Talking Pictures
Talking Pictures is a TV show on BBC2. A nostalgic journey through cinema’s greatest moments. Delve into the BBC archives for classic conversation and priceless footage that celebrates the legends of the silver screen. The program has been available since 2025. A total of 26 episodes have been broadcast, most recently in January 2026.
Last episode
Talking Pictures
Sylvia Syms looks back on the great British comedy stars who over the years have had cinema audiences rolling in the aisles with laughter.
Catching up on Talking Pictures?
Don't want to miss an episode anymore? Set up a free alarm and receive an email when new episodes are available. Handy!
A look at the life of acting legend Michael Caine, using rarely seen television interviews and classic archive clips to tell the story of one of Britain's most successful actors.
December 2025
Celia Imrie dives into the BBC’s archives to tell the behind-the-scenes story of Steven Spielberg’s classic aquatic horror, Jaws.
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by Hollywood director Alfred Hitchcock, capturing the highlights of his life and career.
As Kenneth Branagh prepares to unveil the latest version of Death on the Nile, Celia Imrie looks at how Agatha Christie's murder mysteries have been treated by film-makers over the years.
A look back at the life of the actor Omar Sharif, who died in July 2015 at the age of 83. Featuring archive interviews with the BBC and contributions from director David Lean.
Celia Imrie takes a journey in the BBC’s archives to tell the story of one of the most acclaimed films of all time, Alfred Hitchcock’s groundbreaking 1960 horror, Psycho.
The story of the Hollywood musical, featuring interviews with stars from the genre's golden age, as well as some of the directors and songwriters who helped create them.
November 2025
Sylvia Syms looks back through the BBC’s archives to tell the story of what is perhaps cinema’s most enduring and most visual genre.
A look back at television appearances made over the years by the Oscar-winning actor Sir John Mills, capturing the milestones of his life and career.
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by Oscar nominated Hollywood icon Richard Burton, capturing the highlights of his life and career.
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by award-winning actor and playwright Noel Coward, with archive interviews and classic clips.
A look back at the life of Oscar-winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins, featuring interviews conducted with the BBC over the course of his career.
October 2025
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by Hollywood legend John Wayne, capturing the milestones and highlights of his life and career.
The career of Robert Redford is examined in this exploration of the BBC archives, which includes rarely seen interviews. Narrated by Sylvia Syms.
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by Mary Poppins and Sound of Music star Julie Andrews, with interviews from the archive and classic clips.
September 2025
A look back at the life and work of Sir John Hurt, one of Britain's acting greats, whose career spanned six decades and took in over 100 films.
August 2025
Celia Imrie explores the story behind Francis Ford Coppola’s acclaimed Godfather series, featuring insights from cast members Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, James Caan, Robert Duvall and Coppola himself.
Celia Imrie takes a trip through the BBC archives on a forensic examination of one of cinema’s most frightening franchises, The Silence of the Lambs.
A look back at television appearances made over the years by Hollywood legend Bette Davis, capturing the milestones of her life and career. Narrated by Sylvia Syms.