On this week’s show (3rd October) Graham welcomes global music megastar Taylor Swift, Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy, actors Greta Lee and Jodie Turner Smith, Irish star Domhnall Gleeson, and Scottish singer songwriter Lewis Capaldi.
Taylor, congratulated on her recent engagement, and showing off her engagement ring, says of her fiancé Travis Kelce’s proposal, “He really crushed it in surprising me. While we were talking on his podcast, he had a complete garden built out the back of his house to propose in. He went all out – 10 out of 10.”
Asked when the wedding is happening, she says, “You’ll know,” adding, “I want to do the album stuff first, and the wedding is what happens after in terms of planning. I think it will be fun to plan.”
Talking more about her hotly-anticipated new album The Life of a Showgirl, Taylor says, “Last year on the tour I was physically exhausted – sick and worn down – so to spark me up I had the album as a secret passion project behind the scenes. It stopped me hitting a wall.”
Asked if all the songs are inspired by her life, she says, “I am open about things but in recent years I have a different perspective and like storytelling at a little bit of a distance, so it isn’t like doing a complete autopsy of myself.”
Reminded that she once said she only wrote songs she can easily sing, she says, “I think my wheelhouse is bigger now. I feel I can do anything now while running in heels. I am confident to write higher choruses, jump an octave, and do falsetto stuff. I have more confidence after the tour.”
Asked about specific songs on the album, she says, “My dad is very excited about Opalite, and it is Travis’s favourite. Growing opals in a lab is an interesting metaphor for making your own happiness; to rise above the trials and tribulations and be happy you did things on your terms.”
Talking about how she now owning her own material, Taylor says, “A lifelong dream came true. I was able to buy my entire back catalogue. I don’t respond to stuff generally but not owning it really pissed me off. I didn’t think I should be given it – I was happy to pay and at a premium. I am glad I spoke publicly about it and my fans got behind it and championed it. I couldn’t believe it happened. Travis and I were in tears when it did. Every time it is mentioned, I get a wave of euphoria still.”
Cillian, talking about playing the head teacher in reform school drama Steve, says, “When I read the proof of the book Shy, I thought it beautiful and compassionate, but didn’t think it would work as a film. But it does and is a love letter to teachers and social workers.”
Asked about Peaky Blinders, he says, “The movie is finished and out next year, and we have just announced a new TV series, which jumps the story on to 1953.”
Greta and Jodie chat about their sci-fi reboot Tron: Ares.
Asked if she had to get into shape for the film, Greta says, “I had to run a lot in this movie – when you read a script and it says ‘run for your life’ you must get fit. We trained with the man that trains all the actors called Chris and I had abs for the first time ever. What was upsetting is that none of the costumes showed them off!”
Jodie, talking about her own costume, says, “It wasn’t just a body suit, everything was practical. It was like armour and so heavy it took three people to get me dressed. It was insane.”
Domhnall, talking about his new comedy role in The Office spin-off The Paper, says, “As an actor you spend your life being told not to look down the lens but, in this show, you have to. I was told off for not doing it enough.”
Asked if he enjoys being in LA, he says, “It is really cool and, as it has been recommissioned, I’m really happy to go back for another season.”
Lewis performs Something In The Heavens live in the studio before joining Graham for a chat.
Asked about returning to singing he says, “It is good to be back. This job is hard and writing songs is tough – I love singing in front of people. There was a lot of goodwill towards me at Glastonbury. It was the best day of my life, it was amazing, and I was so happy to be there.”
And finally, Graham pulls the lever on more foolhardy audience members brave enough sit in the world-famous Big Red Chair to tell their funniest stories.
The Graham Norton Show, BBC One and iPlayer, Friday 3rd October 10.40pm.
Next week (10th October) Graham’s guests include Julia Roberts, Colin Farrell, Gloria Estefan, Benedict Cumberbatch and Robbie Williams
Picture: BBC/So Television/The Graham Norton Show/Christopher Baines
