Terry Gross

(1.) Actor, writer, and producer RIZ AHMED. He stars in the new Prime Video series Bait, and in the upcoming film Hamlet, a modern reimagining of Shakespeare's *classic set in London's South Asian community (in theaters April 10th). Ahmed has built a distinctive career in film and television, from a rebellious intelligence officer in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, a young Pakistani American on trial for murder in HBO's The Night Of, a performance that made him the first Muslim and first South Asian man to win the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor.

Ryan Gosling plays an astronaut in this derivative, carefully manufactured crowd-pleaser; Project Hail Mary doesn't feel like storytelling so much as mechanical engineering.

Book Binder, who died March 3, was known for Southern blues and hillbilly music, and great story telling. He recorded with Fresh Air in 1987, playing music and reflecting on his career on the road.

Mardsen starred in the original Jury Duty, an experimental show about one man who becomes part of a staged fake jury. Now the series is back with a new setting. Originally broadcast May 2, 2023.

Grammy-award winning singer, songwriter and actor JILL SCOTT. She recently released her sixth studio album “To Whom This May Concern”--her first new music in a decade. SCOTT has been making music for more than 25 years. Her 2000 debut, “Who Is Jill Scott?: Words and Sounds Vol. 1” was well received with double platinum sales, three Grammy nominations and a sound that helped define neo-soul.

ward winning British author FRANCIS SPUFFORD. His books have won the Costa Book Award, The Ondaatje Prize and have been long listed for the Booker Prize.They include Cahokia Jazz - a 1920’s noir crime novel set in an alternate American history where a sovereign majority indigenous nation-state thrives in the middle of the United States, and Golden HIll a novel set in 18th century New York. Spufford’s new novel, called Nonesuch, takes place in London during the war as the city must try to survive the Blitz - the 8-month bombing campaign led by the Nazis that killed over 40,00 British.

TV critic DAVID BIANCULLI reviews the new movie “Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man,” the sequel to the popular British TV series Peaky Blinders. It already opened in theaters, and will be available on Netflix Friday.

Three weeks into the U.S. and Israel's war with Iran, it remains unclear how or when the conflict might end. When asked by a reporter on Sunday if he was ready to declare victory, President Trump responded, "no, I don't want to do that. There's no reason to."

Biographer Daniel Okrent discusses Sondheim's approach to writing music and lyrics, his often toxic relationship with his mother and his work with mentors and collaborators.

One of del Toro's early acting teachers taught him to understand his character before learning lines. He's up for an Oscar for his role in One Battle After Another. Originally broadcast June 12, 2025.