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

The Graham Norton Show

  • TV chat show
  • BBC One / BBC Two
  • 2007 - 2024
  • 514 episodes (32 series)

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

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Series 31, Episode 11 - Imelda Staunton, Ncuti Gatwa, Jamie Dornan, Jack Lowden, Gregory Porter

Imelda Staunton says she was inconsolable when The Queen died, Jamie Dornan talks about doing his own stunts, Jack Lowden reveals an unlikely passion, Ncuti Gatwa says the Whovians have found him, and Gregory Porter performs live in the studio.

Further details

Imelda Staunton, talking about playing Queen Elizabeth in the final episodes of The Crown, says, "Everyone knows this version of her, so it felt very present, and I felt a bit more pressure. In this final six episodes there are particular issues that she faced at this point in her reign, which dramatically is interesting to play - Margaret has gone, The Queen Mother, and we have Charles and Camilla."

Talking more about the production, and asked about her version of The Queen's address to the nation on the eve of Diana's funeral, she says, "I was listening to it every moment of every day for I don't know how long. When we came to do it, I didn't talk to anyone because it was a very serious moment and a serious time, and I thought I would try and recreate that. It was very still on set, and I got lost in the moment."

Asked if she was filming when The Queen died, she says, "Lesley Manville and I were filming and were told there might be some sad news and were asked if we wanted to carry on. We carried on and finished the day. Weirdly in the schedule I had 10 days off which was the 10 days of mourning. I was inconsolable that night. Obviously, I would have been sad, but I think it was fuelled by living with her for so long. I think when I went back to work people found it hard looking at me."

Jamie Dornan, talking about the new series of amnesia thriller The Tourist, says, "There wasn't meant to be a second series. It was sold to me as a one off but then a lot of people watched it. I took a bit of convincing and the only way I agreed to do it was not to film in Australia again. Five months there with the family was a lot to do again so I said that if there was a world where we could make it make sense in Ireland then I would do it. The first series was in the Australian outback, so the show has a different landscape and a different feel."

Asked about all the stunts he did, he says, "I was knackered. For the first two weeks I was just running - I was wrecked."

Jack Lowden interjects, "There was a lot of chasing in Slow Horses - I ran a lot. In fact, it felt like I existed from one run to the next and everything in the middle was filler!"

Talking about the hit spy drama, and asked about doing his own stunts, Jack says, "I love the fight scenes. Being an actor is not a hard thing compared to what others do and I hate going home having done nothing. Being beaten up feels like I have done something manly!" Adding, "In one scene my character jumps off a landing and hurts his ankle. For some reason no one could ever remember which foot it was, so I switched from scene to scene and by the end I was vaguely limping on both sides."

Revealing a rather niche passion, he says, "I love service stations - they play a big part in my life. I know it is geeky, but I have always been fascinated by them. They are not the destination, so you get to see people in this wonderful moment of rest and respite and transition. I always drive myself to filming and love the time to myself and stop at my favourite stations. People, particularly men, seem to love them."

Ncuti Gatwa, talking about being the new Doctor Who, says, "This is the first time The Doctor is bi-generation and has split in two. It was useful that David [Tennant] didn't die and that he was around because I could copy him."

Asked about the action scenes, he says, "I like physical theatre and got to do a lot. I am a very energetic doctor. I was showing off on the first day, with lots of acrobatics but they all got cut out!"

Talking about the Whovians, he says, "They've found me. They are a very dedicated and passionate fan base!"

Asked if he will be watching his first show on Christmas Day, he says, "I will but it is nerve wracking and I know my dad will give me notes!"

Gregory Porter performs Christmas Wish live in the studio before joining Graham for a chat.

Asked about his first Christmas album, he says, "I always thought my voice was right for one and wanted to do one very early on in my career, but I was told no. Now the time is right."

Talking about the inspiration for Christmas Wish, he says, "My mother would cook Christmas dinner and then she would make us eight children load it up and give it away to the homeless on the streets. We would then have the leftovers. That's who she was."

Broadcast details

Date
Friday 15th December 2023
Time
10:40pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
50 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Graham Norton Host / Presenter
Guest cast
Jamie Dornan Guest
Gregory Porter Guest
Imelda Staunton Guest
Jack Lowden Guest
Ncuti Gatwa Guest
Writing team
Rob Colley Writer
Production team
Toby Baker Director
Jon Magnusson Series Producer
Pete Snell Producer
Graham Stuart Executive Producer
Catherine Strauss Line Producer
Perry Widdowson Editor
Chris Webster Production Designer
Mandy Furlonger Make-up Designer
Chris Rigby Lighting Designer
Jonathan Whitehead (as Trellis) Composer
Kerry Hussain Graphics

Videos

Jamie Dornan made out with a horse

Jamie Dornan is always full of surprises!

Featuring: Graham Norton & Jamie Dornan.

Imelda Staunton talks about the Queen

Imelda Staunton talks about learning about Queen Elizabeth's passing while filming The Crown.

Featuring: Graham Norton & Imelda Staunton.

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