Sir Ian McKellen left many BBC viewers thrilled as he appeared on The One Show on Monday, May 11. The British acting icon joined hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp on the green sofa, alongside Grey's Anatomy and Killing Eve actress Sandra Oh.
McKellen stars in Steven Soderbergh's upcoming film The Christophers, alongside Michaela Coel, James Corden, and Jessica Gunning. The film follows two siblings who plot to counterfeit their father's incomplete artworks to secure an inheritance after his death.
Discussing his character, McKellen revealed: 'We can't go too much into the plot because it's a bit of a thriller, but he's been living by himself for a long time and not painting. Before that, he was considered to be one of the great English painters.' He added that the character's children send a mate to interfere, and 'the plot unravels from there.'
BBC audiences took to X to express their excitement. One viewer commented: 'I've been the biggest fan of Sir Ian McKellen since I saw him play Romeo opposite Francesca Annis in 1978!' Another said: 'Love Sandra Oh, Sir Ian is a living legend.'
Sandra Oh, who will make her London stage premiere at the National Theatre next month, expressed her delight at sharing the screen with McKellen, remarking: 'I cannot believe that you just said my name alongside Sir Ian's name. I'm just like [makes shocked face]. Thank you.'
The One Show airs weeknights on BBC One at 7pm, while The Christophers will be released in cinemas on May 15.
