The Graham Norton Show Tonight: Cate Blanchett, Hannah Waddingham and Robert Irwin Join Graham

Graham Norton welcomes another star-studded line-up to his famous red sofa tonight, Friday 23 October, with Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett, Ted Lasso favourite Hannah Waddingham and Australian wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin among the guests.

The latest edition of The Graham Norton Show brings together Hollywood talent, television favourites and a passionate advocate for wildlife, with singer Jorja Smith providing the musical performance of the evening.

The Graham Norton Show airs tonight at 10.40pm on BBC One, with viewers able to catch up through BBC iPlayer.

From Blanchett’s celebrated screen career to Waddingham’s success in comedy and musical theatre, and Irwin’s work protecting wildlife, there should be plenty for Graham to explore. Jorja Smith will round off the entertainment with her current single, Dancing.

Cate Blanchett Joins Graham Norton

Leading tonight’s guests is Cate Blanchett, the acclaimed Australian actress whose career has taken in major Hollywood films, award-winning dramas and ambitious independent projects. A two-time Academy Award winner, Blanchett is known for her versatility and for moving between blockbuster productions and more challenging character-driven stories.

Her celebrated roles include Queen Elizabeth I in Elizabeth and Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Katharine Hepburn in Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator, and the title character in Todd Field’s Tár. She has also appeared in Blue Jasmine, the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films, and Carol.

Blanchett’s performance in The Aviator earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, while Blue Jasmine brought her the Oscar for Best Actress. Her work in Tár also attracted major awards attention, with her portrayal of a celebrated conductor whose professional life begins to unravel becoming one of her most discussed performances.

Beyond acting, Blanchett has been involved in producing and supporting projects that bring attention to international stories. One recent focus is the Displacement Film Fund, which she presents and supports to help filmmakers with lived experience of displacement tell their stories. The fund’s first collection of short films recently made its UK debut at the BFI London Film Festival.

Tonight’s conversation offers an opportunity to hear more about Blanchett’s work on screen, her interest in independent cinema and her involvement in projects that help bring underrepresented perspectives to audiences.

Hannah Waddingham: From Ted Lasso to New Projects

Hannah Waddingham is another major draw on tonight’s sofa, bringing her trademark wit and larger-than-life personality to the programme.

The Emmy-winning actress is best known to many viewers as Rebecca Welton, the formidable owner of AFC Richmond in Apple TV’s hit comedy Ted Lasso. The show’s fourth season recently concluded, taking Rebecca and the rest of the Richmond team through another chapter of their footballing adventures. This time, Ted returned to England to coach a second-division women’s team, giving the series a fresh direction while retaining its familiar mix of humour, friendship and emotional storytelling.

Waddingham’s performance as Rebecca has been central to the show’s appeal. Initially introduced as a club owner with a personal grudge against her former husband, Rebecca developed into one of the series’ most beloved characters, balancing sharp humour with vulnerability and a growing sense of purpose.

Her career extends well beyond Ted Lasso. Waddingham has a substantial background in musical theatre, with West End appearances in productions including Spamalot and Into the Woods. Her powerful singing voice has also featured in screen roles and musical performances, while she has become a familiar face as a television presenter and awards-show host.

There is more acting work on the horizon, too. Waddingham has been announced as a guest star in The Choir, a new Apple TV comedy drama from Ruth Jones and James Corden about family, friendship, love and music. The eight-part series is in production and is scheduled to premiere globally in 2027.

With Ted Lasso fresh in viewers’ minds and another project on the way, Waddingham has plenty to discuss with Graham, from the demands of combining comedy and drama to her experience of performing on stage and screen.

Robert Irwin: Wildlife Conservation, Television and Life in the Spotlight

Australian conservationist and presenter Robert Irwin brings a different perspective to the sofa, with a career built around wildlife education, photography and protecting the natural world.

The son of the late conservationist Steve Irwin, Robert has continued his family’s work at Australia Zoo and through the Wildlife Warriors organisation. His work includes supporting wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, helping protect habitats and encouraging audiences to take a greater interest in conservation. He is also an accomplished nature photographer and has used television to share his enthusiasm for animals with viewers around the world.

Robert’s public profile has expanded beyond wildlife programming in recent years. He won the US competition series Dancing with the Stars, bringing his enthusiasm and determination to the ballroom, and has since taken on a presenting role in the spin-off Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro.

The new series follows 12 aspiring professional dancers as they compete for the chance to join the show’s professional line-up. Having experienced the pressure of the competition himself, Robert now takes on the role of host and mentor, helping guide the next generation of dancers through the audition process.

His television work gives him an opportunity to reach audiences who may not necessarily watch traditional wildlife programmes, while his conservation work remains a central part of his identity. Expect conversation that moves between his life at Australia Zoo, his family legacy and the unexpected experience of swapping animal encounters for the ballroom.

Jorja Smith Performs Her Single Dancing

Music comes from Jorja Smith, who takes to the stage tonight to perform her current single, Dancing.

The track appears on What Are the Odds, Smith’s third studio album, released in August 2026. The record marks a fresh direction for the Walsall-born singer-songwriter, who has built her reputation on soulful vocals, contemporary R&B and thoughtful songwriting. On the new album, she leans further into dance music, drawing on UK garage, two-step, funky house and Afro-house influences.

Produced by P2J, What Are the Odds features collaborations including Wizkid and Devlin. It brings together Smith’s distinctive vocal style and a more club-focused sound, creating a collection designed to work as well on the dancefloor as it does through headphones.

Dancing captures that shift, pairing an energetic rhythm with a catchy hook. Its performance on The Graham Norton Show will give viewers a chance to hear the track live and see Smith showcase the sound of her latest musical chapter.

The singer has earned acclaim for her ability to move between intimate, emotionally direct songs and more rhythm-driven material. Tonight’s appearance brings that versatility to the BBC sofa show, rounding out a guest line-up that spans film, television, conservation and music.

How to Watch The Graham Norton Show Tonight

Tonight’s edition of The Graham Norton Show brings together Cate Blanchett, Hannah Waddingham and Robert Irwin for conversation with Graham Norton, followed by a musical performance from Jorja Smith.

The programme airs tonight, Friday 23 October, at 10.40pm on BBC One. Viewers can also catch up on BBC iPlayer.

With Blanchett’s acclaimed film career, Waddingham’s recent return to Ted Lasso, Irwin’s mix of conservation and entertainment work, and Smith’s new dance-influenced album, the show promises a lively mix of stories and personalities.

The Graham Norton Show airs tonight at 10.40pm on BBC One.

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