Best Chris Rhys And Tom Podcasts (2025)

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Floating In A Tin Can: Astronaut Chris Hadfield’s Message To Earth 58:12

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2d ago58:12

58:12

Chris Hadfield is the astronaut who turned the void of space into his stage. A farm kid from rural Canada who climbed his way into the stratosphere, first as a fighter pilot, then as a test pilot, and eventually as commander of the International Space Station. Hadfield has lived a life that hovers somewhere between science fiction and sheer nerve. …

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Wish You Well (ft. guests Greta Lee & Jodie Turner-Smith; Robert Aramayo; Gillian Anderson) 1:45:37

3d ago1:45:37

1:45:37

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Alex Godfrey display his versatility as an interviewer, going from utter chaos with Tron Ares stars Greta Lee & Jodie Turner-Smith [22:46 - 34:31 approx] and Gillian Anderson [1:33:01 - 1:43:53 approx] to a heartfelt and passionate chat with Robert Aramayo, star of this week's excellent drama, I Swear,…

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The Shameless Plug #8: Wicked Panna Cottas 45:11

4d ago45:11

45:11

In this month's Shameless Plug, the show in which Chris Hewitt sits down with Empire editor Nick de Semlyen to do a deep dive into the latest issue of Empire, Chris Hewitt sits down with Empire editor Nick de Semlyen to do a deep dive into the latest issue of Empire. Which, for the first time in our history, has a musical on the cover, Jon M. Chu's…

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Marlon Wayans, Tyriq Withers, Justin Tipping on Him: An Empire Podcast Interview Special 41:41

7d ago41:41

41:41

Justin Tipping's Him is a Jordan Peele-produced horror film in which a young quarterback discovers the kind of sacrifices it takes to become the GOAT of American Football. That young quarterback is played by Tyriq Withers, who is taken under the wing of a legendary quarterback played by Marlon Wayans, and in this Empire Podcast interview special Ja…

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Matthew McConaughey, America Ferrera & Paul Greengrass On The Lost Bus: An Empire Podcast Interview Special 43:14

7d ago43:14

43:14

Paul Greengrass' The Lost Bus stars Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera as a bus driver and teacher, respectively, who have to navigate a deadly Californian wildfire while stuck on a school bus with a group of terrified children, very little water, and fire and flames closing in on all sides. Based on a true story (the 2018 Camp Fire is one of …

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Vendrak The Vertical, Scáthach, And The Kamino Kid (ft. guests Benny Safdie, Malcolm McDowell, Harris Dickinson) 1:55:38

10d ago1:55:38

1:55:38

This week's Empire Podcast sees us welcome another hat-trick of wonderful guests, as Chris Hewitt has lovely chats with The Smashing Machine writer-director (and Happy Gilmore 2 villain), Benny Safdie, [24:13 - 40:39 approx] and bona fide acting legend, Malcolm McDowell, star of new WWII drama, The Partisan (please excuse the sound quality of Chris…

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Hypothetical Weasel: Penn Jillette and Piff the Magic Dragon 47:50

10d ago47:50

47:50

Penn Jillette is an American magician, author, and performer best known as one half of the magic duo Penn & Teller, a Las Vegas headliner and television personality. He is also an advocate for atheism and scientific skepticism, a former libertarian who disavowed the political stance, and the author of several books, including God, No!. Jillette is …

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The Edge Is A Battenberg (ft. guests Brett Goldstein, Emma Thompson, Paul Thomas Anderson) 1:59:43

17d ago1:59:43

1:59:43

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is one of those jam-packed ones in which we specialise. Guest-wise, Chris Hewitt is blessed with the presence of our old chum, Brett Goldstein, who talks beards, bums, and baring his soul in new romantic drama, All Of You; [18:37 - 36:33 approx] and Chris also has a lovely chat with Emma Thompson as she ent…

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Magic is the Cheese: Doug Naylor and the Clairvoyant Car Key Finder 1:02:56

23d ago1:02:56

1:02:56

Doug Naylor is an Emmy award winning script-writer, novelist and director.He co-created the long running hugely successful sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf, has written or co-written every episode across thirteen series and has directed over twenty episodes. Doug also co-founded Grant Naylor Productions in 1991 which made series IV to X of Red Dwarf. Doug h…

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For The Love Of Bagpuss (ft. guests Sean Penn; Cillian Murphy & Tim Mielants) 1:36:42

24d ago1:36:42

1:36:42

With Chris off on the fairway, taking his first proper holiday in approximately 20 years, its up to Helen O’Hara and James Dyer — the newly appointed Archbishop of Nerdbury — to hold down the fort, ably assisted by Empire news editor and former Pilot TV stalwart Beth Webb. Between the three of them, they do their level best not to refer to Cillian …

