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.

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.

Award-winning television dramatist and director Sally Wainwright talks to John Wilson about her formative cultural influences. After learning the art of screenwriting whilst working on Coronation Street, she made her name with her suburban comedy drama At Home With The Braithwaites. Her stories are usually set in the north of England including Last Tango in Halifax, and her 19th century historical series Gentleman Jack. Her most recent hit is Happy Valley, a crime drama that spanned a decade and three series, winning huge acclaim, viewing figures and multiple awards. Sally talks about her early obsession with television, and how the 1970s musical drama Rock Follies inspired her to become a television writer at a young age. She recalls her early career writing for BBC Radio 4's The Archers and the ITV soap Coronation Street and discusses the inspirations behind some of her biggest hits.

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.