Radio 1's Screen Time

This podcast, BBC Radio 1's Screen Time, is taking a break to recalibrate, retune and come back stronger. But don't worry, we're going out with a bang as Michael Fassbender stops by to talk about his new Steven Soderbergh spy thriller 'Black Bag'. As well as his love of The Big Lebowski, his racing career and auditions that didn't quite go to plan. We've left the best 'til last!

Star of Bong Joon-ho's latest, Mickey 17, Naomi Ackie is in conversation with Ali. They cover loads: her career so far, including Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker (& some memorobilia she may have been given!), also the Whitney Houston biopic I Want To Dance With Somebody and more. Also, stick around until the very end for some big news from our Ali!

We're dipping into the back catalogue for this episode of Screen Time, and we time travel back to 2023 to hear Florence Pugh talk to our Ali about her career so far whilst she was in town talking about her (then) latest film, 'A Good Person'. Since then she's been in 'Oppenheimer' and - if you listen to this interview - was up for being in Paddington 3. But then in the end, wasn't.

Ted Lasso veteran and star of the new series of 'Surface', Phil Dunster, joins Ali for a chat about all sorts of happy nonsense this week. Including Reading's best bits (the place, not the thing you do with words). There's also chat about YouTube rabbit holes and the times people have accidentally called Phil “Jamie Tartt” and not, you know, his actual name. There's also some genuinely grown-up conversation about his career in there too. Anyroad, he's perfectly charming, as you'll find out by listening to this episode!

Ali talks to the cast of Captain America: Brave New World! So find out what Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford & Danny Ramirez have to say for themselves!

It's awards season, so here are some awardsy conversations with awards-worthy people! That's Adrien Brody on 'The Brutalist' in the first half, and then Sean Baker and Mikey Madison on 'Anora'. 'The Brutalist' is, at long last - with emphasis on the word "long" - in cinemas here in the UK, while 'Anora' is available on digital download (the film first came out in November last year). Both are likely to win a fair few awards at the BAFTAs and the Oscars! So if you wanna feel like you're in the loop of award-worthy films, you've come to the right podcast!

Wicked has been, it's fair to say, a bit of a hit. Filling up cinemas up and down the country (and across the globe), it's undeniably a very big deal - and now it's getting BAFTA and Oscar nominations even whilst it's still in theatres, including one for Ariana Grande, Glinda herself. The very same Ariana Grande was kind enough to stop by BBC Radio 1 HQ recently for an in-depth discussion of her character and favourite moments from the film with our Ali. So as you may have guessed, if you've not seen the film yet… you may want to watch it before you press play on this one!

Just in the nick of time - as January finally decides to pack up its things and go home - friends of the podcast Clarisse Loughrey (of The Independent's Chief Film Critic Fame) and Ian Sandwell (Digital Spy's Movie Expert) stop by once again to talk to Ali about those motion picture films you've been hearing so much about. Things start with a review of films worth checking out that first arrived in 2024, then they look forward to the future to let you guys know what's worth circling on your calendars, release date-wise. Apologies in advance, of course, if any film releases change their dates at the last minute (we're looking at you, Mickey 17).

Friend of the show and TV expert Scott Bryan stops by for his annual "review of the year before, preview of the year to come" special, touching on loads of shows worth watching (or rewatching) in the near future. Then, as a bonus of bonuses, Timothée Chalamet and Edward Norton appear to talk about their new Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown, which just so happens to have earned six BAFTA nominations this week - including one for both TC and EN, but of course...

Colman Domingo is an incredible actor and his new film, Sing Sing, is incredible in of itself, telling as it does the real-life story of the thatre group in New York's Sing Sing Correctional Facility, incorporating real-life people who went through what you see on screen, acting as versions of themselves. It's a special film and if it's passed you by, this interview will make you very curious to watch it indeed, we think...

Star of Spaced, the Cornetto Trilogy, Paul, Tintin, Cuban Fury, the upcoming How To Train Your Dragon live action remake and now his own new horror comedy called Get Away (which he just so happened to write) Nick Frost is one of those human beings who likes to keep himself busy, whether it's in films or TV or writing books or cooking up a storm in his kitchen. Here as a little New Year treat, he talks to our Ali about all that and more in a rambling conversation best suited for an idle wintery walk or a lengthy bit of Masterchef-worthy food prep. Or, well, anything else you fancy to be honest.

Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Lighthouse, The Northman) is finally releasing his take on Nosferatu - you may be aware of the 1922 vampire classic - over 100 years since the original. In doing so, he's gathered together an incredible group of actors, some of which spoke to Ali for this here podcast on advance of its Jan 1st, 2025 release. So… happy nearly new year! (And look out for Count Orlok, just in case)

Today we have a very, very, very special episode of Radio 1's Screen Time for you in honour of the upcoming Wallace And Gromit adventure, Vengeance Most Fowl - set to hit UK TV screens on Christmas day at 6.10pm on BBC One, by the by - in the form of a bumper-edition behind-the-scenes on-set audio documentary all about everyone's favourite stop-motion duo. Heading to Aardman's studios in Bristol to see how the magic is made, Ali has (as you'll hear) the time of his life speaking to the likes of directors Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham, star Ben Whitehead and many of the other incredible people who work so hard to bring the cheese-loving icons of animation to our screens.

Today we have a return visit from a friend of the show, the comedian and actor and voice artiste Ben Schwartz, who just happens to be Sonic in that new motion picture film called Sonic The Hedgehog 3 (out next week, December 21st, fact fans). He's also Jean Ralphio in Parks and Rec, Clyde Oberholt in House Of Lies, Dewey Duck in Ducktales… the list goes on and on. He's also the man behind touring improv super show “Ben Schwartz And Friends” and just so happens to think and speak supersuperfast, so expect an "all over the place" conversation between Ali and Ben - in a good way - as they talk about all sorts, including James Marsden in Jury Duty and what to do when an interview goes very, very wrong...

That foolish human being known as Ali Plumb has managed to injure himself - but that's not stopped him from getting you a podcast for this particular week, oh no no. Stepping up to the plate to help is the wonderful Auliʻi Cravalho, voice of Moana - as well as two of the directors of Moana 2 and its songwriters, Barlow And Bear. Not bad eh? Particularly when you remember this new sequel is break box office records left and right.Safe to say Moana 3 is going to be a thing sooner rather than later (not forgetting that live-action version they're cooking up…)

An accidentally rhyming title for this week's episode of BBC Radio 1's Screen Time as friends of the show Clarisse Loughrey (The Independent's Chief Film Critic) and Ian Sandwell (Head of film at Digital Spy) stop by to give Ali their thoughts on two of the biggest films out right now, namely Wicked and Gladiator 2 - plus a few other bits and pieces as well. Then at the end, as a special bonus extra, the eternally charming Jude Law talks about his role in the new Star Wars TV series Skeleton Crew (out December 3rd, fact fans), carefully dancing around whether his character is a Jedi or not. He's done this press junket dance before, it seems...

Simply put, Thomasin McKenzie is of the best young actresses working today, appearing in the likes of Leave No Trace (one of Ali's favourite dramas of the past decade or so), Last Night In Soho, The Power Of The Dog, Jojo Rabbit, Eileen and now Joy, her latest, now on Netflix. Joy tells the story of the three British fertility pioneers who helped make IVF a reality, namely an obstetrician called Patrick Steptoe (Bill Nighy), a physiologist called Robert Edwards (James Norton) and a nurse / embryologist called Jean Purdy (McKenzie). In this episode of the podcast, Thomasin talks about working within this trio of charming acting types, the importance of highlighting Purdy's achievements and her love of My Neighbour Totor (you'll see).

Today we're talking about Gladiator 2 with - would you believe it - the cast of Gladiator 2, namely Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington, not forgetting relative newcomer Fred Hechinger (Eighth Grade, The White Lotus, The Fear Street series). You'll hear them talk about working with the legend that is Ridley Scott, the joy of being in a swords and sandals epic, the legacy of the first film and what it's like performing with a monkey. Yes, a monkey. One of the emperors has a monkey. Yes, there are two emperors. Just... enjoy.

