Best Stephen Levinson Podcasts (2025)

1
The Convergence Is Here (ft. Gareth Evans, Christian Gudegast, and Gavin O'Connor), And Mount Rushmoreapalooza 1:55:20

2d ago1:55:20

1:55:20

It was foretold by the Ancient Ones: The Convergence (or Gunvergence, if you will), the day on which three absolutely slamming action movies will be released at the same time in the UK (albeit on different formats), ushering in a new era of sweaty dad bods, car chases, and many scenes where people die in a hail of bullets. And that day is today, fo…

1
The Shameless Plug #2 — The June Issue 31:57

8h ago31:57

31:57

The Shameless Plug returns, folks, for a second glorious episode in which Chris Hewitt and Empire editor, Nick de Semlyen, sit down in the podbooth and tell you how (and why) the sausage is made. That sausage being the new issue of Empire, which is on sale now in all good, evil, and virtual newsagents. Our dynamic duo talk through the month's big c…

1
504: Ryan Coogler Ludwig Goransson on The Music Of Sinners 41:01

2d ago41:01

41:01

Our latest guests on Soundtracking are friends of the show, but have never been on together. So it's an absolute delight to welcome Ryan Coogler and Ludwig Goranssen to discuss their collaboration on Ryan's new film, Sinners. Starring Michael B. Jordan in a dual role, it tells the story of twin brothers who return to their hometown, only to be conf…

1
Thomas Lennon, Jaime Moyer, Mark Steinbach, Lisa Curry - Dirty Dancing 07 40:49

5d ago40:49

40:49

Dirty Dancing - Chapter 7 Featuring a chapter novelized by ⁠⁠Lisa Curry and narrated by ⁠Thomas Lennon & Debra DiGiovanni, plus an interview with ⁠⁠Mark Steinbach. Hosted by Dave Hill. Thomas Patrick Lennon is an actor, screenwriter, comedian, and author. He's a founding member of The State, writer of Night at the Museum, and author of the Ronan Bo…

1
Easter Guestapalooza (Steve Coogan, Jonathan Pryce, Ray Mendoza, Alex Garland, Ludwig Göransson, Osgood Perkins), Movie Musicals, And The Oscars' Latest Stunt 1:59:21

9d ago1:59:21

1:59:21

This week's Empire Podcast (episode 664 if you're keeping score!) is more packed with goodness than your average Easter egg. Not only do Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, and Alex Godfrey get into a discussion about what exactly makes a musical a musical (along with an impromptu visit to a certain mountain), but they tackle the week's movie news, includi…

1
503: Kevin Macdonald On The Music Of One To One: John & Yoko 34:42

11d ago34:42

34:42

Our latest guest on Soundtracking is Kevin Macdonald, who joins us to discuss his extraordinary documentary, One To One: John & Yoko. Set in the period between 1971-73 when the pair lived in a tiny apartment New York's Greenwich Village, it revolves around the footage of their One To One benefit concert at Madison Square Garden, which was, remarkab…

1
David Wain, Grant O'Brien, Ursula Lawrence - Dirty Dancing 06 28:04

12d ago28:04

28:04

Dirty Dancing - Chapter 6 Featuring a chapter novelized by ⁠⁠Ursula Lawrence and narrated by ⁠David Wain, plus an interview with ⁠⁠Grant O'Brien. Hosted by Dave Hill. David Wain is best known for The State, Wet Hot American Summer, Role Models, Stella, Wainy Days, Wanderlust, They Came Together, Children's Hospital, A Futile Gesture, and Medical Po…

1
Kevin Macdonald on One To One: John & Yoko — An Empire Podcast Interview Special 29:25

16d ago29:25

29:25

Kevin Macdonald's latest documentary, One To One: John & Yoko, is out now in cinemas around the UK, folks, and it's well worth your time for anyone with even a passing interest in John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, and their lives after The Beatles split up. But if you're a Beatlemaniac, this is manna from heaven as it not only brings you remaster…

