The Envelope

Our guest is Steve McQueen, the director, co-writer and executive producer of “Small Axe.” McQueen talks about the ethos behind this anthology of five films set in London’s West Indian community in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s, and the steps he's taking to get more young people of color into the entertainment industry. Plus: Reaction to the 2021 Golden Globes Awards from our writer Glenn Whipp. Photo...

Our guest is Kaley Cuoco, who was nominated for Golden Globe and SAG awards for her role in “The Flight Attendant” on HBO Max. Cuoco talks about needing some convincing to play certain scenes, what it was like to work with co-star Rosie Perez and what she’ll be wearing for the Globe awards on Sunday. Photo credit: Nino Munoz. For more Envelope exclusive awards season coverage, visit latimes.com/en...

Our guest is Lee Isaac Chung, the writer and director of “Minari,” a semiautobiographical story about a Korean American family living in rural Arkansas in the 1980s. Chung talks about the long personal journey leading up to the release of the movie, the young actor who dressed up as a cowboy at the Sundance Film Festival world premiere, and the decision to make “Minari” in Korean.

Our guest is Josh O’Connor, who was nominated for Golden Globe and SAG awards for his portrayal of Prince Charles in the Netflix show “The Crown.” O’Connor talks about the challenges of playing a real-life character in a fictional series, the scrapbooks he makes to get into the right mind-set for acting roles, and his love of ceramics. Photo credit: Matt Holyoak. For more Envelope exclusive awards...

Our guests are Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini, who play Jen and Judy in the Netflix show “Dead to Me.” Applegate and Cardellini talk about the true friendship that developed between them on set, how Wi-Fi challenges nearly thwarted the Emmys last year, and the TV shows they're watching during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo credit: Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times. For more Envelope exc...

Our guest is Rachel Brosnahan, who stars in the dramatic crime thriller “I’m Your Woman.” Brosnahan talks about the self-discovery of her character in the film, stepping into the role of producer for the first time, and actors she admires for disappearing seamlessly into their roles. Photo credit: Sam Jones. For more Envelope exclusive awards season coverage, visit latimes.com/envelope and sign up...

Our guest is Radha Blank, writer, director and star of the film “The Forty-Year-Old Version.” Blank talks about her experiences with discrimination and gatekeepers in the arts, the empowerment of Black voices, and her rap persona, “RadhaMUSprime.” Photo credit: Jeong Park/Netflix. For more Envelope exclusive awards season coverage, visit latimes.com/envelope and sign up for the Envelope newsletter...

Our guest is Hugh Grant, who recently starred in the HBO miniseries “The Undoing.” The actor talks about why he prefers playing darker roles, transitioning from film back into TV, and why he’s terrified of the word “action” on set. Photo credit: Jason Bell. For more Envelope exclusive awards season coverage, visit latimes.com/envelope and sign up for the Envelope newsletter.

Our guest is Kemp Powers, writer of the play-turned-film “One Night in Miami.” Powers talks about fictionalizing real-life figures, his career transition from journalism to entertainment, and working with Pixar on the film “Soul.” Photo credit: Deborah Coleman Pixar. For more Envelope exclusive awards season coverage, visit latimes.com/envelope and sign up for the Envelope newsletter. Sponsors inc...

Our guest is Shira Haas, the star of the Netflix miniseries “Unorthodox.” Haas talks about how she tapped into her Israeli roots to play an Orthodox Jewish character, handles her newfound American fame, and promotes her work during a pandemic. Photo credit: Eyal Nevo. For more Envelope exclusive awards season coverage, visit latimes.com/envelope and sign up for the Envelope newsletter.

Our guest is Rashida Jones, who recently starred in the film “On the Rocks.” Jones talks about her evolving relationship with her father, music producer Quincy Jones; the difference between producing and acting; and pushing Hollywood to acknowledge her biracial identity. Photo credit: Sam Jones. For more Envelope exclusive awards season coverage, visit latimes.com/envelope and sign up for the Enve...

Our guests are actress and producer Aubrey Plaza and writer and director Lawrence Michael Levine, who teamed up on the film “Black Bear.” Plaza and Levine talk about the head-spinning plot, working on commercial versus independent films, and collaborating on set. Photo credit: Brian Bowen Smith. For more Envelope exclusive awards season coverage, visit latimes.com/envelope and sign up for the Enve...

