By Karen Price
Copyright walesonline
Television icon Graham Norton makes his BBC comeback on Friday, September 26 with a fresh series of his renowned late-night chat show – and viewers can anticipate the usual parade of A-list guests. Following its summer hiatus, the programme will welcome some of the globe’s biggest stars to the iconic red sofa over the coming weeks, including pop sensation Taylor Swift . The recently-engaged superstar will sit down with Graham during the second instalment on Friday, October 3 to discuss her latest album The Life Of A Showgirl. Taylor, whose last visit to the show was in 2022, will share the sofa with Cillian Murphy, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith, Domhnall Gleeson, and Lewis Capaldi. Who’s appearing in the first episode? The opening show (September 26) sees Graham welcome Hollywood heavyweights Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, Academy Award-winning performer and screenwriter Matthew McConaughey, distinguished British thespian James Norton, and recording artist RAYE, reports Belfast Live . Dwayne and Emily discuss their biographical sports drama The Smashing Machine. Speaking about portraying wrestler Mark Kerr, Dwayne reveals: “He had an unbelievable life and to play him is the role of a lifetime. I didn’t know the role was for me, or whether I could do it, but I had the opportunity and this little voice in me telling me to do it. For once I wasn’t chasing the box office and it has changed my life.” Emily, discussing her portrayal of Dawn, Kerr’s wife, reveals: “She was heartbreaking and fierce. They had a complicated relationship with brokenness and vulnerability, and I hope the movie is healing for them.” When questioned about collaborating with her mate, she explains: “Dwayne is the antithesis of the Rock persona everyone imagines – he is quiet, shy, gentle, and curious, and has a reservoir of untapped stuff – if you want to be fed by an experience, this role is like the Sunday roast of a performance.” Speaking about the forthcoming second chapter of The Devil Wears Prada, Emily remarks: “People are so excited about it, it’s incredibly sweet. We thought the first one was funny, but it had this meteoric rise which was amazing, and it is fun to come back to.” When asked about his latest thriller The Lost Bus, Matthew explains: “It is based on a true story of a father and son’s survival. It is also a horror movie with the fire bearing down on you like Jaws. Personally, my character’s choices have taught me never to be tardy with my children.” James, talking about Steven Knight’s new period drama House of Guinness, describes it as “a smoky, sexy, and irreverent romp”. He says, “I loved playing Sean Rafferty – he is a bad-ass. It was delicious being him.” RAYE delivers her latest single Where is My Husband live in the studio before sitting down with Graham to discuss her forthcoming album and tour. The Graham Norton Show is on BBC One on Friday, September 26 at 10.40pm