1
Ralph Fiennes & Juliette Binoche, Rami Malek & Laurence Fishburne, Christopher Landon, Movie Weddings, And Helen Returns! 1:57:56

16d ago1:57:56

1:57:56

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast is jam-packed etc. etc. Bumper-sized, and so on and so forth. But it's true, perhaps this week more than ever as Chris Hewitt sits down for chats with two pairs — first, there's Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche, who reunite almost 30 years after The English Patient for this week's Odyssey-sampling drama, …

1
502: Severance Special: Live At Everyman King's Cross 1:06:38

18d ago1:06:38

1:06:38

Edith is joined by now fewer than EIGHT people involved with the hit show, as Ben Stiller, creator Dan Erickson and actors Adam Scott, Zach Cherry, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Dichen Lachman & Gwendoline Christie share their insights in front of an audience. We also have a separate chat with Ben, which is more focussed on the music.…

1
Samantha Bee, Courtney Pauroso, Liz Lent - Dirty Dancing 05 32:08

19d ago32:08

32:08

Dirty Dancing - Chapter 5 Featuring a chapter novelized by ⁠⁠Liz Lent and narrated by ⁠Samantha Bee, plus an interview with ⁠⁠Courtney Pauroso. Hosted by Dave Hill. Samantha Bee is a comedian, writer, and producer who rose to fame as the longest-serving correspondent on "The Daily Show" before creating and hosting "Full Frontal with Samantha Bee" f…

1
Will Poulter, Amber Midthunder, Beatles, Avengers, And Farewell To Val Kilmer 1:40:20

23d ago1:40:20

1:40:20

This week's Empire Podcast sees the long-awaited return of one of our favourite guests, the wonderful British actor Will Poulter, who talks to Chris Hewitt about his role in the new movie, Death Of A Unicorn, playing a prize A-hole, and impromptu tongue-twisters. [20:38 - 33:28 approx]Another returning guest joins us this week, as the delightful Am…

1
501: Christopher Andrews & Hannah Peel On The Music Of Bring Them Down 35:43

24d ago35:43

35:43

Our latest guests on Soundtracking are writer/director Christopher Andrews and composer Hannah Peel, who join Edith to discuss their collaboration on Christopher's dark, debut feature, Bring Them Down. Counting Christopher Abbott, Barry Keoghan and Nora-Jane Noone among its excellent cast, it tells the story of a family of Irish sheepherders who ar…

1
Liz Miele, Shannon O'Neill, Mickie Cathers - Dirty Dancing 04 32:06

26d ago32:06

32:06

Dirty Dancing - Chapter 4 Featuring a chapter novelized by ⁠⁠Mickie Cathers and narrated by ⁠Liz Miele, plus an interview with ⁠⁠Shannon O'Neill. Hosted by Dave Hill. Liz Miele has appeared on Comedy Central, Fox, Hulu, NPR’s “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me” and CBS’s After Midnight. She’s been featured in The New Yorker, NY Times, Runner’s World, and the…

1
George MacKay, Irwin Winkler, And The Avengers Doomsday Cast Announcement 1:59:44

1M ago1:59:44

1:59:44

We start on a director's chair. We pull back to reveal its back. On it is emblazoned a name. That name? George MacKay, the wonderful star of this week's thought-provoking original movie musical, Joshua Oppenheimer's The End, who pops into the podbooth to have a good old natter [from 30:49 - 48:20 approx] with... We pull back. It's another director'…

1
The Shameless Plug #1 — The May 2025 Issue 34:25

28d ago34:25

34:25

Welcome to The Shameless Plug, a brand new Empire Podcast regular show, folks. As the title suggests, every month Chris Hewitt will sit down with Empire editor, Nick de Semlyen, for a deep dive into the latest issue of Empire, bringing you the stories behind the stories and covering everything including the cover. This month's cover feature is Thun…

