The Third Act
Auriens, Catherine Fairweather
What if we all saw age, not as a barrier, but as a new beginning? Featuring sparkling conversation from vintage minds, The Third Act is a podcast that celebrates later life – by putting it centre-stage.
Each episode, writer and journalist Catherine Fairweather chats to some of the world’s most experienced artists, adventurers, actors and entrepreneurs – hearing tales of triumphs and setbacks, exploring the intimate secrets of a life well lived and unpacking tricks for ageing gracefully (or otherwise). Over lunch at Auriens Chelsea, each guest reflects openly and honestly about how they are redefining later living and embracing life’s next act. Warm, witty and invariably wise, this series will leave you with the strong belief that the best is yet to come.
The Third Act is brought to you by Auriens – a luxury residence in Chelsea that redefines later living.
Each episode, writer and journalist Catherine Fairweather chats to some of the world’s most experienced artists, adventurers, actors and entrepreneurs – hearing tales of triumphs and setbacks, exploring the intimate secrets of a life well lived and unpacking tricks for ageing gracefully (or otherwise). Over lunch at Auriens Chelsea, each guest reflects openly and honestly about how they are redefining later living and embracing life’s next act. Warm, witty and invariably wise, this series will leave you with the strong belief that the best is yet to come.
The Third Act is brought to you by Auriens – a luxury residence in Chelsea that redefines later living.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 4, 2025 • 32min
Sir Tom Stoppard
In tribute to Sir Tom Stoppard, who died last week, we are reposting this conversation from our archives.
Sir Tom Stoppard was one of the most widely acclaimed playwrights and screenwriters of his generation. His award-winning body of work includes the screenplay for Shakespeare in Love and the plays Arcadia and The Real Thing. His final major work, Leopoldstadt—often described as his most personal play—is set in the Jewish community of early 20th-century Vienna. It won the Olivier Award for Best New Play after its celebrated West End run and is currently playing on Broadway.
In this episode, Sir Tom speaks with Catherine Fairweather about his childhood, his writing process, the benefits of getting older, and the tick-tock of the universe.
Dec 3, 2025 • 35min
Graydon Carter
Legendary Canadian journalist Graydon Carter joins Catherine Fairweather for Episode Five of The Third Act. Best known as the former Editor-in-Chief of Vanity Fair, co-founder of the ground-breaking satirical magazine Spy, and founder of the digital weekly Air Mail, Graydon has spent decades shaping how we read, think, and stay curious.
In this episode, Graydon reflects on the golden age of print, the thrill and challenge of reinventing journalism for a digital world, and why satire should always “punch up.” He also shares his thoughts on keeping one’s mind sharp, staying endlessly inquisitive, and embracing the joy of reinvention in later life.
Nov 12, 2025 • 43min
Jenny Seagrove
In this episode of The Third Act, host Catherine Fairweather sits down with acclaimed actress Jenny Seagrove. Known for her roles in Local Hero and A Woman of Substance, Jenny has also dedicated much of her life to animal welfare through the Mane Chance Sanctuary.
Together, they explore themes of love, loss, resilience and the evolving journey of self-worth, and how Jenny continues to discover new purpose in later life.
Oct 29, 2025 • 35min
Julian and Isabel Bannerman
This week, Catherine Fairweather is delighted to welcome the extraordinary garden designers Isabel and Julian Bannerman to the podcast. Since 1983, the Bannermans have created exceptional gardens, culminating in the honour of receiving the Royal Warrant from King Charles III in 2024. Speaking from their home at Ashington Manor in Somerset, they reflect on their favourite projects, their celebrated ‘no-rules’ approach, and their enduring philosophy of planting for future generations.
Oct 15, 2025 • 31min
Martin Parr
Hosted by journalist Catherine Fairweather, this episode features the celebrated British photographer Martin Parr. Together, they explore the quirks, curiosities and creative obsessions that have defined his career, and his unique way of looking at the world.
Recorded at the Martin Parr Foundation, Catherine goes behind the scenes to reveal stories that go far beyond the lens. Parr’s attention to detail and his wry lens reshape our perspective on the British, while his observations on how we see beauty and seek pleasure resonate deeply with the concept of later living at Auriens, proud sponsors of this podcast.
Oct 1, 2025 • 41min
Harry Enfield
In this episode, Harry Enfield joins Catherine Fairweather to reflect on the joy and legacy of his career. With his trademark mischievous wit and incisive humour, he has helped define British comedy. Together, they explore how humour shapes the way we connect and navigate life’s chapters while also revealing a few guilty pleasures and secret talents along the way.
Dec 11, 2024 • 37min
Penelope Tree
Penelope Tree is as engaging a podcast guest as she is a debut novelist, captivating listeners with her intelligent candour and timeless elegance. Her reflections on her teenage and young adult years, filled with both glamour and grit, serve as the foundation for Piece of Your Heart—a novel that vividly captures the soaring highs and the frankly hellish lows of the 1960s fashion world. To pen such an accomplished debut novel in her 70s is not only an incredible achievement but also a source of inspiration. It’s a reminder that creativity knows no age and that it’s never too late to embrace new ambitions and share your story. It’s a novel and a story, that makes you feel there’s hope for us all.
Nov 28, 2024 • 30min
Bruce Weber
Over drinks and the sound of clinking ice at Auriens, host Catherine Fairweather meets Bruce en route to his first major retrospective in Prague. He reflects on shaping the zeitgeist of the eighties and nineties with his sometimes provocative yet always glamorous campaigns for Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein. Bruce muses on a show that celebrates the unique relationships he forged with his subjects, from the late Stella Tennant, whom he deeply admired, to Kate Moss and countless others. We discuss how fortunate we were to experience the glory days of print journalism—and the unfortunate ways in which 9/11 truly marked the end of an era. Stay tuned for his favourite poem to live by at the end.
Nov 13, 2024 • 34min
Bill Nighy
In this episode of The Third Act, Catherine Fairweather sits down over tea at Auriens Chelsea with British film and style icon, Bill Nighy. Together, they dive into his upcoming role in Joy, in which he portrays pioneering IVF surgeon Patrick Steptoe. Nighy also reflects on the highs and lows of life on stage, sharing candid stories about stage fright and the pressures of live performance. Join us for a droll conversation with 'a national treasure', whose dry and, sometimes, irreverent wit; and whose immaculate sense of timing has engaged audiences for decades.
Oct 30, 2024 • 40min
Dame Sheila Hancock
At 91, Dame Sheila Hancock reflects on a life rich in experiences which have sometimes tested, sometimes burnished her resilient and independent spirit. Known for her dynamic career on stage and screen— Cabaret, Sweeney Todd, and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas—Dame Sheila has spent the more recent decades captivating a new audience of readers with her writing and sharp wit, the most recent being the captivating memoir of a long life well lived in Old Rage. Yet her drive extends well beyond the arts; Sheila is something of an activist and campaigner, whose life is as powered by compassion and espousing causes as it is a restless thirst for knowledge. This episode offers an inspiring glimpse into the wisdom, humour, and tenacity of one of the UK’s most talented Dames.
