Olivia Colman, 48, reflects on sex scenes with Empire of Light co-star Micheal Ward

Olivia Colman has reflected on filming sex scenes with on-screen lover Micheal Ward in Empire of Light, and talked about the moment she found out her mother is five years her junior.

The actress, 48, and the Top Boy star, 25, discussed some ‘slightly embarrassing’ moments during filming while speaking on a new episode of The Graham Norton Show set to air on New Year’s Eve.

The 1917 romantic drama directed by Sam Mendes stars Olivia as a film director, Hilary, who develops a relationship with a ticket salesman, Stephen, played by a much younger Michael.

Olivia said of the intimate scenes: “There was a moment in particular when I was straddling Michael in a compromising and slightly embarrassing situation and he said, ‘Today is my mother’s birthday.'”

When he said he was 43 years old, I said, “Okay, stop talking!”

Speaking further about the film, when asked if her role was written especially for her, Olivia said, “Apparently it was.” But Sam is so nice that he would say that anyway. He was watching The Crown at the time and he thought of me.

“We had a Zoom conversation during lockdown and I was like ‘okay yeah’ before I knew what it was about. It’s an incredible honor for him to write something for me.’

He added jokingly: “That was an amazing part, thank God. Can you imagine if it was rubbish?”

Michael, speaking about working with Olivia, said later on the show: “It was an amazing experience. It was amazing sharing the same space. I learned so much about being a real person – everyone had a real sense of humanity.

“If Olivia had been rude, I might have thought that this is how I need to be to achieve a certain level of success, but the fact that she is so charming showed me that I can be a good person and still be successful.”

Empire Of Light is a love story ‘set in a beautiful old cinema on the south coast of England in the 1980s’.

Filming for the project began in early February in Margate. The seaside town was transported to the 1980s when developers transformed the area surrounding Dreamland amusement park.

The project marked the first time that Sam had directed a film that he did not write with the help of a co-writer.

He produced the film with Pippa Harris through Neal Street Productions, reuniting with his former cinematographer Roger Deakins on the production.

Speaking of the film, Sam said in a statement: I have long been a fan of Searchlight and the dynamic way in which they have produced and released some of my favorite theatrical releases of recent years.

“This project is very close to my heart, and I couldn’t be happier that it has found its ideal home.”

Empire of Light will hit theaters on December 9.

Elsewhere on The Graham Norton show, Hugh Laurie said he’s very proud of his latest film, Romesh Ranganathan joked about working with Katherine Ryan, Leah Williamson said she relives England’s victory over and over again, and Cabaret stars Callum Scott Howells and Madeline Brewer performed live. in the study.

Hugh, speaking about his new film The Amazing Maurice, said: ‘I loved doing it and the animation is amazing, it’s great and I look really handsome as a cat! The movie is very funny and absolutely charming. I’m very proud of it.’

Speaking about the long-awaited second series of Avenue 5 and asking if her character’s accent (British pretending to be American) was a challenge, she said: “It actually gives you an escape route.” If you mess something up and it doesn’t sound right, you always have the excuse of a deliberate mistake.

“It seemed easier to me than doing House, which had to be right.”

Asked about her son, whom she describes as “a proper adult doctor”, and whether her choice of career was influenced by Hugh being House, she said: “No, I think he had to push himself despite Hugh’s taunts”. other medical students.

I am very, very proud of him. I’m the son of a doctor and also the father of a doctor, so I’m kind of a slice of ham between them!

Romesh, speaking about his new stand-up special The Cynic, said: “Most of the Netflix specials are done at the Apollo, so I thought it would be fun to do it at my local theater in Crawley, which looks like an entertainment center. “.

When asked about his new series The Romantic Getaway, he added: “I’ve written sitcoms that are very smooth with funny settings, but I’ve never written anything that’s so plot-driven – you want it to be funny but you also want to push this twisted story. It was unbelievable.’

Jokingly adding: “Despite playing a couple, Katherine (Ryan), who is a very good partner of mine, made it clear from the beginning that they would not touch each other, she stood her ground. In fact, I think it was a deal breaker for her!

Leah also joined Graham for a chat.

Asked what kind of pep talk he gave the team before winning the Euro, he said: “I just played music the whole time, so I let that do the talking.” He could have said something like, ‘Come on girls.’ It was discreet because everyone was ready. We had given our lives for that moment, so why not go out and enjoy it?

Speaking of winning, he added: ‘It was everything I hoped it would be and more. I hope I never lose that feeling. I relive it over and over again.

Callum Scott Howells and Madeline Brewer performed Willkommen and Don’t Tell Mama from the hit West End revival of Cabaret, before joining Graham for a chat.

The Graham Norton Show, BBC One, Saturday 31 December, 10:55 p.m. also Available on BBC iPlayer.