In this edition of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, we hear from filmmaker Celine Song on her Hollywood hit, The Materialists starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans. 

Author AA Dhand talks his latest thriller, The Chemist. Francesca asks how his experiences with abuse, violence and overdoses while running a late hour pharmacy in the UK informed his writing.  

And one of our top comedians, Chris Parker is on a nationwide tour. So he joined Francesca in studio talk New Zealand's ever-growing comedy scene. 

Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session. 

Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. 

LISTEN ABOVE

In this edition of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, we hear from filmmaker Celine Song on her Hollywood hit,&nbsp;The Materialists&nbsp;starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans.&nbsp;
Author AA Dhand talks his latest thriller, The Chemist. Francesca asks how his experiences with abuse, violence and overdoses while running a late hour pharmacy in the UK informed his writing.&nbsp;&nbsp;
And one of our top comedians, Chris Parker is on a nationwide tour. So he joined Francesca in studio talk New Zealand's ever-growing comedy scene.&nbsp;
Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session.&nbsp;
Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Get the very best from Newstalk ZB's Francesca Rudkin as she brings you the top interviews from her chats from The Sunday Session. 

Hear from the big names globally as well as those making headlines right here in New Zealand. 

Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin is the home of in depth, enlightening and entertaining conversations. 

Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Get the very best from Newstalk ZB's Francesca Rudkin as she brings you the top interviews from her chats from The Sunday Session. 
Hear from the big names globally as well as those making headlines right here in New Zealand. 
Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin is the home of in depth, enlightening and entertaining conversations. 
Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin

News, opinion, analysis, lifestyle and entertainment – we’ve got your Sunday morning listening covered with The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin on Newstalk ZB.

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

Episode 13: Celine Song, AA Dhand and Chris Parker

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/951514dd-5196-444a-b773-b3080002c81d/transcript

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 14 June 2026, Succession star Brian Cox is proving you are never too old to try something new.  At the ripe old age of 79 he's directed his first film, he tells Francesca about the experience and he tells us the impact of playing media magnate Logan Roy.

Harry McNaughton started out as an 18 year old on Shortland Street but now plies his trade behind the scene championing Kiwi screen projects. He talks to Francesca about how the NZ screen industry doesn't get enough credit and his new project Head Girl.

Opportunity Party leader Qiulae Wong is making a play for Parliament through the Mt Albert electorate. She tells Francesca it doesn't change her focus on getting the party past the 5 percent threshold.  

Elon Musk is the world's first trillionaire - Francesca asks the question, what's next for SpaceX and Musk himself.

And AI has created its first vaccine and it is now being tested on humans, Dr Michelle Dickinson has all the details.

Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

LISTEN ABOVE

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 14 June 2026, <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/brian-cox-succession-actor-on-directing-his-first-film-at-79/">Succession star Brian Cox is proving you are never too old to try something new. &nbsp;At the ripe old age of 79 he's directed his first film, he tells Francesca about the experience and he tells us the impact of playing media magnate Logan Roy.</a>
Harry McNaughton started out as an 18 year old on Shortland Street <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/harry-mcnaughton-actor-and-tv-producer-on-his-newest-tv-project-head-girl/">but now plies his trade behind the scene championing Kiwi screen projects. He talks to Francesca about how the NZ screen industry doesn't get enough credit and his new project Head Girl.</a>
Opportunity Party leader Qiulae Wong is making a play for Parliament through the Mt Albert electorate.<a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/qiulae-wong-opportunity-party-leader-on-her-campaign-for-the-mount-albert-electorate/"> She tells Francesca it doesn't change her focus on getting the party past the 5 percent threshold. &nbsp;</a>
Elon Musk is the world's first trillionaire <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/eric-berger-author-and-senior-space-writer-on-the-spacex-ipo-making-elon-the-worlds-first-trillionaire/">- Francesca asks the question, what's next for SpaceX and Musk himself.</a>
And AI has created its first vaccine <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-michelle-dickinson-nanotechnologist-on-the-worlds-first-vaccine-designed-by-ai/">and it is now being tested on humans, Dr Michelle Dickinson has all the details</a>.
Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVE

Full Show Podcast: 14 June 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/db450d5a-e855-45a1-ab5d-b46900228451/transcript

Harry McNaughton first appeared on Kiwi TV screens as an 18-year-old, playing receptionist Gerald Tippet on Shorty St.

Since then, he's built up a presence on the other side of the camera, having worked on other New Zealand TV shows like The Pact, Madam, Under the Vines, and The Sounds.

His new show is set to arrive on Three soon - it's called Head Girl and McNaughton is the co-creator and writer.

"If I'm working as a showrunner, particularly if I'm a writer-creator who's on set and who's filling more of a producer role, then the benefit of that is that you can have people at any stage go - this doesn't feel like it's working, or you can see that it's not working...being able to change that is hugely helpful." 

LISTEN ABOVE

Harry McNaughton first appeared on Kiwi TV screens as an 18-year-old, playing receptionist Gerald Tippet on Shorty St.
Since then, he's built up a presence on the other side of the camera, having worked on other New Zealand TV shows like The Pact, Madam, Under the Vines, and The Sounds.
His new show is set to arrive on Three soon - it's called Head Girl and McNaughton is the co-creator and writer.
"If I'm working as a showrunner, particularly if I'm a writer-creator who's on set and who's filling more of a producer role, then the benefit of that is that you can have people at any stage go - this doesn't feel like it's working, or you can see that it's not working...being able to change that is hugely helpful."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Harry McNaughton: actor and TV producer on his newest TV project Head Girl

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/976309cc-c230-4816-828d-b469002147e3/transcript

Actor Brian Cox has taken on a significant array of films, but the 79-year-old Succession star is making his directorial debut.

Glenrothan has been described as a 'love letter to Scotland' and it's in cinemas this week.

He says he never intended to direct a film, but his producer gave him the idea to take on this project.

"I'm not particularly visual as a person... I realised I'd have to get myself a bloody good DP, which I did - Jaime Ackroyd, whose father is also an excellent DP - he did a wonderful job." 

LISTEN ABOVE

Actor Brian Cox has taken on a significant array of films, but the 79-year-old Succession star is making his directorial debut.
Glenrothan has been described as a 'love letter to Scotland' and it's in cinemas this week.
He says he never intended to direct a film, but his producer gave him the idea to take on this project.
"I'm not particularly visual as a person... I realised I'd have to get myself a bloody good DP, which I did - Jaime Ackroyd, whose father is also an excellent DP - he did a wonderful job."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Brian Cox: Succession actor on directing his first film at 79

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/80809719-5140-43d9-ad1e-b469001c3de6/transcript

Episode 13: Celine Song, AA Dhand and Chris Parker

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