This Cultural Life

Last episode
This Cultural Life

Dame Judi Dench talks to John Wilson about her biggest cultural influence: William Shakespeare.

Catching up on This Cultural Life?

Don't want to miss an episode anymore? Set up a free alarm and receive an email when new episodes are available. Handy!

2023
Booker Prize-winning author Bernardine Evaristo talks to John Wilson about the formative experiences and cultural influences that have had a profound effect on her work.
John Wilson talks to award-wining author Margaret Atwood about the experiences that shaped her writing.
Actor and film-maker Sir Kenneth Branagh talks to John Wilson about the key influences and inspirations that have shaped his own work.
Award-winning artist Jeremy Deller discusses his career and creative influences with John Wilson.
TV writer and director Sally Wainwright talks to John Wilson about her formative cultural influences.
Glenda Jackson talks to John Wilson about her most important cultural influences, including Peter Brook, Ken Russell, and Margaret Thatcher, who galvanised her to enter politics.
Actor Whoopi Goldberg reveals the most important influences and experiences that shaped her own creativity.
Director Ken Loach talks to John Wilson about the key moments in his life that have shaped his creativity.
Episodes 2022
Comedian, actor and composer Tim Minchin, the songwriter behind Matilda the Musical, chooses his creative influences and discusses his career.
Violinist Nicola Benedetti reveals the influences and experiences that have led her to become one of the world’s greatest classical musicians.
The world's leading classical solo percussionist Evelyn Glennie talks to John Wilson about her career and picks out some of the key influences on her artistic path.
Playwright and artistic director of London's Young Vic theatre Kwame Kwei-Armah shares some of the influences that have had a significant impact on his work.
Oscar winner Nicole Kidman talks to John Wilson about the influence on her career of working with great film-makers, including Jane Campion, Baz Luhrmann and Stanley Kubrick.
Cuban ballet star Carlos Acosta talks to John Wilson about the key moments in his cultural life, from breakdancing in Havana to becoming principal dancer of the Royal Ballet.
Episodes 2021
In a deeply personal interview, artist Tracey Emin talks to John Wilson about the experiences that have shaped her life and career.
Film director Mike Leigh talks to John Wilson about the art and experiences that have shaped his own creative life.
Archive