Carrie Gracie: fearless leader of battle for equal pay at the BBC
Her resignation as China editor, because of a lack of parity in salary with male counterparts, has provoked a debate about gender fairness and exposed deep divisions in the corporation
Gary Oldman: will Churchill prove to be his finest hour?
The dazzling British actor, often mentioned in the same breath as Daniel Day-Lewis, is tipped for a Golden Globe for his role as a national saviour, a long journey from playing punks and skinheads
Jodie Whittaker: regenerating as a woman – the new Doctor Who
Stepping into the shoes of the Time Lord is a daunting task for any actor, but she will not only be the first female to pilot the Tardis but also have the task of rescuing the show’s falling ratings
Rupert Murdoch: Will this prove to be the media king’s last act?
After a lifetime of relentlessly expanding his empire, the sale of most of 21st Century Fox to Disney seems out of character. Tim Adams asks if he has accepted his waning influence or is simply consolidating his family’s power
He’s become the darling of the alt-right and evangelicals whose candidacy for the Senate has intensified US culture wars. Will the voters overlook allegations of sexual harassment against him?
Viagra: the little blue pill that revolutionised our sex lives
The virility drug, soon to be available over the counter in the UK, is a phenomenal success story, despite being the butt of many jokes. In 25 years, it’s also changed how we talk about male impotence
Spike Lee: still the boldest and brashest auteur in American film
His breakthrough feature She’s Gotta Have It introduced a striking new voice to cinema. Now, three decades on, it has been remade as a Netflix series and the veteran can boast a rich CV, showing no signs of losing his dynamic touch
Bryan Cranston: the Breaking Bad star electrifying the London stage
In the hit TV series, he made his name as a master of transformation and the same could be said of his career. Now he has become the latest US actor to light up British theatre
Rodrigo Duterte: the president warlord of the Philippines
Thousands have been killed in his domestic anti-drug campaign. Now, as he hosts Trump at a summit in Manila, new brutal revelations put him back in the headlines
Hugh Grant: reluctant he may be but talented he certainly is
Almost since he started acting, he has sought other purposes, including as a press abuse campaigner. But a brilliant turn in the new Paddington Bear film is set to herald an acting renaissance
Mariano Rajoy: Spain’s ‘safe pair of hands’ risking it all on Catalonia
The prime minister built his reputation on saving his country from economic disaster, but one region’s push for independence has forced him into the gamble of his life
Harvey Weinstein: fall of Hollywood player they once called ‘God’
For years rumours surrounded the movie mogul behind films such as Shakespeare in Love and Gangs of New York, but now his accusers are going on the record alleging sex assaults
Michael O’Leary: turbulent times for money-saving master of the skies
The cancellation of 20,000 flights has brought the Ryanair boss down to earth with a bump. Usually the colourful pioneer is adept at turning reversals to his advantage. Can he once again?
Angelina Jolie: an actor of style and a director of substance
Keen to make films about subjects many would avoid, the film star and activist is as likely to be found discussing the Khmer Rouge, subject of her new film, as featuring in glamour magazines
Thomas Heatherwick: Pied Piper who has the very rich under his spell
Despite the collapse of his plan to build a garden bridge across the Thames, the ambitious designer still has projects aplenty across the globe, thanks to those who admire his talents
