Sally Field reminisces about Mrs Doubtfire, Bill Pullman believes Meg Ryan chose the wrong guy in Sleepless in

Seattle, Keeley Hawes says her BAFTA nominations were a surprise, Matt Lucas reveals that people think he and Rebel Wilson are one and the same person, and The

Lumineers perform live in the studio

On tonight's show (5th April), Graham welcomes Academy Award-winner Sally Field, Hollywood star Bill Pullman, British actors Keeley Hawes and Matt Lucas and American folk rock band, The Lumineers.

Sally, talking about appearing on the London stage for the first time in All My Sons, she says, “The Old Vic was part of the attraction. Most of my career has been in the TV and motion picture industry in Los Angeles and I always had this romantic image of all those fabulous legendary British actors that came out of the theatre. In this part of my life I get to explore all those things I didn’t when I was young.”

Reminiscing about Mrs Doubtfire, which was made 25 years ago, she says, “It was insane and a lot of fun keeping up with Robin (Williams) and playing his straight man. We would do one, two or maybe three takes and the rest of the time Robin just did his own thing. He would spend ages playing around with different things, but ultimately we came back to the original takes.”

Bill, who stars alongside her in All My Sons, recalls hearing about The Old Vic for the first time, “I remember watching Anthony Hopkins being interviewed about his demonic character in Silence of the Lambs and when asked what the closest he had ever been to hell, he said, ‘Playing the Old Vic matinee on a rainy afternoon.’ I still wanted to try it!”

Talking about always playing ‘the other guy’ in his early romantic comedies, he says, “There was a long period where I just didn’t get the girl. Over the last couple of years people have looked again at my character in Sleepless in Seattle people and begun to think that Meg Ryan made a mistake and it shouldn’t have been Tom Hanks, but Walter. I had to agree!”

Keeley, talking about the success of Bodyguard and her three recent BAFTA nominations, she says, “It is so nice and such a surprise. It’s so flattering and really lovely.”

On having so much attention currently, she says, “When you’re 43 it’s a bit weird - you’ve in in the business for so long and suddenly you’re ‘hot’. It’s an interesting thing.”

Talking about her inspiration for her role of Home Secretary, she says, “I watched Amber Rudd a lot for research. I actually bumped into her in a restaurant and she told me she really enjoyed the show. She did ask me if I was really dead!”

Asked about her new BBC series Summer of Rockets, and giving very little away, she says, “It’s very tricky to talk about it because everyone has a secret.”

Matt, talking about living in Los Angeles, says, “People recognise me there because of Doctor Who but also for Bridesmaids, but they think I am Rebel Wilson! It’s a bit weird, but they do, or they think we are brother and sister, husband and wife, the same person, or all three!”

On returning to Les Misérables in concert performances, he says, “It is my dream job. Usually I wouldn’t go back to something again, but I just love this show. It’s a nice show and a nice bunch of people so it’s nice to go back and rejoin the family.” In a TV exclusive, The Lumineers perform Gloria live in the studio, before joining Graham for a chat about their upcoming album and tour.

And finally, Graham pulls the lever on more foolhardy audience members brave enough to sit in the Big Red Chair.

The Graham Norton Show, BBC One, Friday 5th April 10.35pm.

Pictures are available from Press Association.

Notes to editors – All quotes in this release were said during the recording of the show but won’t necessarily appear in the final version.

Next week (12th April) Graham's guests include Chris Hemsworth, Paul Rudd, Julianne Moore, Kit Harrington, Emilia Clarke and Tom Walker

For further information please contact Mary Collins 07769 670516 or at mary@marycollins-pr.com 

5th April 2019