© Irish Times
Michael Fassbender and Keira Knightley recently recounted their experiences filming the 2011 movie *A Dangerous Method* on *The Graham Norton Show*, leaving the audience in stitches. Knightley revealed that a significant portion of the film involved spanking scenes, with Fassbender as the ‘spanker’. Fassbender humorously added that a Yellow Pages directory was strategically placed to cushion the impact, ensuring the scenes were realistic yet painless. Knightley further amused the audience by confessing that she bought spanking paddles as gifts for Fassbender and other cast members, creating a memorable, albeit unusual, souvenir from the production.
The appearance also served as a platform for Fassbender to discuss his new TV series, *The Agency*, where he plays a covert CIA agent. He shared insights into his preparation for the role, including interactions with real-life spies. The show, a Paramount+ production based on the French series *The Bureau*, has received rave reviews, with fans praising its star-studded cast and thrilling plot. *The Agency* follows Fassbender’s character, a CIA agent forced to abandon his undercover life, whose past resurfaces, jeopardizing his career and mission.
The interview also touched upon Fassbender’s personal life, with a mention of a recent public appearance with his wife, Alicia Vikander, and the couple’s recent addition to their family. Vikander’s experiences with childbirth were also subtly highlighted, emphasizing the physical and emotional challenges involved. The Graham Norton Show, where these revelations unfolded, is readily available for viewing on BBC iPlayer.