The Sunday Times Culture – August 23, 2026

Summary

"I didn't realise I was so interesting," says Ridley Scott, 88, in The Sunday Times Culture (23 August 2026) cover story, holding forth on Gladiator, childhood memories and his new film Dog Stars starring Jacob Elordi. The Grand Tour gets a new presenter lineup as James Engelsman, Thomas Holland and Francis Bourgeois replace Clarkson, Hammond and May — and receive Clarkson's blessing. Robert Harris discusses writing about Agrippa, Rome's mysterious leader, and Charlotte Ivers declares Ludwig the ultimate brain-cleansing television.

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The 23 August Culture leads with Scott's wide-ranging interview covering Gladiator 3, his childhood in post-war England and his latest project. The Grand Tour reboot gets a 4-page feature introducing the new trio — YouTube channel Throttle House's Engelsman and Holland plus trainspotting sensation Francis Bourgeois — who say "We have Jeremy Clarkson's blessing." Elizabeth Jane Howard's Cazalet Chronicles continue with her niece picking up where the aunt left off. Robert Harris talks about his novel focused on Agrippa. Charlotte Ivers reviews Ludwig as palate-cleansing TV.

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The Books section includes Lucy Worsley's behind-the-scenes royal history as book of the week, a boxing history covering Muhammad Ali to Barbara Buttrick, and a review of Jason Statham's nautical action film. Rafe Spall on working with his real-life partner appears in the television section. TV and radio listings fill the back pages. A packed Culture issue with two major interview features — Scott and the Grand Tour trio — giving it unusual weight for August.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story

p.4 · Ridley Scott: 'I didn't realise I was so interesting'
Scott, 88, discusses Gladiator 3, his childhood, his new film Dog Stars with Jacob Elordi, and his enduring drive. He reflects on a career spanning Alien, Blade Runner and The Martian. For any filmmaker: Scott's work rate at 88 is a challenge to every director half his age.

▸ Arts

p.6 · The Cazalet Chronicles return
Elizabeth Jane Howard's niece on continuing the beloved family saga. The continuation maintains the Howard voice.

p.8 · The new Grand Tour trio
Meet James Engelsman, Thomas Holland and Francis Bourgeois — the replacements for Clarkson, Hammond and May. Engelsman and Holland come from YouTube channel Throttle House; Bourgeois is a trainspotting TikTok star. Clarkson appears in the first episode to anoint them: "Don't f*** it up."

▸ Critics

p.14 · Charlotte Ivers: Ludwig is brain-cleansing TV
Ivers argues the detective drama Ludwig offers the intellectual reset that peak TV has made necessary. A smart formal observation about genre comfort.

p.16 · Jason Statham: nautical action
Film review of Statham's latest water-based action thriller. The critic assesses whether the formula still works.

▸ Books

p.20 · Robert Harris on Agrippa
Harris discusses his novel about Agrippa, Rome's mysterious plebeian leader. The interview covers Roman history and Harris's method for bringing ancient figures to life.

p.23 · Book of the Week: Lucy Worsley
Royal history from behind the scenes. Worsley takes readers inside the monarchy's private spaces.

p.24 · Sport: history of boxing
From Muhammad Ali to Barbara Buttrick — a knockout survey of boxing's cultural impact.

▸ Regulars

p.10 · Rafe Spall: working with his real-life partner
Spall discusses acting opposite his partner and the dynamics of sharing scenes with a spouse.

p.29 · TV & Radio Listings

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Editor's Take

Scott and the Grand Tour feature give this issue unusual weight for late August — two genuinely newsworthy interviews in one Culture section. The Scott interview works because he is unfiltered and still actively making films at 88. The Grand Tour piece answers a question many readers had: who are the new presenters and are they any good? Weaknesses: the Cazalet continuation is a niche literary interest. The boxing history is well-reviewed but compressed. Charlotte Ivers's Ludwig column is perceptive but short. Best for readers who want two substantial interviews in one issue.

Strengths
• Ridley Scott interview at 88 is a genuine event
• Grand Tour new presenters feature answers a real reader question
• Robert Harris on Agrippa is a serious literary interview

Weaknesses
• Cazalet continuation is niche
• Boxing history deserved more space
• Jason Statham review is predictable

Verdict: Recommended — two major interviews make this the strongest Culture issue of late August.