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Lazy Code: Entering The Simulation 32:59

28d ago32:59

32:59

In this intro to our new monthly bonus show Lazy Code, Dan welcomes longtime weird-theory believer Leon ‘Buttons’ Kirkbeck and Halina Brooke back and his daughter Halina Brooke. We explain simulation theory, meet the hosts, tease the kinds of glitches and guests to expect (from UFOs to scientific perspectives), and explore what it’s like growing up…

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A Clint In The Eye (ft. guests Sam Riley; Hugh Bonneville & Allen Leech) 1:49:03

1M ago1:49:03

1:49:03

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast might just go ahead, make your day, as Chris Hewitt (having recovered from a colleague-inflicted mischief) invites Helen O'Hara and James Dyer into the podbooth for a discussion of the best films directed by Clint Eastwood. Amazingly, The Rookie is given short shrift. Then, our intrepid trio take a look at …

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The Shameless Plug #7: The Running Mag 41:30

1M ago41:30

41:30

The Shameless Plug — the show in which Chris Hewitt sits down with Empire editor, Nick de Semlyen, to shamelessly plug the new issue of Empire magazine — is back back back, folks, and comes with a lovely slice of Brisket. Not the meat, mind you, but Glen Powell's dog, who somehow wound up on Chris' lap during one of his forays to the set of Edgar W…

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Gleesons Vs Skarsgårds: Dawn Of Clint Howard (ft. guests MJ Bassett; Sean Ellis & Orlando Bloom) 1:49:05

1M ago1:49:05

1:49:05

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast asks perhaps the biggest question ever tackled on this show: who would win in a fight between the Gleesons and the Skarsgårds? Join Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Amon Warmann, as they tackle that scenario and more. Is the world truly ready for the Coppola clan kicking bottom? Elsewhere, our in…

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Yellow Wiggle: Sam Moran and a Quantum Physics Pick up Line 1:11:26

1M ago1:11:26

1:11:26

Sam Moran is an Australian entertainer born on April 4, 1978, in Sydney. He is best known as the Yellow Wiggle in the children's music group The Wiggles, a role he held from 2006 to 2012. Before joining the group full-time, he was an understudy for original member Greg Page and performed over 150 times in his place. Moran studied classical voice an…

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The Life Of Chuck/Charles/Charlie (ft. guests Eva Victor; Olivia Colman & Jay Roach; Sir Ben Kingsley) 1:58:18

1M ago1:58:18

1:58:18

This week's Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt sit down, on Zoom and in person, with a cavalcade of cracking guests. There's Eva Victor, star/writer/director of the excellent Sorry, Baby, who talks about cats, directing themselves, and people who look like yams. [23:05 - 39:05 approx] Then there's Olivia Colman and Jay Roach, star and director of The…

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Café del Weirdo: Dylan Jones and the 100 Kevins ft Buttons 42:39

2M ago42:39

42:39

Dylan Jones OBE (born 1960) is a British journalist, author, and former long-time editor of GQ (1999–2021). He previously held senior roles at i-D, Arena, and The Face, later serving briefly as editor-in-chief of the Evening Standard. Author of books including David Bowie: A Life and his memoir These Foolish Things, he has won multiple editor of th…

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The Life Of Custard (ft. guests Joaquin Phoenix; Tom Hiddleston & Chiwetel Ejiofor; Samara Weaving & Karl Glusman) 1:58:53

2M ago1:58:53

1:58:53

In one of those bumper-sized guest-filled jamborees in which we specialise, this week's Empire Podcast sees John Nugent sit down on Zoom to interview Eddington star, Joaquin Phoenix... or does Joaquin Phoenix interview John Nugent? All will be revealed. [18:52 - 35:59 approx] Elsewhere, Chris Hewitt has a lovely chat about The Life of Chuck with co…

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I see Dead Cats: Rhys James and the Five-Star Monk 1:18:43

2M ago1:18:43

1:18:43

Rhys James is a British stand-up comedian, writer, and podcaster known for his sharp wit, slick delivery, and clever wordplay. Born in 1991, he studied politics and international relations at the University of Manchester before establishing himself on the UK comedy circuit. He has performed multiple acclaimed solo shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fr…

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Kruegersplaining (ft. guests Celine Song, Dave Franco & Alison Brie) 1:42:37

