The Graham Norton Show: Who is on tonight as Graham welcomes newly-knighted star Idris Elba
Graham has another great line-up of guestsThe Graham Norton Show will be graced with a newly-knighted Sir tonight as Graham catches up with Idris Elba – but who else is on?
Graham is back for another episode of our favourite Friday night chat show with a fabulous line-up of guests.
Not only will he be chatting to Sir Idris, the Irish star will also welcome some serious acting talent to his red sofa.
There will also be another musical performance to round off the night, which you won’t want to miss.
Here’s everything you need to know about The Graham Norton Show tonight, including who is on and what time it starts.
The Graham Norton Show: Who is on?
As excitedly mentioned above, Graham is joined by Idris Elba on tonight’s show. Squeel!
Idris has recently received his Knighthood in the post from King Charles, although he waiting for the official ceremony. And he can’t wait to tell Graham all about it.
“I haven’t had the sword on the shoulder yet, but my wife is loving it,” Idris – who married his stunning model wife Sabrina in 2019 – admits.
Idris goes on:”It’s a bit embarrassing. I was sent a consideration letter asking whether I would or wouldn’t accept it, but I didn’t see it as it got lost in a pile of post. My agent told me that if I didn’t accept it would pass me by.
“By the time I found the letter I had only two days to decide.”
Good grief, Idris!
He jokingly adds to Graham: “I got it for services to young people and I was thinking, ‘Hang on a minute, that’s great, but I’ve been acting for 30 years!’ It is actually a great honour, and my mum is so pleased.”
Idris will also be speaking about the upcoming second season of the Apple TV thriller Hijack, which he takes the lead in.
Erin Doherty and Martin Freeman
British actors Erin Doherty and Martin Freeman are also on The Graham Norton Show tonight.
Erin starred in the huge Netflix mini-series Adolescence as child psychologist, Briony Ariston. But when she picked up her prestigious Emmy Award for the role, she ended up in trouble with her mum.
Erin dropped the F-bomb live on stage – it and didn’t go down well. She tells Graham: “My mum told me off for swearing. I didn’t mean to, but everyone looked so [bleep] stunning. I’ve promised her I won’t do it again!”
The actress will be telling Graham about the new series of Victorian drama, A Thousand Blows. She plays Mary Carr in the show.
Martin Freeman is also in the house. He’s in to tell Graham all about his new TV series, Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials, which hits Netflix today.
It sounds like playing Superintendent Battle didn’t come that easy for him, however.
“I didn’t know these characters as they are from the early novels,” Martin says to Graham. “The story is set in a weird place in time.
“It is the Roaring Twenties, which was mired in the grief and loss of WW1. It has an authentic 20s voice that still feels good to our modern ears, and is funny and moving and was great fun to do.”
Who else is on?
Graham will also be joined by BAFTA-nominated actress Wunmi Mosaku. The Nigerian-British star is known for her appearances in Vera and Moses Jones.
Last year, Wunmi starred in the period horror movie, Sinners. She played Annie in the gothic film, but it was another Annie who inspired her career.
She says it was the 1982 musical film Annie that sparked her love of acting: “I watched that film every single day after school,” Wunmi tells Graham.
“I’d press ‘play’ and the tears would start rolling. When I decided I wanted to act I went through the cast and found out how they became actors.
“As Albert Finney was from Manchester, I thought I would do what he did, so I auditioned for RADA and got it. I had never heard of drama school before that. Annie changed my whole life.”
What a sweet story!
Olivia Dean is providing the music tonight. She will be performing her track So Easy (To Fall In Love) live in the studio before joining the guests on the sofa.
What time is The Graham Norton Show on tonight?
Graham is in his usual slot of 10.40pm tonight (Friday January 16, 2026). Thankfully there are no nasty schedule surprises to catch you out!
Tune in to see him on both BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with the show due to end at 11.30pm.
And of course, the night will be topped off once again with Graham and his red chair. Which audience member will get the dreaded lever tonight?!
