Plot Twist

NOW

Plot twists – they turn up everywhere. In film, life and love, they’re the moments that can change everything. Join Tom as he meets some of the world’s biggest TV, film, comedy and sport stars to ask them about their most poignant plot twist moments, behind the scenes and throughout their careers.

A Pixiu production for NOW & Sky.

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Our Editor's Take

The Plot Twist podcast takes a unique and innovative approach to interviewing celebrities. Everyone loves a story with an enticing plot twist. Sudden reveals of unexpected information thrill audiences, and the best twists end up in the history books. Who can forget the unbelievable reveals in The Sixth Sense or The Empire Strikes Back? But plot twists happen in real life too. This podcast deeply delves into the life and work of stars from TV, film, or other media. Each episode focuses on one plot twist that changed the guest's career forever.

Guests of the show range from writers and producers to actors and sports stars. Hosts Fran and Tom meet their guests to talk about the twists and turns they've experienced. The pair are self-proclaimed TV nerds and discuss the best plot twists both on and off the screen.

The podcast started in 2020. Weekly episodes invite a new celebrity guest to share stories about how they got where they are in their careers. The guests share amusing anecdotes of current projects and memorable people in their lives.

This podcast is a great mix of comedy, film, and TV chat, and includes engaging celebrity interviews. It is an excellent podcast for TV and film fans wanting to hear from their favorite stars.

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TV & FilmTV & Film

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Sir David Jason

Sir David Jason

From Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses, to Detective Inspector Jack Frost in A Touch of Frost, and Granville in Open All Hours – Sir David Jason has been a staple of British television since the 1970s, ranging everything from slapstick comedy, to police drama, and animated hits. Speaking about a life of Plot Twists on screen, he pays tribute to his mentor Ronnie Barker and shares how “The Guv'nor” ceremoniously passed on the baton. David also talks about his enduring love for creating characters (think of the voices of Dangerous, or Mr. Toad) and pitches a new Mission Impossible spin-off to Tom Cruise, in response to the fact that Hollywood is the last thing on his list to conquer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

Sir David Jason

Sir David Jason

From Del Boy in Only Fools and Horses, to Detective Inspector Jack Frost in A Touch of Frost, and Granville in Open All Hours – Sir David Jason has been a staple of British television since the 1970s, ranging everything from slapstick comedy, to police drama, and animated hits. Speaking about a life of Plot Twists on screen, he pays tribute to his mentor Ronnie Barker and shares how “The Guv'nor” ceremoniously passed on the baton. David also talks about his enduring love for creating characters (think of the voices of Dangerous, or Mr. Toad) and pitches a new Mission Impossible spin-off to Tom Cruise, in response to the fact that Hollywood is the last thing on his list to conquer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From his cult role as Simon in Misfits to playing one of Game of Thrones' most evil characters, Ramsay Bolton, actor Iwan Rheon joins Tom to share his plot twist journey and behind-the-scenes gems. Starting out in a Welsh language soap opera, Iwan describes how his rise to international fame followed a series of “I can’t believe I’m here” moments, including a first day on set where he became Sir Ian McKellen’s “hero” after saving him from an accident. Today, Iwan is back with an exciting new series set in the underbelly of Ancient Rome called Those About to Die, starring alongside Anthony Hopkins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Danny Dyer and Ryan Sampson

Danny Dyer and Ryan Sampson

In a career that has spanned TV-soap fame on Eastenders, films roles including The Football Factory, theatre stints under the mentorship of Nobel Prize winning dramatists Harold Pinter, and even Celebrity Gogglebox (alongside his Love Island star daughter Dani) - it seemed that Danny Dyer had pretty much done it all. That was until actor and writer Ryan Sampson (Plebs/Brassic), suggested he play the lead role in a bombastic new Sky Original comedy, Mr Bigtsuff. Telling the story of two estranged brothers, Sampson and Dyer explore themes of "broken families, fragile masculinity and… carpet sales” in a hilarious and at times poignant romp. Joining Tom, they discuss some of the biggest plot twists in their careers including a wild first meeting in Bulgaria filming Plebs, with limoncello shots in tow. All six episodes of Mr Bigstuff are available to watch on NOW and Sky. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ewan Mitchell, House of the Dragon Special