2M ago1:42:37

1:42:37

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast will haunt your nightmares, but in a good way, as Chris Hewitt returns to the host chair, just in time to tackle, with Beth Webb and Amon Warmann, a Mount Rushmore question about the best Final Girls in horror movies. Their final choices may shock you, but that's nothing compared to the bit where Chris expl…

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The Shameless Plug #6: Two Days With James Cameron 42:04

2M ago42:04

42:04

Or 42 minutes with Chris Hewitt and Nick de Semlyen. Which would you prefer? Don't answer that. Anyway, that's what you've got with the latest episode of The Shameless Plug, as Chris and Nick sit down to talk about Nick's extraordinary adventures in New Zealand, shadowing James Cameron for two days as he put the finishing touches to this month's co…

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Alien Earth: An Empire Podcast Special ft. Noah Hawley, Timothy Olyphant & Sydney Chandler 42:21

2M ago42:21

42:21

In space, no-one can hear you pod. Thankfully, we're not on space, we're on Earth, so you will be able to hear this wonderful Empire Podcast special dedicated to Noah Hawley's excellent Alien prequel, Alien Earth, which dropped its first two episodes today on Disney+. Here, you will hear Chris Hewitt sit down with Hawley, the show's creator and sho…

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The Not-So-Difficult Second Movie (ft. guests Guy Pearce and Benedict Wong) 1:45:04

2M ago1:45:04

1:45:04

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Helen O'Hara slip into the host's chair in Chris Hewitt's absence, and use her endless reservoir of patience to corral James Dyer, Alex Godfrey and Ben Travis in a discussion of the best second movies by notable directors (and yes, we know that we didn't mention [INSERT BLINDINGLY OBVIOUS CHOICE HERE])…

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Hey, It's Enrico Pazuzu! (ft. guests Akiva Schaffer and James Gunn) 1:45:49

2M ago1:45:49

1:45:49

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast adds insults to injury, as the team — Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, Alex Godfrey, and Ben Travis — share their favourite movie insults. And, yes, misquote at least one of them horribly. Also, nothing on this earth will prepare you for Alex Godfrey's Pazuzu impression. We can only apologise in advance. Elsewhe…

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Movie News Mews (ft. guests, Matt Shakman and Sam Rockwell) 1:40:40

3M ago1:40:40

1:40:40

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is all kinds of fantastic. Guest-wise, Chris Hewitt sits down (in person, and on Zoom) with Matt Shakman, director of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, to discuss the FF's debut in the MCU [24:33 - 40:07 approx]; and Sam Rockwell, the cool cat who's Mr. Wolf in The Bad Guys 2. [1:07:02 - 1:19:28 approx] Then…

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Egg in a Bag: Joe Kent Walters and the Lincoln Imp 1:00:30

3M ago1:00:30

1:00:30

Joe Kent-Walters is a UK-based comedian, writer, and performer known for his surreal, character-driven comedy. He gained recognition for his outlandish alter ego "Frankie Monroe," a grotesque, washed-up cabaret singer with a twisted charm. A graduate of the University of Leeds, Joe blends clowning, drag, and absurdist theatre into unforgettable liv…

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THE ANTI-CATASTROPHE LEAGUE: Tom Ough and the Quest to Save Humankind 46:52

3M ago46:52

46:52

Tom Ough is a British writer, journalist, and researcher. He is currently a Senior Editor at UnHerd, where he writes about global-scale challenges including climate risk, geoengineering, and existential threats to humanity. He is the author of The Anti‑Catastrophe League, a nonfiction book published in July 2025, which explores the people and ideas…

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Bobby Omelettes And The Dolby Rumbler (ft. guests Alex Cox and Ralph Ineson) 1:43:52

3M ago1:43:52

1:43:52

Do not adjust your speakers, or your headphones. Yes, Ralph Ineson's voice really is that deep and sonorous. And in this week's Empire Podcast, Chris Hewitt sits down with the actor who plays the planet-eating entity, Galactus, in next week's The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and talks about how his voice is his passport. [1:04:38 - 1:20:16 approx] …

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The Shameless Plug #5: Tron Ares, Light-Up Covers, And More 43:45

3M ago43:45

43:45

This month's episode of The Shameless Plug sees Chris Hewitt sit down with Empire editor, Nick de Semlyen, for a deep dive into the latest issue of Empire magazine, which just happens to have a limited edition light-up cover to commemorate our latest cover movie, Tron Ares. Together, our dynamic duo discuss the art of the cover line, their favourit…

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Where's The Cueball Going? (ft. guests, David Corenswet and Joseph Kosinski) 1:32:25

