (Wells also has a son with ex-husband Mischa Richter) in her 30s, that she decided to go for it. “I had this feeling of… you have to push in the world. I think I was scared to be ambitious, and I didn’t massively understand what it was to be that. My mum, with the greatest respect, who is 91 and adorable, never really worked. If you asked her, ‘What do you do?’ she used to say, ‘I do my face. I do my hair.’” Wells was once quoted in an interview saying, “If you’re a character actor, it doesn’t matter if you get older and can no longer play the pretty ingénue.” Have times changed? “It’s quite nice getting older. I wish people had told me that as a woman. So much has changed. Beauty is everywhere and everything and every size or colour or shape or height or age. It’s so embarrassing to think in the past that people thought that after 40 you wouldn’t get any acting work. What? People haven’t got a story to tell over 40? That’s bonkers! “When I had my daughter, I had an instinct of, I’m not going to make her looks very important. I’m going to push for the funny and the clever and the interesting, the odd and the peculiar. It makes me and my daughter laugh – but my mum really thought her biggest claim to fame, her biggest achievement, was her legs. It’s odd to think there was a time when that was enough.” It’s not just on screen that we’re seeing genuine change – it’s also behind the camera. “I think more women directing and being in charge is a really good thing. It doesn’t need to be really stressful on set. People don’t need to be scared of a director.” Wells now writes, directs and acts. Will she be hanging up her boots any time soon? “Directing gives me real respect and empathy for actors. It’s a very odd thing to put yourself in situations – be it funny or awful, where you give it your all so that people can come home from a long day at work and watch something that moves them or makes them feel happy. “I’m also writing a film, which is really hard. I love writing with Em but she’s writing a film and I’m writing a film, so that’s quite lonely. And we’re longing to do a third series of Doll & Em. But right now, I’m also filming And Just Like That. I really love acting and I don’t want to hang up my boots!” For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast. All six episodes of A Good Girl's Guide To Murder are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer, and will air on BBC Three later this month. Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.
Suranne Jones on Coronation Street, comfort TV and taking control of her career
"The characters I chose to do after Corrie didn't have to be beautiful."
In the latest View From My Sofa, Suranne Jones opens up to Radio Times about her years on Coronation Street, moving into producing and why she's now investigating witch trials in a new documentary. You can hear more from Suranne in the Radio Times Podcast – listen below: View oEmbed on the source website What’s the view from your sofa? We’ve got a big, green velvet sofa. We’re going to change it because it’s too low. We bought it so we could slump but we actually can’t get up. My view is of my legs, my little boy’s legs, my husband’s legs covered in a blanket – and two dogs’ heads. We’ve got bookshelves, wedding pictures and a couple of awards! What do you enjoy watching on TV? I watch stuff in the bath separately to the boys. At the moment, it’s a lot of shows about housewives, The Valley and Bake Off. I’ve been filming a big Netflix show and I’ve done a lot of research and reading, so when I’m relaxing, I want something mind-numbing. Who controls the remote when you do watch together? We both have to be invested in it! On Saturday nights, we watch shows with my little boy – Gladiators, Britain’s Got Talent. It’s only since he’s turned eight that he wants to watch TV with us, have a curry and eat snacks! You started out in Coronation Street as Karen McDonald. As a girl who’d grown up in Greater Manchester, that must have been a brilliant role to land? All the northerners were punching the air when I signed the contract! It was really exciting. I won awards for being mouthy and, wrongly or rightly, sexy. That was the era of the lad mags… It was really hard. I was at Corrie for a few months, and I was doing bikini shoots. I hadn’t even thought about my body in that way. I was going to all these awards and parties. It was full on. I was in the papers at the weekends. I was being chased by motorbikes. I had paps outside my house. It was big! But, at the same time I was enjoying myself. I was young – it was my university. That was a time where women were told they should look [a certain way] – there was no body positivity. The damage has been done for women of 40 and above. I don’t know what it’s like for younger people now, but hopefully it’s better. Have those pressures eased over time? The characters I chose to do after Corrie didn’t have to be beautiful. I decided what they looked like, how they moved. The pressure now is – am I strong enough? Will I get through the long shooting days? It’s about being healthy for my son. I don’t have any kind of Botox, but I do look after my skin. I try to eat well but I also shove cake in my gob. It’s about balance, isn’t it? In 2018, you had a mental health breakdown following the loss of your mother and triggered by working exhausting hours. What have you learnt from that experience? I’ve learnt not to work over the summer. My son has six weeks of holiday – and I thought, what’s the reason for that? It’s so you can experience life. Surely