Ewan Mitchell, House of the Dragon Special

Set 200 years before Game of Thrones, the first series of House of the Dragon was lauded as an unmissable prequel by fans. Ahead of the highly anticipated release of series two on Sky and Now, Tom sat down with Ewan Mitchell, aka Aemond Targaryen, to discuss his experiences at the heart of the new storyline. Ewan, who also recently featured in the box-office hit Saltburn, shares his insights on working alongside stars like Matt Smith and how he channels the spirit of iconic actors like James Gandolfini (of The Sopranos) to bring depth and detail to his performances.House of the Dragon Season 2 is streaming weekly on Sky and Now, and the whole of Season 1 is available to watch on demand. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melanie Lynskey

Melanie Lynskey

Join Tom as he delves into the Hollywood journey of the talented Melanie Lynskey, from her breakthrough in Heavenly Creatures to unforgettable roles in Two and A Half Men and The Last of Us. In this episode, Lynskey shares her experiences navigating showbiz, offering insights into the highs and lows of acting. Plus, hear about her latest project, the gripping Sky series The Tattooist of Auschwitz - a six-part series based on the international bestselling novel by Heather Morris, inspired by the real-life story of Holocaust prisoners Lali and Gita Sokolov. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover the incredible life of Hollywood legend Danny Trejo. From battling addiction and prison time to rising as a household name in film, Danny's journey is truly inspiring. In this episode, Tom and Danny delve into his iconic roles in movies like 'Heat' and 'Machete,' his transition from ex-convict to celebrated actor, and his latest venture with 'Trejos Tacos' restaurant. Tune in for a captivating conversation on resilience, redemption, and the power of second chances with the remarkable Danny Trejo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh Widdicombe and Nish Kumar

Josh Widdicombe and Nish Kumar

Get ready for laughs as Tom sits down with British comedy icons Josh Widdicombe and Nish Kumar! Known for their work on shows like The Last Leg, Mock the Week, and The Mash Report, they're experts in stand-up and satire. In this episode, discover their journey to success, from chance encounters at University to derailed trains. And don't miss a sneak peek into Season 2 of Hold The Front Page on Sky, where Josh and Nish embark on a hilarious quest to land their articles on the front page of local newspapers across the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fresh from her acclaim at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where her show "Man'oushe" was nominated for Best Show, Janine Harouni is making waves in comedy. Tom sits down with Janine for a candid chat, tracing her comedic path from humble beginnings in Staten Island to global recognition. Through resilience and determination, Janine has overcome numerous challenges to reach where she is today. Join us for an inspiring conversation as we delve into Janine's journey and plot twist moments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve Backshall

Steve Backshall

From the depths of the Amazon rainforest to the peaks of the Himalayas, Steve Backshall has explored some of the most remote and dangerous corners of our planet. Who would have guessed his passion for adventure started from buying a 10p bag of manure…. This week on the podcast, Steve Backshall sits down with Tom to share gripping stories of his encounters with deadly creatures, his passion for conservation, and the importance of protecting our natural world. He also talks about his latest shows for Sky Nature ‘Whale’ and ‘Shark’, which offer a fascinating insight into life beneath the waves. Definitely not one to miss for you adventurers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Tom as he chats with Teddy Swims, the viral singing sensation from Georgia, Atlanta. In this episode, Teddy discusses his rise in the music industry, from posting covers on Youtube to collaborating with stars like Meghan Trainor, Kelly Clarkson and performing alongside comedian Dave Chappelle. As Teddy prepares for his I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Music Tour, listeners get an inside look at his remarkable journey and the unexpected turns that have shaped his career. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eric Stonestreet

Eric Stonestreet

Eric Stonestreet, renowned for playing Cameron Tucker in Modern Family, has charmed audiences for decades with his comedic talent. His roles as Duke in The Secret Life Of Pets and the antagonist Mad Santa in The Santa Clauses have also left a lasting impression on many. In this episode, Tom sits down with Eric to talk about his journey from raising pigs in Kansas City to achieving Hollywood stardom, uncovering the story behind the laughter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Giancarlo Esposito