3M ago1:32:25

1:32:25

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is dominated by bald baddies. Namely, a group discussion of the hairless horrors who have been tormenting do-gooders in all kinds of movies throughout the years. But also, our very own James Dyer, whose unexplained absence from the podbooth has Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, and Alex Godfrey speculating wildly…

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The Wooden Necklace: John Niven's Guide to Parenting 46:56

3M ago46:56

46:56

John Niven is a Scottish author and screenwriter known for his darkly comic, satirical novels. Born in Ayrshire in 1966, he studied English Literature at the University of Glasgow before spending a decade in the music industry. This experience inspired his breakout novel, Kill Your Friends (2008), a biting satire of the late-1990s music business. T…

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Are We The Baddies? (ft. guests Mahershala Ali & Rupert Friend, David Cronenberg, Gerard Johnstone) 1:58:21

3M ago1:58:21

1:58:21

This week's Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt sit down for a pre-lunch chat about dinosaurs and sandwiches with Jurassic World Rebirth stars, Mahershala Ali and Rupert Friend, [25:28 - 36:36 approx] while Mike Muncer goes deep with the legendary David Cronenberg, as the Canadian director marks the release of one of his most personal films yet, The S…

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Caught in the Dick Myst: Harriet Dyer and the View From The Afterlife 59:29

3M ago59:29

59:29

Harriet Dyer is a Cornish comedian, writer and mental health advocate known for her quirky, original and offbeat brand of comedy. She has gigged all over the world and is resident MC at ROFL Comedy Club, Sheffield and at the multi award-winning mental health comedy night she founded, ‘Barking Tales’ in Manchester. She recently won the the Channel 4…

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The Empire Podcast: The Movie (with guests Damson Idris, and Ivanna Sakhno) 1:48:08

4M ago1:48:08

1:48:08

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt break out the bleep machine for a particularly sweary chat with M3GAN 2.0 star, the delightful Ivanna Sakhno, [1:10:44 - 1:23:01 approx] and quietly judge the football team of Damson Idris, star of F1. [24:51 - 37:46 approx] Or F1: The Movie, to give it its full marketing moniker, which in…

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Cheryl the Queen and Nikki Druce and the Half Ghost Boy 1:06:23

4M ago1:06:23

1:06:23

Cheryl The Queen and Nikki Druce are two incredible people in their own right. You might know Cheryl from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “UK vs. the World” and generally being hilarious and being ‘The Queen Of Essex’. And you might know Nikki Druce as ‘London’s Spooky Specialist’. Nikki hosts “Macabre London” and is an expert on Haunted History and True …

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Mona Lisa Episode IV: A New Hope (ft. guests Julianne Moore & Michael Pearce, Ralph Fiennes & Jodie Comer) 1:48:56

4M ago1:48:56

1:48:56

It's another packed episode of the Empire Podcast, the show that dares to ask the big questions: isn't the Mona Lisa just a woman sitting down? Who's the richest Northern Irish person? Can you buy stocks in Glen Powell? Join the pod team — Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Amon Warmann — as they tackle those questions, discuss the origina…

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Going Deep With Colin Trevorrow: An Empire Podcast Interview Special 32:55

4M ago32:55

32:55

In our latest Empire Podcast interview special, Chris Hewitt sits down (in a swanky London hotel room) with Colin Trevorrow, the director of Jurassic World and Safety Not Guaranteed, to talk about Trevorrow's latest movie, the Prime Video comedy Deep Cover, which he produced and co-wrote. But that's not all — Trevorrow also talks about his choices …

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The Shameless Plug #4 45:21

4M ago45:21

45:21

The Shameless Plug — the show in which Chris Hewitt and Empire editor Nick de Semlyen sit down and do a deep dive into the contents of the latest issue of Empire — is back, folks, and this one really is fantastic. That's because this month's cover story is The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which inspires Chris and Nick to talk about some of their se…

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Myth Sandwich: James Goss and the Acton Hauntings 58:18

4M ago58:18

58:18

James Goss (born 1974) is an English writer and producer renowned for his extensive work in the Doctor Who and Torchwood universes. Initially part of the BBC, he managed the official Doctor Who website from 2000, expanding its scope before transitioning to TV tie‑in media . He wrote multiple Torchwood novels—Almost Perfect, Risk Assessment, First B…

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Yes, And/Yes, Andor (with guests Jack Lowden, Bryce Dallas Howard, Nick Mohammed & Orlando Bloom) 1:44:41

4M ago1:44:41

1:44:41

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt sit down in person with Deep Cover stars, Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, and Nick Mohammed, to talk about their experiences playing improvisers who go undercover as fake cops;[1:00:00 - 1:15:52 approx] and on Zoom with Tornado and Slow Horses star, Jack Lowden. [26:15 - 39:20 approx] …

