Here’s our March 2025 Podcast Roundup – our favourites from the worlds of CultBox.
In no particular order, this month’s picks are…
Virtually Parkinson interviews Steven Moffat
Doctor Who and Sherlock scribe Steven Moffat joined the AI version of the late Sir Michael Parkinson for a chat. It’s an interesting project, with the AI trained on the Parky archive – Michael’s son is part of the Virtually Parkinson project.
As well as being a remarkable vocal mimic, the AI takes the conversation to some interesting places. It quizzes Moffat on his writing inspirations and how mines his, and his friends, real life experiences. Fascinatingly, it also picks up on Moffat’s references to being bullied at school – something that human interviewers usually skip over. Moffat also reveals that he enjoys chatting to an AI in the mornings, an experience he finds “stimulating.”
As well as the interview itself, there’s analysis with Moffat and team on how it went – which is just as interesting. Previous guests have included singer Jason Derulo, comic Chris McCausland and footballer Jill Scott.
Back to One – Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Host Peter Rinaldi talks to Gugu Mbatha-Raw about her acting career, her preparation and her process. Fascinatingly, it involves scents! There’s naturally a focus on Surface – season 2 of the Apple TV+ thriller dropped in February, with Mbatha-Raw both starring and executive producing.
As ever, it’s a thoughtful chat as she considers how a grounding in Shakespeare provides the skills needed for working on fantastical shows like Loki. Plus, there’s a mention of working under prosthetics, doubtless in the forthcoming Doctor Who spin-off The War Between the Land and the Sea.
This month, Peter Rinaldi also spoke to Vincent D’Onofrio. The chat covered his forensic preparation style, working for Full Metal Jacket on Stanley Kubrick, and the rigours of his stint on Law and Order: Criminal Intent. Plus, there’s talk of his return to Marvel playing Wilson Fisk in Daredevil: Born Again.
David Tennant Does a Podcast with… Russell T Davies
The reuniting of David Tennant with his Doctor Who producer covers interesting topics, not just of the series but also of Davies’ wider work and his love of television. However, we do hear of the night when David Tennant was offered the role of the Doctor – he agreed on the proviso that his costume would feature a full-length coat.
The chat also dives into the personal, talking about RTD’s late husband and his brain tumour, as well as the wonderful eight years they spend together after his diagnosis.
This month, David Tennant also spoke the presenter, actor and activist Jameela Jamil, and the actor and foodie Stanley Tucci, and star of stage and screen Celia Imrie.
Brydon & Jason Issacs
Rob Brydon’s chat with Jason Issacs is a spirited affair, taking in The Death of Stalin, The Salt Path and why we won’t be hearing him in a musical any time soon.
Issacs also popped up on The News Agents this month, initially discussing The White Lotus, as well as balancing politics and career in MAGA America.
We Started Here with Lacey Turner: Mandip Gill: Working On Your Craft and Finding Your Style
Lacey Turner, who’s better known as Eastenders‘ Stacey Slater, has a new podcast which speaks to stars who got their start in soap operas. The interview with Mandip Gill takes us from childhood to her role as Phoebe McQueen on Hollyoaks, and on to Doctor Who.
Back in the feed, there’s also an interview in the feed with Anita Dobson. Primarily focussing her career changing role as Angie Watts in EastEnders, she also mentions playing the mysterious Mrs Flood on Doctor Who.
Doctor Who: Too Hot for TV – 40 Year Old Frozen Milk
The podcast devoted to the off-screen universe of Doctor Who talked adverts this month. From Sky Ray lollies to Weetabix, to peacenik Daleks promoting Kit-Kats, the chat goes in wonderfully bizarre directions. Some, like the flirty Prime Computer ads with Tom Baker and Lalla Ward we knew well, while others, such as Keep Australia Beautiful, were new to us.
Host Dylan Rees also popped up on The Doctor Who Show‘s Alternate Galaxies this month too, speaking of his love for The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy television show.
The Doctor Who Show – Don’t Read the Comments
Talking of The Doctor Who Show, their latest innovation is a lot of fun. In each short episode, host Rob delves beneath headline articles to look at, and respond to, the comments. The first instalment looked at the reaction to the Episode Titles reveal for Season Two, while the second enjoyed the reaction to “Nu Who” turning twenty on Facebook’s official Doctor Who page.
WHO Corner to Corner – Chris Chibnall returns to WHOC2C
Former Doctor Who showrunner is on the virtual WHOC2C sofa, this time talking about his debut novel Death at the White Hart.
There’s also chat about his forthcoming adaptation of Agatha Christie’s The Seven Dials Mystery for Netflix. Plus, he talks about his enthusiasm for the upcoming Big Finish audio range The Thirteenth Doctor Adventures, and how he’s tempted to write something for them.
Film Stories
This month Simon Brew tackled the tales behind X-Men: Apocalypse, Scent of a Woman, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Full Metal Jacket, Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret, The Fisher King, The Grey, Batman: The Movie (1966) and Young Adult.
He also spoke to The Russo Brothers about The Electric State, and the Oscar winning producer Irwin Winkler covering his impressive career.
So, happy listening… and do let us know if you have any recommendations.