The South Bank Show

The South Bank Show, one of the UK’s most loved and longest standing arts and culture programmes, returns on Wednesday 20th July on Sky Arts, Freeview channel 11, and NOW with three brand new episodes...

Press Release

Edited and presented by Melvyn Bragg, the new three-part series of The South Bank Show showcases talent from the worlds of acting, comedy, and dance with films about Helen Mirren, Frank Skinner and Carlos Acosta.

Helen Mirren is one of the best-known and most respected actresses in the world, with a career that spans over 30 years. In the first episode of the series, she joins Melvyn to discuss her diverse and prolific career across theatre, film, and television, exploring a range of work including her early days at the Royal Shakespeare Company to her extraordinary Oscar winning performance in The Queen.

Comedian and writer Frank Skinner has become one of Britain’s best-loved and most successful comedians since his debut on the comedy circuit in 1987. Frank talks to Melvyn about his working-class upbringing, his decision to embark on a career as a comedian at the relatively late age of 30, and the success of his TV presenting career including Fantasy Football League and The Frank Skinner Show.

Cuban ballet superstar Carlos Acosta has captivated audiences around the world throughout his 30-year career. Celebrated for his athleticism, phenomenal technique and magnetic stage presence, Carlos talks to Melvyn about his life and career, starting with his childhood in Cuba and his performance at the Prix De Lausanne international youth ballet competition which made him the youngest ever principal with the English National Ballet.

Longer-form 90-minute episodes of The South Bank Show will also air in late-August, giving audiences the opportunity to learn more about the incredible careers of Helen, Frank and Carlos through extended interviews with host Melvyn Bragg.

The South Bank Sky Arts Awards is the only awards show in the world which celebrates every genre of the Arts, including Dance, Theatre, Pop, TV Drama, Film, Classical Musical, Literature, Opera, Comedy and Visual Art.

All nominees for the South Bank Sky Arts Awards 2022 will be released soon. Previous winners include Stormzy, Tom Hiddleston, Ian McEwan, Sam Mendes, Amy Winehouse, Steve Coogan, Grayson Perry, Akram Khan, Steve McQueen, Alan Bennett, and Kate Bush.

The South Bank Show is part of a portfolio of South Bank content on Sky Arts produced by Directors Cut Productions, which includes The South Bank Sky Arts Awards, the only awards ceremony in the world to represent the entire spectrum of the Arts.

The South Bank Sky Arts Awards will take place on Sunday 10th July at The Savoy London. The Awards broadcast airs on Wednesday 13th July, followed by The South Bank Show airing on Wednesday 20th July on Sky Arts, freeview channel 11, and streaming service NOW.

Image & info - Sky