On Tuesday 18 February at 8PM on BBC BRIT (DStv channel 120), Graham welcomes Hollywood stars Margot Robbie and Jim Carrey, British actors Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith, and Scottish singer songwriter Lewis Capaldi.
Margot, talking about her new film Birds of Prey and the female-centric cast and crew, says, “Aside from the fact that we have an all-female ensemble in an action film, which is very rare, we have a female director, female writer and two out of three producers are women. There was a lot of girl power! It’s taken about four years to get it made and now we are showing it to the world it is very exciting. I love being Harley. It is so much fun.”
Talking about the premiere’s after party, she says, “It kicked on! I have a big group of friends in London and I invited them all – it was a great time to catch up. There was a studio dinner while everyone was watching the film and then there were supposed to be work drinks rather than a party. They told me my friends could come and I was like, ‘Are you sure? I have 40 guests coming and if it’s an open bar, I think you are going to regret that!’ They let them all in and it was a really fun night. It got a bit rowdy!”
Asked about Bombshell, for which she is Oscar nominated, Margot says, “Despite its dark subject matter it’s very entertaining. There’s always humour mixed in with these traumatic situations. It has a kinetic force and pace and a lot of research behind it. It’s fascinating.”
Daniel, talking about his new film, Queen & Slim, in which he co-stars with Jodie, and the big issue it features, says, “That’s what really appealed to me about the script – there’s a serious issue, but the writer managed to make it light through the characters we meet.”
Jodie adds, “It’s really about two people and who they become because of the trauma and because of the connection between them.”
Daniel, talking about the pressures of auditions, says “My best tip is to leave as quickly as possible. Don’t try and small talk, just leave. Don’t even say goodbye. Though, I did that once and I didn’t realise I had another scene!”
Margot, who is now a producer, interjects, “It’s really weird to be on the other side of it now. When I was auditioning, I always wondered if people were watching and being savage and tearing me apart. It turns out everyone is so savage and tears everyone apart! It’s horrible.”
Jodie interjects, “Modelling is even worse – when you do ‘Go-Sees’ some people don’t even look up. They take your card and then dismiss you.”
Daniel, revealing his Spotlight entry isn’t entirely truthful, he says, “I’ve lied a lot. Obviously I wanted jobs, so I put that I could do all the accents. I even double asterisked them to say I was highly skilled. I then went to an audition and was doing really well until they asked me to do a Scottish accent. I started somewhere in the Midlands, worked my way upwards and landed in Liverpool. They asked me to leave!”
Jodie, talking about her pregnancy and cradling her bare bump, says, “It’s all going quite well actually. I’ve just got a couple of months left, but I’m very close to the finish line.”
Jim Carey joins Graham for a chat.
After being introduced to everyone, Jim tells Daniel how much he admires his work before serenading him with a song of his own composition.
Talking about his new movie Sonic the Hedgehog, Jim says, “I absolutely had the best time. I opened the door and let the mustang run. I’m not sure there’s one word from the script in the movie! It was just pure fun – with no holds barred. I hope we get to do it again.”
Asked about his memoir/novel Memoirs and Misinformation, he says, “It took me eight years to do. It’s a study of persona and the fallacy of the human being and it’s the only real way I can explain myself to people. It’s a real look inside.”
Lewis performs Before You Go live in the studio, before joining Graham for a chat.
Talking about attending the Grammys, he says, “There were a lot of people who act as seat fillers who kept coming and going as guests left their seats to make it look busy. During a commercial break a seat filler came up to me thinking I was a seat filler too and said, ‘I can take this seat now, you can go.’ I said, “I know I didn’t win the Grammy, but I thought I’d be allowed to stay to the end!”
And finally, Graham, with more than a little help from Jim, pulls the lever on more foolhardy audience members brave enough to sit in the Big Red Chair.
Next week Graham’s guests include Mark Ruffalo, David Schwimmer, Nick Mohammed, Tamsin Greig and Alicia Keys.
The Graham Norton Show, BBC Brit, continues Tuesday 18th February at 8 PM.
Image Courtesy: Supplied