Friend of the podcast Daisy Ridley stops by BBC Radio 1 towers to talk about her new film, Magpie, which she not only stars in but also produces, alongside her husband Tom Bateman, who also - checks notes - wrote the screenplay. It's a family affair, this one. It's also a neo-noir (as it goes) centring around an unhappily married couple (Ridley and Shazad Latif), their child and an alluring actress. Perhaps it's best if Daisy explains, which she does oh-so-eloquently early on in this episode. As well as Magpie, Ali and Daisy talk all sorts of other nonsense (as it often the way) including The Great British Bake Off and the most eccentric actor she's ever worked with. Let the guessing start... now.

Himesh Patel - star of Yesterday, Tenet and Good Grief - stops by BBC Radio 1 towers to chat with Ali about his new TV show, the behind-the-scenes-of-a-superhero-blockbuster comedy from Armando Iannucci, Sam Mendes and Jon Brown called ‘The Franchise'. Along the way, the pair talk about the new Hugh Grant horror film The Heretic, the pleasures of In The Loop and the joy of doing jigsaws with Richard E. Grant. Seriously.

For this very special episode of BBC Radio 1's Screen Time, Ali got to visit Framestore, the legendary visual effects house where - amongst other things - the preposterously charming Paddington is brought to life. So that bathtub down the stairs scene? The barbershop chicanery? The hair-raising train sequence from the end of Paddington 2? These guys. Speaking to producer Rosie Alison, VFX animation director Pablo Grillo and our new director Dougal Wilson (stepping into the shoes of Paul King, the man behind the first two Paddington films), Ali found out more about how everyone's favourite marmalade-loving bear ends up on our screens, makes us cry and leaves us really hankering for a particular kind of sandwich.

Friends of the podcast Clarisse Loughrey (The Independent's chief film critic) and Mike Muncer (of Evolution Of Horror podcast fame) stop by to talk about three things: Joker: Folie à Deux, The Wild Robot and, um, Smile 2. As you probably worked out from the title of the episode here. Plus, Naomi Scott (the star of Smile 2) also pops up towards the end to talk about the fun and games she enjoyed - sort of - on the set of the eagerly anticipated horror sequel.

Friend of the podcast - and star of the new Sky / Now serial killer darker-than-dark comedy drama Sweetpea - Ella Purnell returns to talk to Ali about playing Rhiannon, a character who often goes overlooked... until she starts taking things into her own hands. Murder-wise. A veteran of Fallout, and Yellowjackets before that (not forgetting Arcane), Ella is in a proper purple patch these days, and is on fine form as she discusses tackling such an interesting, angry, darkly funny character - as well as party games she likes to play with her mates. It's all about balance, eh?

When was the last time you went to your local cinema and watched a big, broad, people pleasing comedy? A Bridesmaids, a 22 Jump Street, A Step Brothers, a... Superbad? Stand-up comic and newfound friend of that there Ali Plumb, Rhys James, stops by the BBC Radio 1 studios to help answer that question as the pair look back on a movie that really delivered the laughs back in the day. That's right, Superbad. Pretty obvious from the title and the earlier mention but probably best to underline the point.

Sophie Turner stops by to talk about her new ITV jewel-thief TV show Joan this week as Ali, bless him, battles a little cough. Poor wee lad. But despite this appalling illness, he struggles on, giving you a fun conversation with the one-time star of Game Of Thrones and the recent run of X-Men movies, ending up talking about the perils of the '80s, putting on an American accent that in a way that the real-life Joan Hannington would approve of, as well as... Below Deck. Because... why not?

The always delightful Aimee Lou Wood returns to Radio 1's Screen Time to talk to Ali about her new BBC comedy Daddy Issues, a show where she stars alongside the legendary David Morrissey as a young mum forced to move in with the one person she never thought she would: her dad. Her dad who just so happens to not really have a clue about, well, anything. At all. Daddy Issues has already been renewed for a second series - bravo Danielle Ward and the whole team! - so whether you've already seen it or this is all new to you, please do enjoy this conversation with Aimee, go on.