1
500: Stephen Graham & Philip Barantini On Adolescence to celebrate our 500th Episode, With Birthday Messages From Friends Of The Show & Listeners 1:02:07

1M ago1:02:07

1:02:07

We celebrate our 500th episode in the company of Stephen and Philip - but also friends of the show and you, with many wonderful contributions reflecting upon our mutual love of film score and music. In addition to messages from listeners, we hear from Hans ZImmer, Ben Wheatley, Sam Taylor-Johnson, Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch and Daniel Pemberton.…

1
Michael Ian Black, H. Jon Benjamin, Abbi Crutchfield - Dirty Dancing 03 35:07

1M ago35:07

35:07

Dirty Dancing - Chapter 3 Featuring a chapter novelized by ⁠⁠Abbi Crutchfield and narrated by ⁠Michael Ian Black, plus an interview with ⁠⁠H. Jon Benjamin. Hosted by Dave Hill. Each season on The Novelizers, we take a beloved film, then get comedy writer (from SNL, The Simpsons, Colbert, and more) to turn it into a hilarious audiobook, narrated by …

1
Barry Levinson, Gints Zilbalodis, Snakes On A Podcast, And The Convergence 1:43:06

1M ago1:43:06

1:43:06

It's another bumper-sized edition of the Empire Podcast this week, folks, in which Chris Hewitt sits down on Zoom with the legendary director, Barry Levinson, on the eve of the release of his new gangster movie, The Alto Knights, starring Robert De Niro, Robert De Niro and Robert De Niro's dogs. [23:31 - 40:13 approx] Then, we also hear from Gints …

1
Barry Levinson & Irwin Winkler On The Alto Knights 52:53

1M ago52:53

52:53

Our latest guests on Soundtracking are director Barry Levinson and producer Irwin Winkler, who join us separately to discuss their collaboration on The Alto Knights. Starring Robert De Niro in two roles, The Alto Knights tells the story of two young friends who rise through the ranks of the New York mafia, only to have a reckoning in later life. as…

1
Hans Zimmer And Paul Dugdale: An Empire Podcast Interview Special 32:15

1M ago32:15

32:15

This week sees the release of Hans Zimmer And Friends: Diamond In The Desert, a concert film like no other, which captures the great Hans Zimmer and his band in full flow in Dubai, and also intersperses a number of revealing interviews Zimmer conducted with the likes of Christopher Nolan, Zendaya, Billie Eilish, Pharrell Williams, Denis Villeneuve,…

1
Hans Zimmer & Paul Dugdale Discuss Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond In The Desert 31:38

1M ago31:38

31:38

Our latest guests on Soundtracking in what has been an exceedingly busy period are Hans Zimmer and Paul Dugdale, who join me to discuss their collaboration on the documentary, Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond In The Desert. Featuring conversations with Billie Eilish, Finneas, Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve, Jerry Bruckheimer, Johnny Marr, Pharre…

1
Jesse Thorn, Jordan Morris, Angela Giarratana - Dirty Dancing 02 35:37

1M ago35:37

35:37

Dirty Dancing - Chapter 2 Featuring a chapter novelized by ⁠⁠Jordan Morris and narrated by ⁠Jesse Thorn, plus an interview with ⁠⁠Angela Giarratana. Hosted by Dave Hill. Each season on The Novelizers, we take a beloved film, then get comedy writer (from SNL, The Simpsons, Colbert, and more) to turn it into a hilarious audiobook, narrated by comedia…

1
Steven Soderbergh On The Music Of Black Bag 44:29

1M ago44:29

44:29

Our latest episode of Soundtracking sees a return to the podcast of Steven Soderbergh, who joins us to discuss his spy thriller, Black Bag. Counting Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender among its excellent cast, Black Bag tells the story of an intelligence agent whose husband is assigned to investigate her when she is suspected of espionage. Black…

