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The penultimate regular Empire Podcast of the year is here, folks (don't worry, there are specials galore on the way), and it's a belter. Guest-wise, we have more goodies under the tree, as Jamie Graham talks to longtime collaborators Shih-Ching Tsou and Sean Baker (the director of Anora) about Tsou's directorial debut, Left-Handed Girl, streaming now on Netflix; [25:27 — 41:51 approx] and Chris Hewitt has lovely chats with Wake Up Dead Man suspects Daryl McCormack and Cailee Spaeny, [1:04:42 — 1:19:44 approx] and the legendary James L. Brooks, who returns to directing this week with Ella McCay. [1:40:42 – 1:54:01 approx]
Either side of that little lot, Chris is joined in the podbooth by Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Beth Webb for more Christmas movie shenanigans, including a discussion of their favourite Christmas movie songs, and where they'd like to spend Christmas if they were in a movie. You'll be staggered to know that a certain plaza in LA gets a mention. The team also talk about the Golden Globe nominations and the potential Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros. (this episode was recorded before the Supergirl trailer launched, sadly), and they review Wake Up Dead Man (again), Eleanor The Great, Goodbye June, and Fackham Hall, which sees an Empire Podcast first. You'll have to listen to find out what that is. Enjoy!
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You can listen to this week's episode (which, if you're counting, is #697) on the pod app of your choice. And if you want more of The Empire Film Podcast, but LIVE and IN PERSON, then boy do we have just the thing for you. On Friday 9 January, 2026 at 7pm, Team Empire will be coming at you live from Kings Place for an evening of movie news, reviews, nonsense, and maybe a special guest or two to celebrate our 700th episode. Head on over to Kings Place's website to secure your ticket now. We'll see you there!