This Cultural Life
This Cultural Life is a TV show on BBC4. What fired the imaginations of some of the greatest creative minds? John Wilson speaks to leading names in art and culture about their formative influences and inspirations. The program has been available since 2024. A total of 9 episodes have been broadcast, most recently in July 2025.
Last episode
This Cultural Life
The world's leading classical solo percussionist Evelyn Glennie talks to John Wilson about her career and picks out some of the key influences on her artistic path.
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Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason talks to John Wilson about his formative influences, including his paternal grandfather, Jacqueline du Pré, Mstislav Rostropovich and Bob Marley.
Screenwriter and playwright Abi Morgan talks to John Wilson about her creative influences.
Sir Salman Rushdie talks to John Wilson about his formative creative influences and experiences.
Nile Rodgers, composer, producer, guitarist and founding member of Chic, talks to John Wilson about his cultural influences.
Series 1
Actor and film-maker Sir Kenneth Branagh talks to John Wilson about the key influences and inspirations that have shaped his own work.
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.
TV writer and director Sally Wainwright talks to John Wilson about her formative cultural influences.