1
Millie Bobby Brown & Chris Pratt, Michael Fassbender & Marisa Abela, Best Fourth Parts, And The Number 12 1:45:28

1M ago1:45:28

1:45:28

Welcome to episode 659 (yes, we're keeping count) of The Empire Podcast, folks. And it's a belter, as Chris Hewitt sits down on Zoom with The Electric State's Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt to talk about their favourite Russo brother, accents, and which one will attend the parade if/when Liverpool win this year's Premier League title. [23:34 -3…

1
Composer Bear McCreary Discusses His Career 45:36

1M ago45:36

45:36

Our latest guest on Soundtracking is composer Bear McCreary, who joins us to discuss his career ahead of his Themes And Variations Tour, which kicks off at Indigo 02 on April 18th before heading around Europe and the US. Bear has compiled an extraordinary body of work across film, TV and video gaming, including Battlestar Galactica, Outlander, The …

1
Karan Kandhari & Paul Banks Discuss The Music Of Sister Midnight 28:51

2M ago28:51

28:51

Our latest guests on Soundtracking are Karan Kandhari and Paul Banks of Interpol fame, who join Edith to discuss their collaboration on Karan's brilliant black comedy, Sister Midnight. Set in Mumbai, it tells the story of a woman whose unhappy arranged marriage spirals into darkness as she morphs into a ruthless, feral force within the confines of …

1
Rachel Dratch, Matteo Lane, Rich Talarico - Dirty Dancing 01 37:43

2M ago37:43

37:43

Dirty Dancing - Chapter 1 Featuring a chapter novelized by ⁠⁠Rich Talarico⁠ and narrated by ⁠Rachel Dratch, plus an interview with ⁠⁠Matteo Lane⁠. Hosted by Dave Hill. Each season on The Novelizers, we take a beloved film, then get comedy writer (from SNL, The Simpsons, Colbert, and more) to turn it into a hilarious audiobook, narrated by comedians…

1
Jack Huston, Bong Joon Ho, The Oscars, and The Greatness Of Gene Hackman 1:50:16

2M ago1:50:16

1:50:16

This week's Empire Podcast features two cracking interviews with two directors at different stages of their career. First, actor-turned-director Jack Huston sits down on Zoom and tells Chris Hewitt how he managed to make his directorial debut, the black-and-white drama Day Of The Fight, recruiting Joe Pesci for a supporting role, and the influence …

1
OSCARS SPECIAL: Sean Baker Discusses His Multiple-Winning Film Anora 21:06

2M ago21:06

21:06

In an interview we posted a few months back on our Youtube channel, Soundracking Extra, Sean discusses his incredible film, including the decision to include Take That. And it indeed feels like The Greatest Day to share it with you in podcast form. Huge congratualations to Sean and his team.By Edith Bowman

1
Pamela Anderson, Naomi Ackie, And Farewell To Gene Hackman 1:37:19

2M ago1:37:19

1:37:19

Don't call it a comeback. This week's episode of the Empire Podcast sees Pamela Anderson, star of Baywatch and Barb Wire, sit down with Alex Godfrey to tell him about how Gia Coppola's The Last Showgirl has given her a second chance in Hollywood. [23:46 - 38:29 approx] Our other interview sees Mickey 17 (out next Friday, fact fans!) star Naomi Acki…

1
Robert De Niro & Eric Newman Discuss Zero Day 35:05

2M ago35:05

35:05

Our latest guests on Soundtracking are Eric Newman and Robert De Niro, who join us to discuss Bob's starring role in Eric's new Netflix show, Zero Day,. which is available to stream in full now. Featuring a great ensemble cast, it stars Bob as a former president charged with investigating a devastating cyber attack. We also dip into the archives to…

1
Tatiana Maslany, Stephen King Adaptations, And What's Up With Bond? 1:35:29

2M ago1:35:29

1:35:29

After the guestapaloozas of recent weeks, we're back to just one guest on this week's Empire Podcast. But what a guest it is, as the great Tatiana Maslany, star of the new Stephen King adaptation The Monkey, pops up on Zoom to talk with Chris Hewitt about death and Comedy Bang Bang. [25:00 - 43:07 approx] In the podbooth, Chris is joined by Helen O…