that’s good for adults as well? Not everyone can do that. I work intense hours for periods of time and then I take time off – which maybe I didn’t do before. Your latest project is a documentary, Suranne Jones: Investigating Witch Trials, made with your husband Laurence Akers by your production company, TeamAkers. Why witches? I’ve always been intrigued by witchcraft, witch trials, wild women, feminine power and the political nature of the word “witch”. I was brought up Catholic and lost my way with that. Over the years spirituality has become a big thing for me. Why did you want to produce? When we started making this, I was also making I Am Victoria, which was about mental health. Then I said, “Let’s do a thriller” – which I’ve just finished filming for Netflix – in which I play the prime minister. We’ve just had another commission for a show about two female fraudsters. They’re all really strong and really different. I feel like I’m in control of my slate, what I spend my time doing, I can work around my family – and I can make sure that I’m not pigeonholed. The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is out now – subscribe here. Suranne Jones: Investigating Witch Trials continues at 9pm on Sunday 30th June on Channel 4. Check out more of our Documentaries coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Karen Gillan on Douglas is Cancelled, Doctor Who and the "verbal gymnastics" of Steven Moffat's writing
Gillan talks cancel culture, preparing for "traumatic scenes" and how the role of Amy Pond changed her life on the Radio Times Podcast.
On the latest episode of the Radio Times Podcast, Karen Gillan dives into her journey with the new ITV series Douglas Is Cancelled. It all started six years ago when her friend, writer Steven Moffat, shared the script with her. Back then, it wasn’t even a TV show – just a brilliant story in need of a platform. Gillan immediately saw its potential and urged Moffat to develop it. When he finally did, turning it into a series and offering her the role of Madeline, she jumped at the chance. You can listen to and read the full interview below. How did your involvement in Douglas Is Cancelled come about? Steven [Moffat] shared the script with me, as a friend, about six years ago – before it was even a TV show. He didn’t know what it was going to be – a play maybe – but he knew he had the story. I read it and said, "This is absolutely brilliant. You have to do something with this." When he told me they were making it into an ITV series and asked if I’d like to play Madeline, I immediately said, "Yes, absolutely!" What makes his writing special? He is a master of storytelling, and this show is a real feat — topical, weighted and moving… This project is probably one my favourite things I’ve ever done. I love Steven’s writing so much – it feels like verbal gymnastics. It’s the most fun to deliver – it always has been, from the Doctor Who days. In the show, your co-host gets cancelled after a tweet accuses him of saying something inappropriate. What are your thoughts on cancel culture? It’s always existed to a certain degree but with everyone being on social media and it being so instant, it feels like a more nerve-racking time. It feels like an irrational fear because I don’t think I’d do or say anything offensive, but there is a looming threat anyway. With such a large social following, surely you’ve also been on the receiving end of vile treatment? Definitely. I have people who’ve been coming at me for years on end, relentlessly. I feel quite separated from it, to be honest – I don’t take it to heart. I feel like there might be some mental illness involved so I don’t judge. I try to find empathy in the situation. Your character, Madeline, is trying to make her mark in the TV industry. In a post #MeToo era, there are elements of her story that ring true. How do you prepare for particularly traumatic scenes? And how do you switch off afterwards? Episode 3 is really heavy. When I read the script for it, I knew I absolutely had to play her. The subject is one that I felt was really important to tell. It’s an intense situation that Madeline is trying to navigate because she really wants this job and she’s having to deal with all these things being thrown at her. But it was actually quite close to Christmas when we filmed it – so everyone had their Christmas jumpers on off-camera. How has the industry changed since you started out? Are women more protected now? I would say that it has taken some steps forward since the #MeToo movement – which is great to see. Accountability is important. It was a major issue prior to that. I don’t think we’re there yet – there’s still a way to go. But I do see people making a conscious effort to better the situation and themselves. Every time there’s a scene of a sexual nature or even a kiss, there’s an intimacy coach now. Some actors don’t like that because they feel it kills the mood, but I think it’s a really good thing because everybody feels more comfortable and there are clear boundaries. In your career, you’ve faced scrutiny for how you’ve dressed. What pressure is put on women’s bodies when they’re famous? We’ve been dealing with that for a long time… I remember there being an uproar about my costume on Doctor Who and poor Steven getting the brunt of the blame. Actually, he’d had nothing to do with it. I was 21 and knew what 21-year-olds wore, so I’d told them what I wanted to wear! To see backlash towards that was really strange and fascinating and didn’t feel right. When did the acting bug bite? My dad