The Arts Hour

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 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 staring 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 Photo Credit: Ben Bailey-Smith

Nikki Bedi is on stage at Teatro Italia in Rome with leading creatives and live audience, to explore the impact of the country’s colossal cultural history on its new wave of artistic talent.Creative powerhouse Margherita Vicario reveals the inspiration for her film Gloria!, about rebellious women musicians in a convent in 1800 Venice.Horror maestro Paolo Strippoli explains the meaning of his film, The Holy Boy, set in a village that depends on the miraculous healing powers of a teenage boy.There is live comedy from Luca Ravenna.Live music comes from singer songwriter Levante and poetic rapper Mecna.And Daniele Tinti is Nikki’s insider guide to Rome’s revealing locationsPhoto credit Marco Ponzianelli

Nikki Bedi and film critic Guy Lodge discuss cultural highlights of the week. Australian actor Joel Edgerton on being at one with nature whilst filming Train Dreams. India born British-American author Salman Rushdie talks about writing for comfort and catharsis at moments of crisis in his life. Hollywood actor Sydney Sweeney reveals how she transformed herself to play real life boxer Christy Martin in the movie Christy. Chinese American director Bing Liu, tells Nikki about his first narrative film Preparation for the Next Life. And Tamana Ayazi discusses saving the music of Afghanistan, banned under the Taliban.(Photo: Bing Liu. Credit: MetFilms)

Nikki Bedi speaks to film-maker Neeraj Ghaywan about his film Homebound, which is India’s entry for the Best International Feature category at the Oscars. She also talks to the director Shih-Ching Tsou about Taiwan’s entry for the same category, the Taipei-set film Left-Handed Girl. Plus a chance to hear about Australia’s entry, The Wolves Always Come at Night from the film-maker Gabrielle Brady.The creators of Stranger Things, the Duffer Brothers talk about the series genesis and the 1980s themes. And Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence reveals how the late great comedy actor John Candy was a formative influence.Nikki Bedi is joined by cultural critic Zing Tsjeng to discuss all of this and more.(Photo: Neeraj Ghaywan. Credit: Dharma Productions)

Nikki Bedi talks to director Nia DaCosta about her film Hedda starring Tessa Thompson and is joined by cultural critic Hanna Flint. Oscar winning British actor Daniel Day-Lewis and his director son Ronan, discuss working together on their film Anemone. Spanish superstar Rosalia reveals why, and how, she chooses different languages to sing in. Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston tackles a classic Arthur Miller play with actor Marianne Jean-Baptiste. Australian actor Sarah Snook, of Succession fame, talks about her latest series All Her Fault. And Puerto Rican guitarist Carlos Alomar on collaborating with David Bowie.Main image: Tessa Thompson as Hedda Photo credit: Amazon MGM StudiosAudio for this episode was updated on 2nd December 2025.