1
Disney+ original series A Thousand Blows: An Empire and Pilot TV Podcast Special 54:30

2M ago54:30

54:30

Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight heads to the mean streets of Victorian London for A Thousand Blows on Disney+, and what better way to celebrate than with a special Pilot TV/Empire crossover podcast? Chris Hewitt, James Dyer and Kay Ribeiro get under the skin of Knight’s latest period piece, which combines bare-knuckle boxing with organised cri…

1
Vocal Coach To The Stars Eric Vetro Discusses His Career 42:17

2M ago42:17

42:17

Our latest guest on Soundtracking is Eric Vetro, one of Hollywood's premier vocal coaches who's worked on the likes of Elvis, A Complete Unknown, Wicked and Maria, to name just some of many. As you know, we like to shine a spotlight on those people who don't necessarily get the wider acclaim they deserve when it comes to their importance to the fil…

1
Harrison Ford; Renee Zellweger, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Leo Woodall; Danny Ramirez 1:58:59

2M ago1:58:59

1:58:59

It's a brave new world for the Empire Podcast this week, folks, as Chris Hewitt welcomes a quintet (not to be confused with a Quinjet, although a couple of them might have access to one) of amazing guests. From the latest MCU film, Captain America: Brave New World, Chris first chats to Danny Ramirez, aka Joaquin Torres, aka the new Falcon, about fo…

1
Daniel Blumberg On His Remarkable Score For The Brutalist 37:51

2M ago37:51

37:51

Our latest guest on Soundtracking is Daniel Blumberg, who might, by the time you're listening to this, have picked up a BAFTA for his incredible score to The Brutalist. It's Friday morning as we record this, so who knows what Sunday will bring (or indeed Oscar Night)? Regardless, Daniel has done an extraordinary job of providing the sonic backdrop …

1
Soundtracking Everyman Film Club Live With Jesse Eisenberg 40:49

3M ago40:49

40:49

We have such a treat for you on our latest episode, as we bring you the conversation Edith had awith writer, director and star of A Real Pain, Jesse Eisenberg, in the latest of our Soundtracking Everyman Film Clubs. Also featuring a brilliant turn by Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain tells the story of two cousins who visit Poland to honour their family's…

1
Ke Huy Quan, John Magaro, Chris Sanders, And The Shrek Is Broken 1:56:39

3M ago1:56:39

1:56:39

Another bumper-sized edition of the Empire Podcast this week, as Chris Hewitt sits down on Zoom for chats with a trio of terrific talents. First, there's Ke Huy Quan on Love Hurts, the action movie that represents his first lead role, and first movie since winning an Oscar for Everything Everywhere All At Once. [17:33 - 34:18 approx] Then there's J…

1
Soundtracking Everyman Film Club Live: Emilia Perez Special 32:39

3M ago32:39

32:39

We have another of our Soundtracking Everyman Film Club shows for you today, which we thought we'd share as a bonus episode to mark the extraordinary recognition the musical drama Emilia Perez has received. Landing a whopping 13 Oscar nominations, Emilia Perez tells the story of a Mexican lawyer who is offered an unusual job of helping a notorious …

1
Gary Yershon On His Work With Mike Leigh 37:35

3M ago37:35

37:35

Our latest guest on Soundtracking is composer Gary Yershon, who joins us to reflect up 3 decades of collaborations with Mike Leigh, and more specifically Mike's latest movie, Hard Truths. Starring Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Michele Austin, and David Webber, the plot follows the plight of a depressed and nay-saying woman and the relationship with her j…