tells a story of me pointing at the television and saying, "How do I get in there?" I was drawn to all things performance-related and putting on a show. As a child, I was so quiet and unable to look people in the eye. I’m not even exaggerating. It was an extreme shyness. But, when I was performing, I wasn’t like that. It was a moment of relief. I’m not sure this is the healthiest example – but it’s like when you get drunk – no inhibitions. As a girl from Inverness, did a glistening screen career seem possible? I’m a very working-class girl and I had no connections to the industry. My mum worked in Tesco and my dad worked in a care home for people with learning disabilities. It didn’t seem like the most viable career option. There were people who had gone into theatre but not so much film and TV. My parents were incredibly supportive. From a young age my dad taught me what it is to have drive, so I always knew what I needed to do to achieve the things I wanted. Plus, I had an absolutely delusional amount of self-belief. If you had interviewed me as a child and asked me if I’d have a career in acting, I’d have said, "It 100 per cent will happen. There’s zero doubt in my mind." Although I think my mum would be happier if I was still working in Tesco. I’d be around more! That’s nice in a way – my career doesn’t really register with them that much. You were 17 when you left Scotland for London and enrolled at drama school. But you were only a student for two months? I got an audition and was booked for the job. The drama school wouldn’t let me do it because they said it was too early in my training. It was just one episode of Rebus. But I thought, "I have to leave drama school and do it." So I left. I still had the blind optimism of youth. I remember teachers saying, as I was walking out of the school, "You’re making one of the biggest mistakes of your life." It was eight days of filming and then I was working in a pub. I was pulling pints every day and not getting any work. I decided to ring the director of Rebus and ask if he knew of any London agents. He happened to be in the same room as an agent who had just been given her own client list at a top agency. It was a weird synchronicity. She took me on and then I had access to all the auditions in London. That led to Doctor Who. Did playing Amy Pond change your life overnight? It was the best time ever. I couldn’t believe I’d gotten the part. It seemed like a miracle. I went back up to Scotland with two people from the BBC and my agent. We descended on my little house to tell my parents! One of the guys from the BBC posted something on his phone and it was immediately on the news on our television. It was the weirdest sensation. There were journalists knocking on our door within the hour. My mum was on her lunch break from Tesco and had to go back to work! How did you handle losing your anonymity? That was a shock to the system. All of a sudden, there were people outside my house waiting to take pictures. I was a normal 21-year-old who would go out and get drunk with her friends and suddenly it was like – you have to be careful about doing that now because it looks like you’re going off the rails if you go out with your friends and have alcohol. I was incredibly conscious of how things would be perceived. I started to tread really carefully. I’m still like that because of that experience. You then traded the Whoniverse for the Marvel Universe — what was the move to Hollywood like? I remember being really nervous to do the first Guardians of the Galaxy film because it was a big Hollywood movie, and I didn’t know what it was going to be like. I was in fight or flight mode, going to the set terrified. But when I got there, I realised, "Oh, this feels like Doctor Who, just bigger and with more perks! I know my way around a spaceship!" You now live in LA — is it easier to have a more private life there? I don’t know if anything will match the Doctor Who levels [of fame]. These things come in waves, and it depends on how much you’re in the public consciousness at the time. With Doctor Who, you were in people’s living rooms every Saturday night on a regular basis – that means that people really feel like they know you, so you can’t get around at all. When you do a film, everybody recognises you for two weeks and then it calms down. I can just walk around and nobody will even look at me. I feel really happy about that, actually, because I think I would lose my mind if I couldn’t go for a coffee on my own. It’s my favourite thing. Do you miss home? I’m homesick every single day of my life. I’m on Rightmove all the time, looking at houses. I think there’s a possibility that I’ll come back at some point. I’ve made my house very Scottish- looking – it doesn’t feel like I’m in LA at all. It reminds me of a granny’s home in Scotland – which is what I am in my soul. As a woman who is 5ft 10in, has height impacted your career? Good question! I mean, not that I’m aware of, but it’s entirely possible that I haven’t gotten roles because I’m a foot taller than the male lead. I have noticed one disadvantage to being tall, though – when they film you, they’re looking up at you all the time. If you’re short, the camera looks down on you, and that is way more flattering. I’m like, "Why are you filming my double chin?!" Let’s get some taller cinematographers! For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Joanna Lumley on the secrets of a long marriage, the Swinging Sixties and beauty
The actress joins Kelly-Anne Taylor in the studio for this week's episode.