Giancarlo Esposito

Giancarlo Esposito gained international acclaim as Gus Fring in Breaking Bad, now considered one of the top TV villains of all time – a surprising choice for someone who once aspired to be a priest. Since then, he's embraced antagonistic roles, reprising Gus Fring again in Better Call Saul, portraying Stan Edgar in The Boys, and embodying Moff Gideon in The Mandalorian. Now, he stars in Guy Ritchie's Netflix special, The Gentlemen, a spin-off from the 2019 film. In this episode Giancarlo talks with Tom about his own plot twists, his love for Muhammad Ali and how running your own race leads to the sweetest victories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nicholas Galitzine

Nicholas Galitzine

Multi-talented actor, queer icon, and Fendi ambassador, Nicholas Galitzine joins Tom for this week’s Plot Twist. As a rising star he's already shared the screen with huge names such as Anne Hathaway, Uma Thurman and Pierce Brosnan – an extraordinary journey for someone who initially looked set to become a professional rugby player. Nicolas also lifts the curtain on his most recent project, Mary and George, the raunchy historical Sky Original drama directed by Oliver Hermanus, in which he stars opposite Julianne Moore. It unravels the true tale of a mother and son who, through cunning schemes, strategically navigate their way into the heart of the British Monarchy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joanne Froggatt

Joanne Froggatt

From starting out as a child actor in Coronation Street to gaining huge worldwide recognition as Anna Bates in Downton Abbey, the Golden Globe winning actress Joanne Froggatt joins Tom this week to share the plot twist moments from her career so far. Known for her ability to play a wide range of roles, Joanne also discusses the things that draw her to a script and the processes she goes through to get into character – including her new 3-part ITVX drama Breathtaking, depicting the incredible circumstances endured by health workers during the pandemic. Plus, why a comedy series might just be her next move. TW: This episode includes discussion around storylines involving sexual assault. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The multi-Oscar winning actress Jodie Foster (nominated again for the fifth time at this year’s Academy Awards) joins Tom on Plot Twist to discuss her much loved role in True Detective: Night Country available on Sky and Now. With over 50 years in the business, including iconic movies like Taxi Driver and The Silence of the Lambs, she discusses the influences and sliding door moments that have guided her through an iconic career – sometimes against the odds and not feeling like a "natural born actor”. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whilst he’s known around the world for playing the king of hell in the hit-series Lucifer, actor Tom Ellis turns out to be a rather charming bloke in real life – which is fitting this Valentines week as he joins presenter Tom Pauc to discuss his latest rom-com Players, in which he stars opposite Gina Rodriguez. He also shares the plot twist stories that have taken his career from Sheffield to LA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Lucius Malfoy in Harry Potter, to Captain Hook, The Patriot with Mel Gibson, theatre alongside Daniel Craig, and most recently starring as Hollywood hero Cary Grant in Archie (ITVX) – Jason Isaacs has had an esteemed and wide ranging career spanning over 35 years. Speaking with Tom he shares the reasons why taking roles as a villain will always appeal, as well as the plot twist audition that sealed his fate (alongside some swear words from a posh lady). Plus, Jason reveals a Harry Potter film nugget you may not have realised, relating to his brilliant ability as a voice actor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the Royal Shakespeare Company to I May Destroy You and now The Lazarus Project (Sky Original) – Paapa Essiedu's rise has earned him attention as one of the hottest actors to watch from the British scene – even landing him on lists as a favourite for the next James Bond role. Speaking with Tom he shares the plot twist moments and influences that have shaped this incredible career. Plus on the subject of Paapa’s new series of the Lazarus Project, they get philosophical on the idea of time travel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The much-loved comedian, musician, and Strictly Come Dancing champion Bill Bailey (of Black Books/QI/Never Mind The Buzzcocks fame) joins Tom this week ahead of his new stand-up tour, to talk about his life in performance. He shares tales of late-night escapades with colleague Sean Lock, empty Edinburgh gigs, paddle boarding, and the big moment at Glastonbury he realised he’d received his flowers. Bill Bailey's Master Crafter's is available to watch on NOW and Sky. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2012 singer-songwriter James Arthur's life changed forever as he shot to stardom after winning the X Factor – a rags to riches tale that played out in front of the country on reality TV's most famous music show. Speaking to Tom he shares the plot twist moments, highs and lows that have followed, from building a fiercely loyal fan base, to coming to terms with mistakes, and finding a new peace through fatherhood. Ahead of the release of his forthcoming album, Bitter Sweet Love, he also shares insights into his creative process and explains why music will always be the centre point of his life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.