Ella Purnell, star of the new series SweetPea, joins host Reshma Gopaldas to talk murder and mayhem. Ella plays Rhiannon Lewis who hits a breaking point and becomes a low key serial killer after suffering a major loss. Ella chats all about the comparisons to Dexter, and reveals which of her characters from Yellowjackets to Fallout would be taken ou…

Friend of the podcast - and star of the new Sky / Now serial killer darker-than-dark comedy drama Sweetpea - Ella Purnell returns to talk to Ali about playing Rhiannon, a character who often goes overlooked... until she starts taking things into her own hands. Murder-wise. A veteran of Fallout, and Yellowjackets before that (not forgetting Arcane),…

‘Fallout’ and ‘Yellowjackets’ star Ella Purnell plays the Off Menu game this week. It’s always the quiet ones… Ella Purnell stars in Sky Original ‘Sweetpea’ which is available on Sky and the streaming service NOW from 10 October. Follow Ella on Instagram @ella_purnell Recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive. Artwork by Paul Gilbey (photogra…

For this very special episode of BBC Radio 1's Screen Time, Ali got to visit Framestore, the legendary visual effects house where - amongst other things - the preposterously charming Paddington is brought to life. So that bathtub down the stairs scene? The barbershop chicanery?The hair-raising train sequence from the end of Paddington 2? These guys…

We welcome Bafta-winning actor and writer and ‘Spaced’ star Jessica Hynes to the Dream Restaurant this week, and she welcomes us to her restaurant. P.S. Once again, this is a disclaimer to say that no one is receiving a signed chopping board. Yes, we could edit this out, but it is funny. Jessica Hynes stars in ‘The Franchise’ which is available on …

Friends of the podcast Clarisse Loughrey (The Independent's chief filmcritic) and Mike Muncer (of Evolution Of Horror podcast fame) stop by to talk about three things: Joker: Folie à Deux, The Wild Robot and, um, Smile 2. As you probably worked out from the title of the episode here. Plus, Naomi Scott (the star of Smile 2) also pops up towards the …

Royal descendent Danny Dyer has a table booked at the Dream Restaurant this week, in what must be the sweariest Off Menu yet. Disclaimer: once again, we will not be sending anyone a signed chopping board. Danny Dyer stars in ‘Rivals’ which is available to stream from Friday 18 Oct on Disney+. Watch it here. Follow Danny on Instagram @officialdannyd…

Rachel Leishman (Assistant Editor, The Mary Sue) and Giovana Gelhoren join host Reshma Gopaldas to review Netflix's Nobody Wants This starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell. The new rom com series follows a podcaster (Bell) who falls for a Rabbi, and turns each of their lives around. Adam Brody starred as Seth Cohen on The OC and Kristen Bell got her…

When was the last time you went to your local cinema and watched a big, broad, people pleasing comedy? A Bridesmaids, a 22 Jump Street, A Step Brothers, a... Superbad? Stand-up comic and newfound friend of that there Ali Plumb, Rhys James, stops by the BBC Radio 1 studios to help answer that question as the pair look back on a movie that really del…

Rickrolling into the Dream Restaurant this week is British pop royalty, Rick Astley. We Never thought this would happen. Rick Astley’s autobiography ‘Never’ is out on 10th October, published by Pan Macmillan. Pre-order it here. Rick is also on a book tour – follow him on social media for dates and tickets. Follow Rick on Instagram @officialrickastl…

Guest co-host Giovana Gelhoren joins host Reshma Gopaldas to breakdown Season 4 of Emily in Paris, which finds Emily and Gabriel finally getting together. But Camille's false pregnancy, a new love interest for Emily, and Gabriel's long-haired depression upends the couple's newfound happiness. All four seasons of Emily in Paris are streaming on Netf…

Sophie Turner stops by to talk about her new ITV jewel-thief TV show Joan this week as Ali, bless him, battles a little cough. Poor wee lad. But despite this appalling illness, he struggles on, giving you a fun conversation with the one-time star of Game Of Thrones and the recent run of X-Men movies, ending up talking about the perils of the '80s, …

Rukmini Iyer – author of the best-selling ‘Roasting Tin’ cookbooks – is this week’s dream diner. Do we finally get an answer to 'what do I do with the heads?' Rukmini Iyer’s new book ‘The Green Cookbook’ is out now. Buy it here. Follow Rukmini on Instagram and Twitter @missminifer Recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive. Artwork by Paul Gil…

Mickey Sumner joins host Reshma Gopaldas for an episode to celebrate 4 years and the series finale of Snowpiercer, based on Parasite director Bong Joon Ho's 2013 film, starring Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, Ed Harris, Kang-ho Song, and Octavia Spencer. Sumner plays Bess Till, alongside co-stars Jennifer Connolly who plays Melanie Cavill, …

The always delightful Aimee Lou Wood returns to Radio 1's Screen Time to talk to Ali about her new BBC comedy Daddy Issues, a show where she stars alongside the legendary David Morrissey as a young mum forced to move in with the one person she never thought she would: her dad. Her dad who just so happens to not really have a clue about, well, anyth…

After nearly 6 years of Off Menu, we finally welcome friend, stand-up and podcast royalty Josh Widdicombe to the Dream Restaurant. And he‘s got a bone to pick about a previous episode… Trigger warning: this episode contains chat about dieting. Josh Widdicombe is on tour with his new show ‘Not My Cup of Tea’ from September 2025. Tickets are on this …

Yes, it's September - and not October, to be clear - but somehow it's a good time to talk about the state of horror (trust us), what with Speak No Evil out and James McAvoy stopping by to talk about his pleasingly nasty, socially awkward horror hitting cinemas. So! As well as Mister McAvoy, we also have a "state of the nation" when it comes to the …

‘Heartstopper’ star Joe Locke has a booking this week. We didn’t actually have any tables available, but then Lisa Fox got in touch and we found room. P.S. Under no circumstances is anyone being sent a signed chopping board. This is a joke by two professional comedians for comedic effect. Joe Locke stars in 'Agatha All Along' which is available on …

The not so good news: summer is starting the wrap up. You know, with the wind and the rain and the going back to school of it all... but! If you're a film fan, there are many reasons to be cheerful, with the next few months promising some VERY BIG and VERY EXCITING films, including some massive blockbuster sequels in the form of Paddington 3, Gladi…

‘EastEnders’ (and ‘Springleaf: The Audio Sitcom’) star Natalie Cassidy is this week’s dream diner. And maybe James is getting a part in the soap opera? Natalie podcast ‘Life with Nat’ is out now, wherever you get your podcasts. Listen here. Follow Natalie on Instagram @natcass1 and Twitter @nat_cassidy Recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosiv…

Friends of the show and fellow film superfans Clarisse Loughrey (of The Independent fame) and Ian Sandwell (of Digital Spy fame) join forces with our Ali once again to tackle some of the biggest - and smallest, to be honest - releases that have come our way over the past few weeks or so. Expect their thoughts on Kneecap, Trap, Alien Romulus, The Mi…

There ain’t no party like an Off Menu party. S Club’s Rachel Stevens joins us in the Dream Restaurant this week, and we finally find out what the S stands for. Rachel Stevens is working with Activia to promote good gut health. For more info visit rachelstevens.com Rachel’s autobiography ‘Finding My Voice’ is out now. Buy it here. Follow Rachel Stev…

With well over a billion dollars under its belt, it's safe to say that Deadpool And Wolverine has been a big ol' success. It's reinvigorated the Marvel Cinematic Universe, made a lot of people laugh, made a lot of people scream (with delight), made a lot of people rush to the internet to work out all the Easter eggs and references and hat-tips. Wit…

AEW wrestler Will Ospreay is this week’s dining guest, and he’s impressed by Ed (and James’s) wrestling experience. But can he help with James’s kitchen? AEW All In is at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 25th August. Get tickets here. AEW Dynamite/Collision is at the Utilita Arena in Cardiff tonight, Wednesday 21st August. Find any last-minute tickets her…

With xenomorphs back in cinemas, Ali and friend of the show Ian Nathan - who just so happens to have written the book / documentary on the subject,no big deal - sit down to discuss just why we love the original two Alien films so much. Plus, as a bonus, director of Alien Romulus (and fellow die hard Alien fan) Fede Álvarez stops by at the end with …

Ted Lasso’s Jamie Tartt (doo-doo-da-doo-da-doo), Phil Dunster, introduces some new vocabulary to the Dream Restaurant this week. And don’t forget, tune in to Comic Relief. Phil Dunster stars in ‘Oklahoma! in Concert’ at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 19th and 20th August. Get tickets at oklahomaconcert.co.uk Follow Phil on Instagram and Twitt…

As you'll have seen from the very last trailer - and let's be honest, from watching the movie itself - the wonderful Dafne Keen returns as Laura / X-23 in Deadpool And Wolverine, and was more than happy to chat to Ali (in spoilerific detail) about her time on set for this very special interview podcast, talking about working with the legendary Hugh…

Superb stand-up, writer and podcaster Amy Annette – who, already, is frequently mentioned on Off Menu – is this week’s guest. Remember: always order an extra egg in a ramen. Amy Annette’s debut solo show ‘Thick Skin’ is at the Edinburgh Fringe, Pleasance Courtyard, until the 25th August. Buy tickets here. Listen to Amy’s podcast ‘What Women Want’ o…

There's one big film in cinemas right now - okay, two, Twisters is still holding strong, let's give it some respect - but for a lot of us blockbuster botherers, it's all about Deadpool And Wolverine these days, so here we have Ali (and Clarisse and Ian)'s thoughts on Marvel's box office record-breaking return to form. Oh, and with some guy called R…

‘Black Ops’ star and BAFTA-nominated actor Hammed Animashaun has a booking this week. But will Colonel Sanders and Mr Kipling be dining with him? Hammed Animashaun is currently starring in ‘Kiss Me Kate’ at the Barbican Theatre in London until 14 September. Get tickets at kissmekatemusical.com Follow Hammed on Instagram @hammedhamz Recorded and edi…

Deadpool And Wolverine - undeniably the film of the summer - is finally, at long, long last, in cinemas. Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds have been doing all the press opportunities they can lay their claws / katanas on to drum up interest - and it's safe to say there are more than a few people out there keen to see their motion picture. The trouble …

‘Derry Girls’ and ‘The Decameron’ star Saoirse-Monica Jackson joins us in the Dream Restaurant this week. And we’re all getting Nike ticks shaved on our heads. Saoirse-Monica Jackson stars in ‘The Decameron’ which launched on Netflix on 25th July. Watch it here. Follow Saoirse-Monica on Instagram @saoirsemonicajackson Recorded and edited by Ben Wil…

Special guest co-host and comedian Vick Krishna joins host Reshma Gopaldas to break down the first half of season 3 of The Bear on Hulu. Starring Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Oliver Platt, Jamie Lee Curtis, Olivia Colman, and more. Vick and Reshma rate how this season of The Bear stacks up against the award winning seasons 1…

The week before Deadpool And Wolverine hits cinemas, Ali sits down with friend of the show Aoife Wilson - the excellent and much-admired gaming journalist, as well as die-hard X-Men fan - to finally dig into the other big mutant release, X-Men '97. Critically acclaimed and a reminder that these characters have enormous potential on the big screen, …

Model-turned-stand-up comic Michelle de Swarte is this week’s guest diner. And Ed and James are amazed to find out she doesn’t know a childhood song. Trigger warning: this episode has chat about dieting. Michelle de Swarte’s new sitcom ‘Spent’ is on BBC Two, Mondays at 10pm. Watch is on BBC iPlayer. Follow Michelle on Instagram @michelledeswarte Re…