Good Hang with Amy Poehler — Olivia Colman
The Ringer | September 16, 2025 | Special Guest: Olivia Colman

Episode Overview

This episode of "Good Hang with Amy Poehler" welcomes acclaimed actress Olivia Colman for a warm, funny, and wide-ranging conversation. The episode weaves through Olivia's career journey from the early days of Cambridge’s Footlights to her rise as an award-winning screen actor, delves into the unique joys and anxieties of performing, touches on friendship and working relationships in the business, and spotlights what makes Olivia and Amy laugh—on- and off-camera. There's also insights into Olivia's new movie "The Roses", collaborations with Benedict Cumberbatch, reflections on acting accolades, and plenty of laughter along the way.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening: Introducing Olivia and a Guest Question from Benedict Cumberbatch

(00:34-08:50)

• Benedict Cumberbatch joins to give a "question for Olivia” and shares perspective as her longtime friend and now co-star in "The Roses".
  • He praises Olivia as "incredibly loyal... ridiculously good fun," and notes her unique, "preternaturally upbeat" quality.
  • [Notable Quote | 03:56] Benedict: "She facilitates naughtiness... If there’s a critique of her, it’s like, how the fuck is she doing this authentically?"
• Amy and Benedict discuss British vs. American humor, actors’ professionalism, and the mutual admiration among comedians.
• Benedict’s question: “Is there something she’s afraid of? Because I think she’s one of the most fearless performers that I know.”
  • [Notable Moment | 08:01] Benedict: “What are you most afraid of? And would you be any good at facing that fear?”

2. Olivia’s Path: Not Exactly Cambridge, But Footlights Nonetheless

(09:43-13:31)

• Olivia clears up a common misconception that she attended Cambridge University — she lived and worked in Cambridge but was not a student.
  • [Notable Quote | 11:20] Olivia: "It feels like a big lie if I... guys at Cambridge, absolutely. This is already very British, the distinction that you didn’t go to school there is an important one for you."
• She describes blundering into the Footlights audition by accident; tried to sell a cigarette butt in desperation and ended up eating it to make the audition panel laugh (they didn’t).
  • [Notable Moment | 12:01] “They just looked absolutely horrified. But they let me in with it. Well, she’s game.”
• Reminiscence: The thrill of making people laugh in small improv/sketch groups, comparing it to "being a vampire" for the adrenaline.

3. Performance, Fame, and Observing Life

(13:31–18:10)

• Olivia shares that she wasn’t an especially extroverted or confident child; as she’s gotten older and more recognizable, she finds herself getting shyer.
  • [Notable Quote | 15:22] Olivia: “As I got older, I've got more and more shy... People knowing your face and you not knowing theirs puts you in...not an equal footing."
• The oddness of being observed vs. being the observer, and the desire for anonymity, especially with her children.
• Notes her children are “all sensible” and not interested in acting, to her mock annoyance:
  • [18:03] "Who employs physicists these days?"

4. The “Comedy Can Do Anything” Theory and Career Turning Points

(18:10–21:16)

• Both Amy and Olivia champion the idea that actors who start in comedy often prove the most versatile.
  • [18:40] Olivia describes how "Tyrannosaur" changed her career trajectory, thanks to Paddy Considine, whom she met on "Hot Fuzz."
  • [19:36] "Always open the door, people. Always be nice. You never know."
• Olivia reflects on initial roles in comedy, then crossover to dramatic work, noting that there’s often a rigid divide in casting directors’ minds.

5. Comedy Across Cultures: US vs. UK

(21:16–26:04)

• Amy and Olivia discuss how British humor was a world apart from American growing up, how shows didn’t travel well pre-internet, and the discovery of SNL, Alan Partridge, etc. via tape trading.
  • [22:44] Amy: “I remember watching like Alan Partridge... but 10 years after it was on.”
• Olivia reminisces about watching American sitcoms on UK morning TV:
  • [23:17] “It starts with Cheers, then King of Queens, then Everybody Loves Raymond, then Friends. No, sorry, Frasier. Same four shows. Yeah. I love it.”
• Both celebrate "Cheers" as a near-perfect sitcom and laugh over favorite sitcom moments.