Yes, it's September - and not October, to be clear - but somehow it's a good time to talk about the state of horror (trust us), what with Speak No Evil out and James McAvoy stopping by to talk about his pleasingly nasty, socially awkward horror hitting cinemas. So! As well as Mister McAvoy, we also have a "state of the nation" when it comes to the horror genre for you to enjoy. Helping Ali talk about the best scary movies of the past few years, as well as what we have to look forward to in the near future, Mike Muncer (the host of the Evolution Of Horror podcast) came along to Radio 1 towers to spill the spooky beans. Which is not a phrase and yet, well, here we are.

The not so good news: summer is starting the wrap up. You know, with the wind and the rain and the going back to school of it all... but! If you're a film fan, there are many reasons to be cheerful, with the next few months promising some VERY BIG and VERY EXCITING films, including some massive blockbuster sequels in the form of Paddington 3, Gladiator 2 and Joker Folie A Deux (to name but three) as well as indier, artier fare such as Nosferatu and Anora. Joining Ali to hop, skip and jump through just some of the movies worth looking forward to is Letterboxd's very own Ella Kemp, friend of the show and film festival fancier, who has all the info you need on those slightly under-the-radar films worth looking out for.

Friends of the show and fellow film superfans Clarisse Loughrey (of The Independent fame) and Ian Sandwell (of Digital Spy fame) join forces with our Ali once again to tackle some of the biggest - and smallest, to be honest - releases that have come our way over the past few weeks or so. Expect their thoughts on Kneecap, Trap, Alien Romulus, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and plenty more as they hop, skip and jump through the likes of Oscar-worthy fare (Sing Sing) and... not-so-Oscar-worthy fare (Borderlands).

With well over a billion dollars under its belt, it's safe to say that Deadpool And Wolverine has been a big ol' success. It's reinvigorated the Marvel Cinematic Universe, made a lot of people laugh, made a lot of people scream (with delight), made a lot of people rush to the internet to work out all the Easter eggs and references and hat-tips. With just an hour (or so) to chat about the ins and outs of the r-rated odd couple action comedy, Ali and his fellow X-Fan Aoife Wilson do their level best to touch on all the key moments - in extremely spoilerific detail, to be clear - but know in their heart of hearts that they cannot do this film justice. There is just... too... much... stuff. You know, in a good way?

With xenomorphs back in cinemas, Ali and friend of the show Ian Nathan - who just so happens to have written the book / documentary on the subject, no big deal - sit down to discuss just why we love the original two Alien films so much. Plus, as a bonus, director of Alien Romulus (and fellow die hard Alien fan) Fede Álvarez stops by at the end with his thoughts on what makes the franchise's facehuggers, flamethrowers and incredibly creepy eggs such an appealing combination.

As you'll have seen from the very last trailer - and let's be honest, from watching the movie itself - the wonderful Dafne Keen returns as Laura / X-23 in Deadpool And Wolverine, and was more than happy to chat to Ali (in spoilerific detail) about her time on set for this very special interview podcast, talking about working with the legendary Hugh Jackman once again and being unable to get her lines out in front of... well, you'll see. Okay, hear, sure, sure. And just to be absolutely, 100% very clear indeed: please make sure you've seen Deadpool And Wolverine before you listen to this because SPOILERS. Ahem. Apologies for the caps, but they felt necessary.

There's one big film in cinemas right now - okay, two, Twisters is still holding strong, let's give it some respect - but for a lot of us blockbuster botherers, it's all about Deadpool And Wolverine these days, so here we have Ali (and Clarisse and Ian)'s thoughts on Marvel's box office record-breaking return to form. Oh, and with some guy called Robert Downey Jr. somehow coming back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Doom (!!!?!??!?!!!!), that very much gets discussed as well, don't you worry...

Deadpool And Wolverine - undeniably the film of the summer - is finally, at long, long last, in cinemas. Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds have been doing all the press opportunities they can lay their claws / katanas on to drum up interest - and it's safe to say there are more than a few people out there keen to see their motion picture. The trouble is all the spoilers: the twists, turns and surprises inside the movie that Ali (and Hugh, and Ryan, and their director Shawn Levy) can't talk about... but obviously really want to. Here, then, is a spoiler-free interview special all about the film, the characters' legacies and the trick to getting Disney to release an R-rated film (oh my!).