Our guest is Anya Taylor-Joy, star of Netflix’s drama “The Queen’s Gambit.” Taylor-Joy talks about the similarities between herself and her character, Beth, what it's like to shoot to stardom, and how she learned to play chess for the role. Photo credit: Pip/Netflix. For more Envelope exclusive awards season coverage, visit latimes.com/envelope and sign up for the Envelope newsletter. Sponsors inc...

Our guest is Jurnee Smollett, who plays Letitia “Leti” Lewis in HBO’s horror drama “Lovecraft Country.” Smollett talks about drawing on her own family history in preparation for this role, finding power through art, and playing charades with Samuel L. Jackson. Photo credit: Courtesy of Jurnee Smollett. For more Envelope exclusive awards season coverage, visit latimes.com/envelope and sign up for t...

Our guest is Andy Samberg, who recently starred in and produced Hulu’s romantic comedy “Palm Springs.” Samberg talks about what draws him to more serious acting roles, how “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” will address police brutality in the next season, and prepping for the dance numbers in “Palm Springs.” Photo credit: Ethan Miller. For more Envelope exclusive awards season coverage, visit latimes.com/envel...

Beginning Dec. 9, join Los Angeles Times television and film reporters Yvonne Villarreal and Mark Olsen every Wednesday to hear interviews with award season's top contenders, from the Golden Globes to the Oscars and everything in between. Our interview-style, entertainment podcast will showcase key voices from both TV and film. First in the series is Olsen’s interview with Andy Samberg about his f...

Writer and filmmaker Alex Garland joins host Mark Olsen to talk about his sci-fi thriller television series, “Devs.” Garland talks about the differences between working in film and television. Before “Devs,” Garland created the feature films “Ex Machina” and “Annihilation.” The complete limited series of “Devs” is now available on FX on Hulu.

Television writer and producer Dahvi Waller joins host Mark Olsen to talk about “Mrs. America,” FX on Hulu’s new miniseries based on the historical movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s. Waller discusses how the show explores the struggle to ratify the amendment and showcases the women at the center of the movement.

Writer-director Eliza Hittman joins host Mark Olsen to talk about her new film “Never Rarely Sometimes Always,” a drama focused on reproductive rights and a lack of local support. Hittman describes why she created this movie and what it’s been like to have a movie publicly released right when movie theaters began to close their doors worldwide.

A very special interview with film critic Kenneth Turan, recorded on his last day in the position of Times film critic after nearly 30 years. Host Mark Olsen has a wide-ranging conversation with Turan about his years reviewing film. He talks to Olsen about some of his most memorable reviews and reminisces on some of his interviews from decades ago. They talk about what it’s like being a film criti...

We’re talking “Tiger King” the new, hit Netflix docuseries that everyone’s been talking about. Plus, host Mark Olsen catches up with TV reporter Yvonne Villarreal who shares some of her favorite reality TV shows she suggests watching to help pass the time at home. And then, Olsen speaks with entertainment reporter Amy Kaufman about “Tiger King” and why so many people are binging on the series righ...

We’re back with more TV and film recommendations for you and your family while you’re spending some extra time at home. Our team is still self-isolated, so we continue to check in with our entertainment colleagues to see what they’re watching. LA Times film critic Justin Chang talks with host Mark Olsen about some light-hearted comedies he recommends for all of us to watch from home. Plus, TV Crit...

We’re taking a short break from our usual format to help guide listeners who may be staying home more often than usual. If you're wondering what to watch, what’s worth streaming now and what you can watch with your kids who are home from school… We’ve got you covered. Host Mark Olsen sits down with film reporter Jen Yamato to talk about specific genre films you may want to check out. Plus, televis...

(EDITOR’S NOTE: This episode was taped on March 11, 2020. Many new developments have emerged and continue to rapidly develop after the taping of this episode.) Entertainment business reporter Ryan Faughnder joins host Mark Olsen to talk about the impact of the coronavirus and how it’s affecting the Hollywood and entertainment industries. Plus, this week marked the final episode of HBO’s six-part d...

This week we’re following some of the latest in pop culture and Hollywood. First, host Mark Olsen speaks with two reporters who were actually in the courtroom during Harvey Weinstein’s trial in New York. We take a serious look at the trial and discuss what happens next and whether the verdict marks a milestone for survivors. Then, later in the show, we shift toward a lighter conversation about the...