This week on the Radio Times Podcast, Kelly-Anne Taylor is joined in the studio by actress, presenter and author Dame Joanna Lumley. The actress boasts a successful career across six decades, from her hit sitcom Absolutely Fabulous to wonderful travel programmes. In this episode, Lumley talks about why she doesn't have a mobile phone and how difficult she found it to shed the 'pretty girl' stereotype when she moved from modelling to acting. Plus, she talks about raising a child as a single mother, how playing Purdy in The New Avengers changed things financially for her, and why she wishes sex scenes would be cut from TV and film. View oEmbed on the source website This interview was originally published in Radio Times magazine. What's the view from your sofa? A fireplace! I love open fires. There are also lots of bookshelves and paintings. I'm a maximalist and my husband [conductor Stephen Barlow] is very patient. In rather a bourgeois manner, I keep the TV covered up because I don't like flat black screens. What do you enjoy watching on telly? I adore travel programmes – especially with Simon Reeve. He's just great. I love what I call my "Special Pain Television", shows like The Apprentice or First Dates – anything that makes you curl up with embarrassment and horror. We bought a box set of all Shakespeare's plays made by the BBC starting in the '70s – and they're sensational. Who controls the remote? You get fond of what your partner likes. I've become fonder of car racing because he likes that. We watch television, but we also read a lot and he's a musician, so we listen to a lot of music. We're not ruled by the box. Jan Etherington wrote Radio 4's Conversations from a Long Marriage with you in mind. Why is it so popular? People always ask, "Is Jan listening in on us? Does she have a microphone in our floorboards?" Her genius is finding the sweet spots in marriage. I think people like to listen because it sounds like their own lives. It's funny and light-hearted – but also profound. There's love and loss. Our characters realise they're getting older – as do a lot of our listeners. I feel young – but I know, by years, that I’m getting older. Things go wrong but behind it all is sweet love. How do you create that relationship with your Conversations co-star Roger Allam? It's easy peasy! Masses of women come up to me and say, "Can I marry Roger?" No! A) He's married to Rebecca [Saire] and B) I'm first in line! You've been married to Stephen for 38 years. What's the secret to a successful marriage? Ade Edmondson had the answer to that – don't get divorced! I think, respect your partner and always treat them as the most important person in the world. When did you first get the inkling you wanted to be a performer? I was a show-off as a child! I'm an entertainer really – I wanted to make people laugh and tell stories. If I hadn't been an actor, I'd have been a teacher. I never had a plan or certain ambitions. When you started out in the 1960s, wasn't having money seen as crass? When I came to London in the Swinging Sixties, money was considered very vulgar. You never talked about it! If anybody did have money, they'd quietly pay for things. If you didn't, you'd hold your head high, be entertaining and look good. The [current] obsession with money and rich lists – showing how much you've spent on things by having Chanel written on your clothes – is alien to me. I still have '60s dreams in my head. Your career has spanned almost six decades – what are the biggest changes you've seen in the industry? Who is behind the camera. In the olden days, women on set would be continuity and make-up, all the rest were men. Now we have women editors, camerawomen and women on sound. There has also been a great broadening in work for older women. You've spoken out about hating performing – or watching – sex scenes. They bore me rigid! The second you take your clothes off, the audience looks at you, the actor, and your attributes – what your breasts and genitals are like. You've immediately lost the character you've built. There's a playground element to it – pull your pants down and let's see what you've got. I'd cut them altogether. They slow things down. They're rude and horrible. I don't watch people on the lavatory! Visit our TV Guide, Radio Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.