The Graham Norton Show guests as BBC series makes a comeback tonight with huge stars

TV icon Graham Norton is set to make a grand return to the BBC on Friday, 26 September with a fresh series of his late-night chat show, promising a line-up of star-studded guests.

After a summer hiatus, The Graham Norton Show is back with a bang, featuring some of the world's biggest celebrities including pop sensation Taylor Swift.

The newly-engaged singer will be joining Graham for a chinwag during the second episode on Friday, 3 October, promoting her latest album The Life Of A Showgirl. Taylor, who last graced the chat show in 2022, will be sharing the famous sofa with Cillian Murphy, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith, Domhnall Gleeson, and Lewis Capaldi.

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But who's on the first episode?

Before Taylor's appearance, the new series will debut with an impressive roster of guests. On the inaugural show (26 September), Graham will be hosting Hollywood heavyweights Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, Oscar-winning actor and writer Matthew McConaughey, esteemed British actor James Norton, and singer-songwriter RAYE, reports Belfast Live.

Dwayne and Emily will be discussing their true-life sports drama The Smashing Machine. Speaking about portraying wrestler Mark Kerr, Dwayne reveals: "He had an unbelievable life and to play him is the role of a lifetime. I didn't know the role was for me, or whether I could do it, but I had the opportunity and this little voice in me telling me to do it. For once I wasn't chasing the box office and it has changed my life."

Emily, discussing her portrayal of Dawn, Kerr's spouse, reveals: "She was heartbreaking and fierce. They had a complicated relationship with brokenness and vulnerability, and I hope the movie is healing for them."

When questioned about collaborating with her mate, she reveals: "Dwayne is the antithesis of the Rock persona everyone imagines – he is quiet, shy, gentle, and curious, and has a reservoir of untapped stuff – if you want to be fed by an experience, this role is like the Sunday roast of a performance."

Discussing the forthcoming second film of The Devil Wears Prada, Emily reveals: "People are so excited about it, it's incredibly sweet. We thought the first one was funny, but it had this meteoric rise which was amazing, and it is fun to come back to."

When questioned about his latest thriller The Lost Bus, Matthew reveals: "It is based on a true story of a father and son's survival. It is also a horror movie with the fire bearing down on you like Jaws. Personally, my character's choices have taught me never to be tardy with my children."

James, talking about Steven Knight's new period drama House of Guinness, describes it as "a smoky, sexy, and irreverent romp”. He says, “I loved playing Sean Rafferty – he is a bad-ass. It was delicious being him.”

RAYE delivers her latest single Where is My Husband live in the studio before sitting down with Graham to discuss her forthcoming album and tour.

The Graham Norton Show is on BBC One on Friday, September 26 at 10.40pm