Tom Hanks says his 1970s-set movie captures the zeitgeist of today’s political arena, Anthony Joshua talks about his plans to

become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, Maisie Williams chats about the final series of Game of Thrones

and First Aid Kit performs live in the studio

On tonight’s show (12th January) Graham welcomes double Oscar-winner Tom Hanks, world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, Game of Thrones favourite Maisie Williams and Swedish Folk duo, First Aid Kit.

Tom, talking about his new Spielberg political drama The Post, in which he stars with Meryl Streep, says, “We all read it independently of each other so it was great that we all came together to work on it. Magic Meryl is wonderful to work with.”

Asked about the political themes of the movie, he says, “It really does capture the zeitgeist of the moment – it takes place in 1971 but it’s written as though it’s 2017. The issues are the same as now - people don’t change, politics don’t change and the quest for power is always there. Someone is always chasing the dragon of power.

“People have said that we have obviously steered the film towards current events, but the truth is we didn’t change a thing. We reflected the historic record and it just happens to be ripped right out of today’s headlines.” Joking about the use of the real Nixon tapes in the film, he adds, “Richard Nixon stars as Richard Nixon and he is fantastic!”

Talking about Meryl, and asked why they have never worked together before, he says, “There was never a whiff of it before, but I was a producer of Mamma Mia and I tried out for a role. I wanted to hire myself, but my singing voice would have scared the children so this is the first time I’ve got to appear with her.”

Asked about portraying living people, he says, “I like to meet them – I seek them out and say to them, ‘Look, I’m playing you for good or bad, deal with it. As you, I’m going to say things you never said, I’ll go places you never were, and I will do things you never did, but, that being the case, I’d like to be as authentic as possible!’”

Anthony talking about the possibility of becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world by the end of this year, says, “That’s the plan. I’m working on it.”

Asked about working as a promoter alongside his boxing career, he says, “I’ve always had the mindset that when athletes’ careers come to an end it’s the natural step after retirement and I want to be two steps ahead. I like using the momentum of competing to help guide and develop others’ careers.”

Talking about people trying to pick a fight with him, he says, “I keep things separate. There is me in the ring and then there is my family and being an ambassador of the sport outside the ring but some people can’t make that distinction and approach me in an over confident and rough way. I’m still a street kid at heart – don’t let the nice suit fool you – so I have to balance not slamming them back while letting them know I am not to be fooled with.”

Maisie, talking about the last series of Game of Thrones, says, “It will air next year, we’re still making it. It is so much fun now there is only a small group of us left and it’s exciting to know everything that is going on.”

Talking about Game of Thrones’ fans stranger requests, she says, “My character has a list of the people she wants to kill so people come up to me and ask me to recite the list and add their names at the end. Reciting the fictional death list, Maisie adds Tom, Anthony and Graham. Maisie also demonstrates her stage fighting techniques by throwing a punch at Tom.

First Aid Kit performs It’s a Shame live in the studio before joining Graham for a chat about their album and upcoming 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 12th January 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 show.

Next week – 19th January – Graham’s guests include Dame Helen Mirren, Liam Neeson, Jamie Dornan and Sigrid.

For further information please contact Mary Collins 07769 670516 or at mary@marycollins-pr.com  12th January 2018