The Arts Hour

Nikki Bedi’s interview guest, Kanan Gill, is one of the biggest comedians to come out of India. He talks about his global tour with the show, Not This Again, and critic Bidisha joins them in conversation about other cultural highlights of the week
Director Ridley Scott on his dystopian western film, The Dog Stars
French pianist sisters, Katia and Marielle Labèque, on 55 years of performing together
TS Eliot prize winning poet, Anthony Joseph, shares his memories of growing up in Trinidad
Guyanese-British actor Letitia Wright, who plays Shuri in the Marvel Universe movies, discusses returning to the stage
And the American opera star Angel Blue talks about preparing to perform in the Proms, at London’s Royal Albert Hall
(Image: Kanan Gill on stage in Edinburgh 2026. Credit Jenny Forward-Hayter.)

Nikki Bedi speaks to the Oscar winning documentary maker Orlando von Einsiedel about his latest film, The Cycle of Love and discusses this week's cultural highlights with critic Arifa Akbar:
Australian star of the excellent medical drama The Pitt, Shabana Azeez on the importance of lunch
American author Ruth Ozeki on her early career as a filmmaker
Tony and Emmy award winning actor Stockard Channing on choosing a Samuel Beckett play for her directorial theatre debut
And we hear from the legendary South African singers Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Photo Credit: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

British actor James Norton, on joining the cast of the hugely popular Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon
Global girl group KATSEYE, born from the TV reality show Dream Academy on the pressure of coping with judgement on social media
Afrobeat legend Dele Sosimi on unearthing rare African recordings for a new compilation
Grammy-award winning singer and actor Charli XCX on her new album
Nikki Bedi meets Booker Prize longlisted Mexican American author Chloe Aridjis to discuss her latest novel, The Shadow of the Object
American star of stage and screen Neil Patrick Harris on his latest film role in Sunny Dancer ... set in a summer camp for teenagers with cancer
Swedish pop royalty Robyn on Sexistential, her new album
Nikki is joined by cultural critic, cineaste and opinion maker Hanna Flint to reflect on this week's cultural highlights
Photo Credit: Daniele Venturelli/WireImage

Nikki Bedi meets Preeti and Kranti - two members of India’s first all-female hip hop collective, Wild Wild Women - to talk about their extraordinary journeys thus far
Plus critic Alexandra Steinacker-Clark joins to give her take on the cultural talking points of the week:
We hear from Ru Paul from smash TV series Drag Race about his new comedy caper movie STOP! THAT! TRAIN!
Luxembourgish German actor Vicky Krieps on the unique way that she shakes off her characters when she finishes a role
The American composer Missy Mazzoli on what inspired her highly-acclaimed opioid crisis opera, The Galloping Cure
Patrick Brammall and Harriet Dyer, real life couple and co-creators of the hit Australian series Colin from Accounts on how they work together
Cuban ballet star Carlos Acosta on the moment he knew that dance was his destiny
And West African “digital voodoo” music from the feminist band Nana Benz du Togo
Producer: Ciaran Bermingham

British actor Samantha Morton on playing Circe in Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster film, The Odyssey.
Nikki Bedi meets US comedy star Jay Jurden to talk about his stand-up show Jay Jurden Takes London.
American screen star Helen Hunt on tackling Chekhov’s play, The Cherry Orchard.
The French director Alain Gomis on deconstructing cinema.
The legendary and double Oscar-winning cinematographer Roger Deakins on working with the Coen brothers.
Nigerian British comedian and actor Ayoade Bamgboye on the UK version of Saturday Night Live.
Plus, we hear from Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo.
Nikki Bedi is joined by Karen Krizanovich to reflect on this week's cultural highlights.
(Photo: Actor Samantha Morton. Credit: Christopher Polk)
Presenter: Nikki Bedi
Producer: Ciaran Bermingham