With Kirsty Lang.

Sam Mendes, director of the new James Bond film Skyfall, discusses the vital ingredients needed to make a successful 007
adventure, and the art of updating Ian Fleming's classic character for a contemporary audience.

Kevin Costner won the Best Actor in a mini-series award at the Emmys this year for his performance in the TV drama Hatfields & McCoys. He's not the only Hollywood star winning acclaim on TV - Claire Danes, Julianne Moore and Jessica Lange all also won Emmys this year for their small-screen work. As Hatfields & McCoys comes to the UK, Sarah Churchwell reviews the programme, and considers the allure of TV for cinema stars.

Biographer Tom Reiss discusses the real Count of Monte Cristo: General Alexandre Dumas was an idol of Revolutionary France, famed for his military exploits and physical courage. He inspired the adventure novels The Three Musketeers and The Count Of Monte Cristo, which were written by his son, also called Alexandre. Tom Reiss discusses how General Dumas, the son of a black slave, rose to a position of power, which brought him into conflict with Napoleon.

Producer Claire Bartleet.