Backstage - TV & Film

Sky News’ Yalda Hakim and NBC’s Richard Engel have covered world events for years. Now, they team up for a new podcast to share their experiences from the frontline.    

They debrief from global flashpoints and discuss their encounters with the biggest decision makers. They’ll also be joined by some of those key players to help make sense of world events.  

From conflict in the Middle East, to the US election, and the war in Ukraine there is no better place for analysis and expertise.

New episodes from Richard and Yalda every Wednesday, starting October 9th.

Today, something different – we're bringing you the trailer of an exciting new podcast from Sky called Electoral Dysfunction.

Beth Rigby. Jess Philips. Ruth Davidson.

With polls suggesting trust in politicians is low, three political powerhouses unite to unravel the spin and explain what’s really going on in Westminster and beyond.

Every week, they will examine our political leaders and their policies – how they’re written, and how they’re sold to voters – as we prepare for a general election. 

With so much at stake, they will work out which politicians are coming out on top and who is having an Electoral Dysfunction – and what it all actually means for you.

Here's the trailer. For more, follow Electoral Dysfunction now wherever you listen to podcasts.

On the Backstage end of year special, the team looks at the best TV series and films released over the past 12 months - from Barbenheimer to Succession.

Adam Driver, Penelope Cruz and Shaleine Woodley chat about new film Ferrari.

Sofia Coppola and Cailee Spaeny speak about meeting Priscilla Presley for their film Priscilla.

Game Of Thrones star Iwan Rheon tells us about Men Up - his new film about the medical trials for what would become Viagra.

Plus, Jamie Dornan talks to us about series two of The Tourist - and his top films of the year.

Hosts: Claire Gregory, Katie Spencer and Stevie Wong
Producer: Debbie Ridgard
Video director: James Whicher
Podcast editor: Paul Stanworth

Are you ready for a new film franchise?

After the idea was turned down by Star Wars, Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child Of Fire is out in cinemas.

Zack Snyder and one of the stars of the film Staz Nair tells us about creating the new sci-fi universe and creating fully-formed new languages for its characters.

The Golden Globes nominations have been announced for its 2024 ceremony with Barbie leading the way. Da'Vine Joy Randolph, who is nominated for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture, chats about the awards buzz the film is receiving.

Plus, the team take a look at the second series of Prime Video’s Reacher, Percy Jackson and the Olympians series on Disney Plus and series two of Vigil on BBC.

Hosts: Claire Gregory, Bethany Minelle and Stevie Wong
Producer: Debbie Ridgard
Video Director: Adam Noble
Video Editor: Dave Colley
Podcast Editor: Paul Stanworth

Actress Julia Roberts speaks about her new film Leave The World Behind and how she would survive an apocalyptic scenario.

From the premiere of Maestro, director and actor Bradley Cooper responds to the initial online reactions to the film's trailer.

Plus, director Todd Haynes chats about his film May December starring Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore and Charles Melton.

Producer: Debbie Ridgard
Video director: Malachi Bernard
Video editor: Dave Colley
Podcast editor: Paul Stanworth

It's the film Timothee Chalamet fans have been waiting for - Wonka has had its world premiere in London.

Following in the footsteps of Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp, we hear from the actor about taking on the iconic role of Willy Wonka.

Oscar and Grammy award-winner Jon Batiste speaks to us about Netflix documentary American Symphony, which features him and his wife Suleika Jaouad.

Director Richard Curtis, the man behind Notting Hill and Love Actually, tells us about his new Sky Cinema film Genie, starring Melissa McCarthy And Paapa Essiedu.

Plus we take a look at the new Eddie Murphy and Tracy Ellis-Ross Christmas film on Prime Video - Candy Cane Lane.

Hosts: Claire Gregory, Bethany Minelle and Stevie Wong
Producer: Debbie Ridgard
Podcast Editor: Paul Stanworth
Video Director: Neil Hunter
Video Editor: Dave Colley

Ridley Scott's latest theatrical release, Napoleon, is in cinemas this week.

The director tells us about his "bum-ache factor" when it comes to film runtimes, Joaquin Phoenix's use of an American accent when portraying the once Emperor of France and gives us an update about filming the new Gladiator film starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington.

It's a big week for Doctor Who fans as the BBC premieres the first of the series' specials - starring former doctor David Tennant. We get a sneak peak of the show (no spoilers!) and hear what David Tennant and Jodie Whittaker have to say about the 60th anniversary special episodes.

Jodie Whittaker also tells us about her new Paramount Plus series, One Night and her decision to take on tough acting roles.

Plus, Hannah Waddingham tells us about her Apple TV+ special, Hannah Waddingham: Home For Christmas, we hear from the stars of Channel 4's new series The Couple Next Door and the team chat about new Netflix reality TV series Squid Game: The Challenge.

Hosts: Claire Gregory, Katie Spencer and Stevie Wong
Producer: Debbie Ridgard
Video director: Kevin Donaldson
Podcast Editor: Paul Stanworth
Video Editor: Dave Colley

On this week’s Backstage podcast, director Emerald Fennell chats to us about her film Saltburn - starring Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E Grant and Carey Mulligan.

The team takes a look at the final season of The Crown on Netflix and this year's line-up for ITV's I'm A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here.

Jason Isaacs and Laura Aikman speak about new ITVX drama series about Cary Grant called Archie.

Paapa Essiedu and Caroline Quentin discuss the second series of Sky Max's The Lazarus Project.

And the team reviews Disney+'s new limited series A Murder At The End Of The World.

Hosts: Claire Gregory, Bethany Minelle and Jayson Mansaray
Producer: Debbie Ridgard
Video director: Amy Black
Editor: Dave Colley
Podcast Editor: Paul Stanworth

US actors' union SAG-AFTRA has agreed a "tentative deal" with Hollywood studio bosses - bringing a 118-day strike to an end.

On this week's Backstage podcast, we hear from the union’s chief negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.

Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Hunter Schafer and Francis Lawrence speak to us at the UK premiere of The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes.

Plus, the team talk about new Netflix docuseries Robbie Williams, the second season of Australian series The Newsreader on BBC and Prime Video's Bond-themed series 007: Road To A Million starring Brian Cox.

Hosts: Katie Spencer, Claire Gregory and Thomas Crosse
Producer: Debbie Ridgard
Podcast Editor: Wendy Parker
Video Director: Amy Cotterell
Video Editor: Dave Colley

On this week’s Backstage we hear from Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi about her new Netflix film Nyad. We also talk to Bonnie Stoll, who is played by Jodie Foster in the film.

Director Christos Nikou chats about his inspiration behind Fingernails - the new Apple TV+ film starring Jessie Buckley, Jeremy Allen White, Riz Ahmed, Annie Murphy and Luke Wilson.

Plus, making her feature directorial debut, Molly Manning Walker tells us about her new film How To Have Sex.

Hosts: Katie Spencer, Bethany Minelle and Jayson Mansaray
Producer: Debbie Ridgard
Video director: David Gilman
Video Editor: Dave Colley
Podcast Editor: Wendy Parker