Radio 1's Screen Time

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.

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?

Friends of the podcast Clarisse Loughrey (The Independent's chief film

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...

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.