Olivia Colman, Alexander Skarsgård, Penélope Cruz, Bill Murray and Orville Peck are heading to Graham Norton’s sofa for the third episode of the new series of The Graham Norton Show.
Share this article with someone via Whatsapp:
The latest line-up brings together an impressive collection of Hollywood and international stars, with the guests discussing new films, television projects and more when the BBC chat show returns.
The episode is currently scheduled to air on Friday, October 9, 2026 at 10.40pm on BBC One.
The episode will be the third instalment of the show’s 34th series, following the opening episode featuring Tom Cruise, Florence Pugh, Lolly Adefope and Emeli Sandé, and the second episode featuring Sylvester Stallone, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Andrew Garfield, 50 Cent and Blossoms.
Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård join Graham Norton
Oscar winner Olivia Colman will be appearing alongside Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgård, with the pair set to discuss their new comedy fantasy film Wicker.
The pairing gives Graham Norton two major international actors to explore the new project with, as Colman and Skarsgård share the sofa to discuss their roles and working together.
Colman is one of Britain’s most recognisable screen performers, having won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as Queen Anne in The Favourite.
Skarsgård, meanwhile, has built an extensive career across film and television, including his Emmy-winning performance in Big Little Lies and roles in films including The Northman and Godzilla vs. Kong.
Their appearance also gives viewers an early opportunity to hear more about Wicker, one of the major projects being promoted during the autumn film season.
Penélope Cruz joins the sofa
Oscar-winning Spanish actress Penélope Cruz will also appear on the programme.
Cruz will be talking about La Bola Negra, the critically acclaimed film that forms part of the conversation surrounding her appearance on the show.
The actress has enjoyed a long international career spanning Spanish-language cinema and major Hollywood productions, and became the first Spanish actress to win an Academy Award when she took home the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
Her appearance continues the programme’s tradition of bringing major international film stars together with British entertainment figures for an informal conversation on the sofa.
Bill Murray discusses A Course Called Ireland
One of the most intriguing guests on the episode will be American actor and comedian Bill Murray, who will be talking about his new BBC documentary series A Course Called Ireland.
The six-part series follows Murray on a golfing road trip around Ireland, combining his love of golf with encounters, travel and comedy.
Murray is joined during the journey by comedian Joanne McNally, as well as a number of celebrity friends including The IT Crowd star Chris O’Dowd, former NFL player Jason Kelce and author and golfer Tom Coyne.
The series is inspired by Coyne’s book A Course Called Ireland and follows Murray as he explores some of Ireland’s golf courses and meets people along the way.
The BBC has described the programme as being about more than golf, with the series focusing on friendship, unexpected encounters and the experience of travelling around Ireland.
A Course Called Ireland is scheduled to launch on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer on October 23, before arriving on BBC Two on October 25 at 9.30pm.
Orville Peck will perform on The Graham Norton Show
The musical performance on the third episode will come from Orville Peck, who will perform his single “Too Little, Too Late.”
The masked country singer and songwriter will provide the musical finale to an episode otherwise dominated by some of the biggest names in film and television.
Peck has developed a distinctive identity within contemporary country music, while his appearance on The Graham Norton Show gives viewers a chance to hear his latest single in a live television performance.
When is The Graham Norton Show on?
The third episode of Series 34 of The Graham Norton Show is scheduled for:
Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
Time: 10.40pm
Channel: BBC One
Episode: Series 34, Episode 3
The confirmed guest line-up is:
- Olivia Colman
- Alexander Skarsgård
- Penélope Cruz
- Bill Murray
- Orville Peck
Graham Norton’s third sofa of the new series therefore promises another unusually international line-up, bringing together Oscar-winning actors, a major Swedish star, an American comedy legend and one of country music’s most distinctive modern performers.
With Wicker, La Bola Negra and A Course Called Ireland all providing talking points, there should be plenty for Graham to explore when the guests take their places on the famous sofa.
The new series begins this Friday with Tom Cruise. Andrew Garfield and 50 Cent will guest on episode 2.
The Graham Norton Show returns Friday, October 9 at 10.40pm on BBC One.