6. Sketch Comedy Roots and Breakout Roles

(27:46–29:44)

• Olivia’s first TV job was on the sketch show "Bruiser" (alongside David Mitchell, Robert Webb, Martin Freeman).
• Discovery that sketch shows are "80% bad," but the few winners make it all worth it.
• Olivia recalls her first broader recognition for UK audiences was "Broadchurch," and the admiration and bond with co-star David Tennant:
  • [29:49] "He is. There’s nothing assholey about him at all... He was just like a buddy" [David Tennant].

7. The Secret to Longevity, Professionalism, and Working Styles

(31:13–34:32)

• Olivia and Amy reflect on the professionalism of the biggest stars:
  • [31:28] Olivia: "I've been so lucky to work with two of my gods, Meryl Streep and Anthony Hopkins. They never would have kept anyone waiting."
• Both share stories about “never missing a day” (even with pneumonia!):
  • [33:49] Olivia: “I’ve had pneumonia twice. Never missed a day of work while filming.”
  • [34:01] Amy: "I never missed one day of work on Parks and Rec. I did 120 shows."
• Discussion of generational gaps about self-care vs. “hustle” culture, conceding that perhaps "we’ve overcorrected a bit," but avowing their love for true pros.

8. Secrets on “Broadchurch” & The Art of Lying

(35:16–39:32)

• Recalls secrecy around the “whodunit” in Broadchurch, and hiding the answer from David Tennant.
• Both admit they're probably not good liars in real life, failing “lie detector” type games, though Amy says she’d be a persuasive defendant in a courtroom.
• Playful discussion of family games like Mafia, and how children are often “terrifyingly good” at deception.

9. Crying Onscreen, The Crown, and Stillness in Acting

(39:44–44:17)

• Olivia shares tricks for crying on camera—no “tricks,” really, just reacting to good writing, but sometimes had to listen to the shipping forecast in an earpiece to stay composed for “The Crown.”
  • [41:17] "That's a good tip... Listen to something else. Don’t listen to your actor."
• Talks about inheriting the role of the Queen from Claire Foy:
  • [43:30] Amy: “When you show up and we think, oh my, Olivia is now the Queen, it’s exhilarating.”

10. Working with Women — and a Bit About Awards

(44:40–52:24)

• Olivia is effusive about female collaborators: Jodie Whittaker (Broadchurch), Helena Bonham Carter (The Crown), Phoebe Waller-Bridge ("Fleabag"), Amy Morgan, and more.
  • [46:28] “I always take a good girlfriend with me from almost every job.”
• Shares amusing story of Kate McKinnon acting like a peahen for hours.
• On awards: Both Amy & Olivia agree awards are lovely affirmations, but not to be taken too seriously.
  • [51:14] “Give yourself a few days to feel pretty thrilled with yourself and then forget it ever happened, go back to work.”

11. Marriage, Partnership, and Argue-or-Not?

(53:26–56:53)

• Olivia recounts meeting her husband Ed in Cambridge: “Proper thunderbolts. That’s him.”
• On the “secret” to a long-lasting relationship: They don't fight much (“apparently isn’t very healthy”).
  • [55:09] “We’re not big fighters... learned over the years to sometimes, if that was annoying, just wait until a calmer moment.”
• Highlights differences between British and American communication, with a hilarious anecdote from "The Lost Daughter":
  • [56:08] "Oh my god, nothing has been said here—20 minutes.”

