
SIR IAN MCKELLEN: Christophers and some unfinished business…
From Kermode & Mayo’s Take by Sony Music Entertainment
May 7, 2026 · 1h 15m · Season 1 · Episode 227
About this episode
Sir Ian McKellen discusses his new film 'The Christophers' and shares insights on his career and experiences.
Some exciting news—The Take is now on Patreon: www.patreon.com/kermodeandmayo Become a Vanguardista or an Ultra Vanguardista to get video episodes of Take Two every week, plus member-only chat rooms, polls and submissions to influence the show, behind-the-scenes photos and videos, the monthly Redactor’s Roundup newsletter, and access to a new fortnightly LIVE show—a raucous, unfiltered lunchtime special with the Good Doctors, new features, and live chat so you can heckle, vote, and have your questions read out in real time. This week’s very special guest is a living legend and bona fide National Treasure: Sir Ian McKellen. He chats to Simon from the comfort of his very own East London pub The Grapes about his new film ‘The Christophers’. This Steven Soderbergh directed drama of art, family feuds and friendship is a late-career gem from McKellen, who plays cantankerous celebrity artist Julian Sklar in an unlikely and uneasy friendship with Michaela Coel’s Laurie, his new assistant. Sir Ian and Simon prop up the bar and talk grumpy old men, unfinished business… and what it’s like to be Gandalf. Mark will review The Christophers next week, but for now we’ve got three more fresh film…
People in this episode
Host: Simon
Guest: Sir Ian McKellen
Topics covered
- film
- interview
- celebrity
- art
- friendship
- reviews
Keywords
- Ian McKellen
- The Christophers
- film review
- celebrity artist
- Hugh Jackman
- Michaela Coel
- interview
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Sony Music Entertainment
Books & works: The Christophers, The Sheep Detectives
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