Urban Secrets

Alan Cumming explores the culture of Newcastle, visiting its iconic sites and soaking up the city’s distinctive character. He gathers insight from former footballer Peter Beardsley, comedian Sarah Millican and ex‑Viz editor Simon Donald, as they reflect on the city’s history and humour.

The series follows actor Alan Cumming as he sets out to discover the cultural fabric of Newcastle. In this episode he walks the streets, visits familiar haunts and uses his curiosity to uncover what makes the city distinctive. During his wanderings Cumming sits down with a handful of local figures, each of whom offers a personal take on life in the north‑east. The conversations are interwoven with his own observations, creating a picture of the city that is both intimate and broad‑ranging. Among the guests are Peter Beardsley, Sarah Millican and Simon Donald, the latter having previously edited Viz. Each of them shares memories and viewpoints that illuminate different facets of Newcastle’s identity, from its community spirit to its creative output. By the programme’s end, Cumming has gathered a collection of anecdotes and reflections that together sketch a vivid portrait of Newcastle. The episode serves as a concise guide to the city’s character, filtered through the eyes of its own residents and presented with Cumming’s characteristic warmth.