In the second episode of her new podcast series, The Filling, Anna Barnett visits award winning actor, Russell Tovey, in his warehouse flat to learn about lateral living, how Elton John signs off his text messages, his passion and commitment to art and design, as well as his pescatarianism.

Russell also shares with Anna his motivation for acting, including some of his favourite roles, and his ambition for the future. Three questions remain; is that an alien penis in one of the artworks on his walls? What will Anna’s homemade sandwich be? And is Champagne in lockdown too much of a celebration?

TOP QUOTES
“I bleached my beard this morning.” Anna
“I’d quite like you to just come over and show me how to use my kitchen.” Russell
“Brrrr….beurrrrr….beeeee” (whale impersonation). Russell
“Real life has to be as important to you as acting life.” Russell
“We nearly bumped Elton for Anna.” Russell
“Culture is what it is to be alive; it’s the human condition.” Russell
“To double butter or not when eating peanut butter?” Russell & Anna

RESOURCES
Pierre Jeanneret: Instagram: @pierre_jeanneret_studio
Jamian Juliano-Villani: Instagram: @psychojonkanoo
Caroline Coon: www.carolinecoon.com
Talk Art: Instagram: @talkart
The River Café: www.rivercafe.co.uk
Linda McCartney Foods: www.lindamccartneyfoods.co.uk

ABOUT THE GUEST
Russell Tovey is a British actor known for stage, TV, and film work. Born in 1981 in Essex, Russell displayed an early interest in acting and secured professional work from the age of 11. He successfully transitioned from child to adult actor, skilfully blending theatre work and screen roles including The History Boys, Being Human, and Years and Years. His keen interest in art and design prompted Russel to launch a podcast – Talk Art – with friend Robert Diament to much acclaim.

ABOUT THE HOST
Anna Barnett (www.annabarnettcooks.com) is a chef and food writer. She moved to London to work in TV and enjoyed a career at both MTV and Channel 4 before moving into fashion. Life has always been experienced through the lens of good food, however, and she released her debut cookery book ‘Eat the Week’ in 2015, after which she spent several years writing ‘The Reluctant Vegetarian’ blog for the Independent newspaper whilst also contributing to Vogue magazine. She went on to write the food pages for Grazia magazine; she now has a weekly column writing for The Evening Standard online. In 2019 Anna wrote and styled ‘How to be Gluten Free and Not Lose Friends’, her second cookery book. Anna regularly hosts pop-up restaurants, collaborates with brands, caters private events as well as hosting cookery classes at her home in east London.