This Cultural Life

Glenda Jackson talks to John Wilson about her most important cultural influences, including the impact of three key figures on her life and career: theatre director Peter Brook, film-maker Ken Russell, and Margaret Thatcher, who galvanised her to give up acting and move into politics.

Violinist Nicola Benedetti reveals the influences and experiences that have led her to become one of the world's greatest classical musicians.

Comedian, actor and composer Tim Minchin, the songwriter behind Matilda the Musical, reveals his creative influences.

Over six decades, Ken Loach has forged a reputation as Britain's foremost politically engaged film-maker, exploring issues of social justice, freedom and power. He has twice won the prestigious Palme d'Or award at the Cannes Film Festival, in 2006 for The Wind That Shakes the Barley, and twenty years later, for I, Daniel Blake, a contemporary British story about unemployment and poverty.

Ken talks to John Wilson about the key moments in his life that helped shaped his creativity. From his Midlands childhood as the son of a factory worker and annual summer holidays in Blackpool to his love for Czech cinema, which would become a huge inspiration on his own career. He also discusses his films for television such as Up the Junction and Cathy Come Home, which tackled abortion, unemployment and homelessness, and were each seen by more than 10 million people, while playing an influential part in the public debate about the issues.

Ken Loach also chooses, as a major influence on his work, the real lives of ordinary people, whose stories have inspired his films throughout his career.

John Wilson talks to award-wining author Margaret Atwood about the experiences that shaped her writing.

Actor Whoopi Goldberg reveals the most important influences and experiences that shaped her own creativity.

TV writer and director Sally Wainwright talks to John Wilson about her formative cultural influences.

Award-winning artist Jeremy Deller discusses his career and creative influences with John Wilson.

Dame Judi Dench talks to John Wilson about her biggest cultural influence: William Shakespeare.

Singer-songwriter Boy George talks to John Wilson about his formative cultural influences.

Actor, comedian, presenter and writer Sir Michael Palin talks to John Wilson about his formative creative influences.

Actor Juliette Binoche talks to John Wilson about the formative influences that shaped her career.

Director and screenwriter Peter Kosminsky talks to John Wilson about the experiences and influences that shaped his career.

Oscar-winning film editor Thelma Schoonmaker talks to John Wilson about the turning points of her career.