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Kyle MacLachlan And Mark Frost On Twin Peaks And David Lynch: An Empire Podcast Interview Special 58:00

4M ago58:00

58:00

Here's a damn fine special episode of the Empire Podcast for you to enjoy. We're in the grip of Twin Peaks fever all over again — the seminal David Lynch/Mark Frost TV show is being celebrated this Sunday (June 15th) at the BFI Southbank in London with a special 35mm print screening of the show's pilot, and if that weren't enough, every single epis…

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Crash Curse: John Green and the Inconvenience of Superstition 55:46

4M ago55:46

55:46

John Green is an American author best known for his young adult novels, including The Fault in Our Stars, Looking for Alaska, and Paper Towns. His work often explores love, loss, and mental health with emotional depth and wit. Green is also a prominent YouTuber, co-creating the educational channel Crash Course and the Vlogbrothers with his brother …

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An Award-Losing Podcast (with guests Jai Courtney, Ian McShane, Dean DeBlois) 1:57:01

4M ago1:57:01

1:57:01

This week's episode of the freshly award-losing Empire Podcast sees the podteam lick their wounds after a demoralising defeat in the Best Podcast (Consumer) category at the BSMEs earlier in the week. How do they do this? By talking about movies, of course, as they discuss the week's news (a load of trailers, and a potential new James Cameron movie)…

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Wade Eastwood On The Stunts Of Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning: An Empire Podcast Interview Special 41:20

4M ago41:20

41:20

Whether it's Tom Cruise risking his neck underwater, or above ground while clinging to the wing of a biplane, Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning is filled with stunts that might just turn your hair white. That's if you don't lose it completely. That's just one of the side effects discussed in this Empire Podcast interview special, as the fil…

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Starting In The Middle (with guests Jesse Armstrong, Tim Key, Tom Basden & Carey Mulligan) 1:53:44

5M ago1:53:44

1:53:44

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees the podteam — Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer and Alex Godfrey — get to grips with the definition of in media res, as they discuss some of their favourite films that throw you right into the action. Elsewhere, they talk about the week's movie news, pay tribute to Empire's founding editor Barry M…

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Lawyer, Doctor or Dead: Sikisa and the Party Ghost 58:21

5M ago58:21

58:21

Sikisa, is a dynamic British stand-up comedian, writer, producer, and qualified immigration lawyer. Born in South London and having spent part of her early life in Barbados, she brings a rich blend of cultural perspectives to her work. Sikisa's comedy often explores themes of race, class, and identity, delivered with an infectious energy and authen…

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Christopher McQuarrie on The Final Reckoning, Benicio del Toro & Michael Cera on The Phoenician Scheme, Tony Gilroy on Andor s2 (spoilers), and Cannes You Dig It? 1:58:45

5M ago1:58:45

1:58:45

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt mark the release of Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning by doing a non-spoiler, non-epic (less than 20 minutes!) chat with that film's director, the legendarily loquacious Christopher McQuarrie, [26:00 - 43:06 approx] and have a lovely natter with the stars of the new Wes Anderson fi…

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Ghost in the WiFi: Adam Buxton and the spirit of Blaszabss 1:05:32

5M ago1:05:32

1:05:32

Adam Buxton is a British comedian, writer, podcaster, and actor best known for his work in comedy and broadcasting. He gained prominence in the 1990s as one half of the comedy duo Adam and Joe, alongside Joe Cornish. Their cult TV show The Adam and Joe Show on Channel 4 mixed sketches, pop culture parodies, and homemade creativity, becoming a hit w…

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The Shameless Plug #3: Jurassic World Rebirth And Other Animals 39:22

5M ago39:22

39:22

The Shameless Plug — the show in which Chris Hewitt and Empire editor, Nick de Semlyen, sit down and talk you through the latest issue of Empire — is back for its third episode, folks. This one is dedicated to issue 441 of Empire (on sale now at all good, evil, and virtual newsagents), which features Jurassic World Rebirth on the cover, and Nick ta…

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The Rough Corner: Crotch Eyeballing, Psychic Cops & 'Big Spooky Moss' Dr Kate Cherrell 51:51

5M ago51:51

51:51

Dan and Al talk interior design premonitions, plotting pigeons, awkward interactions, and share some of the weirdest correspondence from the week. Plus, paranormal historian Dr Kate Cherrell has an awesome new book out, called Begotten. Find the link to that below! Kate's also been unearthing some of the strangest prophesies for our listening delig…