The week before Deadpool And Wolverine hits cinemas, Ali sits down with friend of the show Aoife Wilson - the excellent and much-admired gaming journalist, as well as die-hard X-Men fan - to finally dig into the other big mutant release, X-Men '97. Critically acclaimed and a reminder that these characters have enormous potential on the big screen, the show has been heralded as one of the best things Marvel has made in quite some time: so here we are to discuss just that in SPOILERIFIC details, as well as the rumours the Russos might be returning to the MCU fold and which X-Man's powers would be the toughest to actually live with...

What a collection of films we have for you this week: a critically-adored chiller in the form of Nic Cage's Longlegs (from the mind of Osgood Perkins), the fourth in the Despicable Me series (but the sixth in the franchise) and the return of Axel Foley, only this time... he's on Netflix. Hopping back onto the mic to help Ali tackle all these - and some of the biggest news stories of the week - is friend of the podcast and The Independent's chief film critic, Clarisse Loughrey, who just so happens to be a massive history buff and has many, many thoughts on the Gladiator II trailer for you...

It's July. How is it July? And yet... it is. So now seems like a good time to bring back friend of the podcast - and professional TV critic, as heard on BBC Radio Five Live and elsewhere - Scott Bryan to check in on his favourite TV shows of the year so far. Somehow his list doesn't feature Shogun, which is definitely controversial (and he knows it). Also! As more than a bit of a bonus we have Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Lionel Boyce talking about The Bear as its third series drops in the UK on Disney+ - and Ali does his best not to watch all of it in just one evening / sitting.

You know how it goes - the inevitable sequel to the successful original, eh? Little over a month since their last appearance, friend of the show (and The Independent's chief film critic) Clarisse Loughrey joins forces once again with Digital Spy's Movies Editor Ian Sandwell to review the biggest releases of the past few weeks with good ol' Ali, including A Quiet Place: Day One, Kinds Of Kindness and more. Plus, a look back on Inside Out 2 now that it's the BIGGEST FILM OF THE YEAR in just a few weeks (sorry about that Dune Part Two).

Now that he's seen it, Ali can talk about Inside Out 2 - he's good like that, waiting to see the film before he gives his thoughts on it - as well as this week's big release, The Bikeriders (you know, with Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Tom Hardy and a lot of classic motorbikes). And then there's the cherry on top, some bonus House Of The Dragon chat from the cast of series two, including Matt Smith, Emma D'Arcy, Olivia Cooke and Fabian Frankel.

Comedian, presenter, writer and arts 'n' crafts connoisseur Bec Hill joins Ali this week for a special Ali Plumb's Film Club episode of Radio 1's Screen Time, where the geeky, animation-loving pair chat about the original Pixar classic Inside Out (2015) in advance of its sequel hitting cinemas this weekend. They do their level best not to cry as they talk about Bing Bong, The Numskulls and whether PIxar is actually making movies for adults and not, um, for kids.

June is here, and with it - we are told - the summer. Summer means blockbuster movies, and so Radio 1's Screen Time is here, ready to remind you of what's coming out and when. With The Euros and The Olympics both fighting for your attention this year, there may not be quite as many big movies as you were expecting, but there's still a fair bunch of them, and Ali is here to guide you through the dates in your diary. Plus! Friend of the show and all-round excellent human being Daisy Ridley stops by to chat about her new film, sports biopic Young Woman And The Sea (as well as the fine art of surprising Ali on stage).

A very special spoiler special for you this week - one that relies on you having watched the new Fallout series, what with it being... all about the new Fallout series. What makes it extra special is the reappearance of one of its stars on this here podcast, Ella Purnell herself, who plays Lucy in the show and is casually utterly excellent. She stops by for 15 mins of spoilery chat, then new friend of the show Jane Douglas - broadcaster, gamer, D&Der and Fallout fan - sits down with Ali for a very, very rambly (even by Ali's standards) wander around the spoiler wasteland. Okie dokie? Okie dokie.