As 2025 draws to a close, Nikki Bedi talks to writer Zadie Smith in a speacial interview about one of the big literary moments of the year: the publication of her new essay collection, Dead and Alive. The author of White Teeth, On Beauty and The Fraud reflects on what it means to be a muse, the idea of an "Art Monster" and how she grew up watching nine hours of television a day.

Also on the show we hear about Margaret Atwood's early memories of reading George Orwell, and from two men of the moment - Josh O'Connor and Paul Mescal - about starring as two music-collecting lovers in The History of Sound.

Australian star Toni Collette reveals what it was like working with Kate Winslet on her directorial debut, the festive tear-jerker Goodbye June; and Kenyan-British director Gurinder Chadha recalls how a trip to India inspired her novel Bollywood take on Jane Austen, Bride and Prejudice.

Plus critic Rhianna Dhillon gives her thoughts on the film highlight of the year, and what to look forward to next.

Producer: Ciaran Bermingham