1
Angelina Jolie, Jason Reitman, David Jonsson & An SNL Mount Rushmore 1:59:52

3M ago1:59:52

1:59:52

It's another bumper, jam-packed edition of the Empire Podcast this week, folks! The great Angelina Jolie heads up our trio of amazing guests, as she talks to John Nugent about taking on the challenge of playing the legendary opera singer, Maria Callas, in Pablo Larrain's Maria. [20:48 - 34:02 approx] Plus, Chris Hewitt has a fascinating chat with J…

1
Jason Reitman On The Music Of Saturday Night 42:23

3M ago42:23

42:23

Our latest guest on Soundtracking is Jason Reitman, director and co-writer of Saturday Night. The story follows producer Lorne Michaels and a team of writers, comedians and crew as they prepare for the 1975 premier of Saturday Night, which of course became Saturday Night Live. Remarkably, and in keeping with the spirit of the show, composer Jon Bat…

1
Michelle Yeoh, Adrien Brody: Oscar Winners And Oscar Nominations 1:47:21

3M ago1:47:21

1:47:21

This week's episode of the Empire Podcast brings you not one but two Oscar winners, as first Chris Hewitt sits down with Michelle Yeoh to talk about her new Star Trek movie, Section 31, and how the Best Actress Oscar for Everything Everywhere All At Once changed her life [20:56 - 36:39 approx]; then, John Nugent has a fascinating chat with The Brut…

1
Brady Corbet & Guy Pearce On The Music Of The Brutalist 37:03

3M ago37:03

37:03

Our latest guests on Soundtracking are Brady Corbet and Guy Pearce, respectively director and star of multi-award winning film, The Brutalist. In it, Adrien Brody plays a Hungarian-born Jewish architect who survives the Holocaust and emigrates to the United States, where he struggles to achieve the American Dream until a wealthy client changes his …

1
Jesse Eisenberg & Kieran Culkin, James Mangold, Christopher Abbott, and Farewell To David Lynch 2:39:16

3M ago2:39:16

2:39:16

This week's Empire Podcast sees Chris Hewitt, Alex Godfrey and Beth Webb bid a sad, but heartfelt, farewell to the great David Lynch, who has died at the age of 78. It's also an epic epitaph in many ways, clocking in at around 40 minutes, as the trio, all huge Lynch fans, pay tribute to the genius behind Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, Mulholland Dr., Twi…

1
James Mangold & Monica Barbaro On The Music Of A Complete Unknown 53:39

3M ago53:39

53:39

Our latest guest on Soundtracking is James Mangold - a returning hero - who joins us to discuss his Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown. And, as a bonus, we also have a wee chat with Monica Barbaro, who plays Joan Baez in the movie, in what's a simply divine performance. Starring Timothee Chalomet, A Complete Unknown follows Dylan's early success …

1
#650 (live from Kings Place, London) ft. Nick Frost, Harris Dickinson, Claes Bang, Joe Alwyn 2:41:12

4M ago2:41:12

2:41:12

Here it is, folks. The 650th episode (if you don't count all the other episodes) of the Empire Podcast, recorded live on Friday January 10th in front of a sell-out crowd at our spiritual home of Kings Place, London. And it's an absolute belter, in which Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Beth Webb show barely a passing awareness of the wee…

1
Pablo Larrain Talks Maria 34:01

4M ago34:01

34:01

Our latest guest on Soundtracking is Pablo Larrain, who returns to the podcast to discuss the release of his stunning biopic, Maria. Starring Angelena Jolie as Maria Callas, it follows the seven days before the opera singer's death in 1977 Paris as she reflects upon her life and career.By Edith Bowman

1
#649 ft. Florence Pugh & Andrew Garfield; Nicholas Hoult; Giovanni Ribisi 1:59:24

4M ago1:59:24

1:59:24

We're back! Yes, after a whole week off for the Christmas holidays, the Empire Podcast has returned to darken your aural doors once more, and the first pod of 2025 is an absolute belter, as Chris Hewitt sits down with four incredible guests. First, he talks carousel horses and chocolate with We Live In Time stars, Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield.…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Stephen Levinson Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide