The Graham Norton Show

Meryl Streep says she could never stand for public office, Carey Mulligan confirms the baby rumours are true, Nicole Kidman reveals she suffered terrible stage fright and Nigella Lawson says it's lovely to be back on TV, while Gabrielle Aplin performs live in the studio.

Meryl Streep, talking about her new movie Suffragette, and a balcony scene, in which, as Emmeline Pankhurst she addresses the suffragettes, she says, "There was a real buzz because we didn't rehearse it and there was a big crowd of actors. I was really nervous as it was my only thing in the movie and I kept forgetting my lines, but it was really exciting and they were very forgiving."

Asked why she wanted to do the film, she says, "It's historic and it's the first civil rights film about women. This is all such recent history if you think about it. My grandmother had had three children before she was allowed to vote and I remember her telling me how annoyed she was. Not that she couldn't vote for the president, but that she couldn't vote for the school board."

Talking about the feminist theme of the film, and asked if she thought she might ever run for public office, she says, "Oh god no. Never. I am in awe of people that put their lives on the line like that. The cost to family and to the larger group of people you love would be too great - it's like offering them up on an altar."

Asked if she has ever had a bad review, she says, "When I was in a Woody Allen film I got one that said, 'It was the best performance by a head of hair!'"

Revealing that she once had very disappointing feedback from one director, she recalls, "We were filming Sophie's Choice and shooting all through the night and we were all tired. It was right at the end of the film in the concentration camp and the scene was all in German. It was very, very difficult and people were exhausted. We did the scene and I thought, 'That's it, that's the take.' And I looked over and both the director and the cinematographer were sound asleep! I said, 'And cut' and we all went home!"

Carey Mulligan, obviously delighted and looking remarkably svelte, confirms that she has had a baby, "Yep. It is a girl and she's three weeks old."

Revealing she was instrumental in getting Meryl the part in Suffragette, Carey says, "I was signed on quite early and we were trying to figure out who could do the part of Emmeline Pankhurst. I was on a walk with my mum and she said, 'What if you got Meryl Streep.' I said, 'bless you, but we are never going to get Meryl Streep.' I mentioned it to the director and said, 'We may as well offer it to her. What does it matter if she says no.' When I got the email saying she was in I was amazed and almost dropped my phone in the bath!"

Asked if she had been reluctant to take the lead role in the film, Carey says, "I wasn't reluctant to do it once I had read it but I had done a lot of costume dramas in my early 20s and then I did a lot of things so as not to be the British period drama girl in corsets. Then I read it and just couldn't say no."

Admitting that the film resulted in another tattoo, Carey says, "I inked up more." Showing off a small tattoo on her wrist, which reads. 'Love that overcometh' a phrase inspired by the death of suffragette Emily Davison, she adds, "It was in the film and I was so ramped after the film I went and did it and then I emailed everyone including Helena (Bonham Carter) and Sarah (Gavron) and said, 'I did it. Did you?' and it was an overwhelming 'no'. Helena sent me a picture of a fake bunny tattoo!"

Revealing how she ruined the Prada dress she wore to the Oscars the year she was nominated for An Education, she says, "I borrowed an amazing dress that was covered in tiny knives & forks and scissors & plates and things. It was the only awards' ceremony that I enjoyed because I really knew by then that I wasn't going to win so I went to every party and did it properly! At two in the morning I decided everyone wanted to have a little memento from my dress and started picking pieces off and giving them as gifts, like party favours. Prada was very forgiving!"

Nicole Kidman, talking about her return to the London stage in Photograph 51 after an absence of 17 years, says, "I was terrified. I jumped in and said, 'Yes, I'll do a play,' and then reality of it kicked in and the fear started to grip me. I had terrible stage fright with a pounding heart and adrenalin surging through my body. I'd be in the wings thinking, 'How do I get on stage? Why am I doing this?' I love it now but it was interesting navigating that fear, still going on and getting lost in the performance."

Asked if she has read any of the reviews, she says, "Generally I don't read them as I am very sensitive but I know the general consensus is good and I am very grateful for them in helping to sell tickets to this extraordinary play. I am very proud of it and I want people to be able to see it." Reminded that one reviewer of The Blue Room - the last play she did in London - described her as 'Theatrical Viagra' she admits she had no idea what it meant at the time, "I'd never heard of Viagra then."

Nigella Lawson, talking about her new book and BBC Two series Simply Nigella, which she describes as, "Gentle stove-side pottering," and asked if it is good to be back, says, "It takes some time to do but it is lovely to do it."

Revealing not everything goes to plan in the kitchen she says, "I have set fire to so many things. A cameraman once had to put a fire out with his foot while continuing to film."

Gabrielle Aplin performs Sweet Nothing live in the studio before joining Graham for a chat. Asked about the success of her John Lewis Christmas campaign song, she says, "I did it because I am a fan of those ads and because it was great reaching a whole new audience."