12. New Film: “The Roses” & Working with Benedict Cumberbatch

(56:53–61:04)

• "The Roses" is Olivia's latest film alongside Benedict Cumberbatch. Both Amy and Olivia discuss the British tradition of toggling between comedy and drama.
• Amy relays Benedict’s question about what Olivia’s afraid of as an actor:
  • [58:28] Olivia: "Anything where I have to show any skin... Or pretending to have sex with someone. I don't like it. I feel like I'm being on Facebook and it just feels a bit... even when they go, 'You can wear your jeans.'"
• On on-screen chemistry and physical comedy:
  • [60:44] Amy: "Watching the two of you spar is really exciting... Do you like doing that?"
  • [60:44] Olivia: "No... I don’t want to do that. I’m not very physical."
• Praises for director Jay Roach, recounts how tall he is and how often he hits his head on set lights.

13. What’s Making Olivia Laugh Right Now?

(61:04–65:32)

• Olivia’s secret comic delight: watching her husband Ed accidentally fall or hit his head.
  • [62:22] “The thing that makes me laugh more than anything, belly laugh... is watching my husband fall over or hit his head.”
• Both confess they don’t like being pranked, but enjoy (harmless) physical comedy.
• End the episode watching (and breaking down) viral home video clips of people stuck or falling: “the two women trying to get into the window” is an all-time favorite.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• [03:56] Benedict on Olivia: "She facilitates naughtiness...if there’s a critique of her, it’s like, how the fuck is she doing this authentically?"
• [18:40] Olivia: "Always open the door, people. Always be nice. You never know."
• [31:28] Olivia: "I've been so lucky to work with two of my gods, Meryl Streep and Anthony Hopkins. They never would have kept anyone waiting."
• [33:49] Olivia: “I’ve had pneumonia twice. Never missed a day of work while filming."
• [46:28] Olivia: “I always take a good girlfriend with me from almost every job.”
• [62:22] Olivia: "The thing that makes me laugh more than anything, belly laugh... is watching my husband fall over or hit his head."
• [58:28] Olivia, on acting fears: "Anything where I have to show any skin... Or pretending to have sex with someone. I don't like it."

Memorable, Candid Exchanges

• On professional behavior (Amy and Olivia, 34:01–34:32):
  • Amy: "I never missed one day of work on Parks and rec. I did 120 shows."
  • Olivia: "Fuck. Yeah. And that's weird. And people think that's a weird statistic because they're like, well, okay, maybe not something to brag about. And I'm like, is it not? I think it is... But perhaps I was setting an example that was... You know. Both are true."
• On British vs. American culture and “Love Island” (25:33–26:04):
  • Amy: “Brits are smarter. They just sound smarter.”
  • Olivia: “That’s not true... But thank God, Love Island.”
• On winning awards (51:02–51:46):
  • Olivia: "Give yourself a few days to feel pretty thrilled with yourself and then forget it ever happened. Go back to work."

Final Highlights

• Amy and Olivia’s chemistry is instant and freewheeling—their mutual respect for comedy and each other sets the tone.
• Olivia is revealed to be loyal, genuinely modest (even shy), and as hilarious in conversation as onscreen.
• The episode offers an inside peek into the world of working actors—the seriousness, the play, the anxieties, and the unending quest for a good game or a great laugh.
• The conversation closes as Amy and Olivia watch (and narrate) classic viral videos, both dissolved in laughter, reaffirming that the simplest slapstick joys are universal.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:34 – Amy introduces Olivia & Benedict Cumberbatch calls in
• 09:43 – Footlights and Olivia’s unconventional path to comedy
• 18:40 – Discussion of "Tyrannosaur" as a career turning point
• 23:17 – British habit of watching US sitcoms
• 29:49 – On David Tennant and "Broadchurch"
• 33:49 – Stories about “never missing a day”
• 39:44 – Crying on camera, "The Crown" stories
• 44:40 – Working with women, Kate McKinnon story
• 53:26 – Meeting her husband Ed; secrets to long partnership
• 56:53 – New film "The Roses" & working with Benedict Cumberbatch
• 61:04 – What’s making Olivia laugh these days (America’s Funniest Home Videos, et al.)

A delightfully candid, humorous hangout between Amy Poehler and Olivia Colman that’s part masterclass, part confessional, and thoroughly a "good hang."