Emma Thompson proves to be the perfect late night guest and host

When it comes to late night television, Emma Thompson is proving that she can do it all.

There is no denying that Emma Thompson is talented. The British actress has been proving that for years on stage, television and in movies. Still, her best performance may be as herself rather than any character.

Thompson is out promoting her latest film Late Night. Written by and co-starring Mindy Kaling, the movie goes behind-the-scenes of a fictional late night comedy show hosted by Thompson’s character.

Fans know that Thompson can more than hold her own in a comedy. She showed that even further when she hosted Saturday Night Live this season. And during her appearance on Tuesday night’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, she proved that has a pretty good grasp on the ins and outs of late night.

In the clip, you’ll see how Thompson is first the ideal late night guest. She is enthusiastic, charming, and has a hilarious story to tell Stephen Colbert. Then when asked about Late Night, she reflects on core of late night as a genre.

From discussing becoming a “dame” to recalling how she was mistaken for a 50-year-old man trespassing in Scotland, Thompson hold’s the attention of Colbert and the audience from the start. It is not often that a guest can be this “on” for a nearly 11 minute long stretch.

Her appreciation for the writers at Saturday Night Live and her understanding of the power of laughter show that Emma Thompson could easily host her own late night show. That understanding is certainly necessary when you’re required to write, produce, and perform five shows a week meant to entertain and humor millions of viewers.

Thompson even shows off a bit of Stephen Colbert’s sense of humor. She goes from sarcastic self-aggrandizing to self-deprecating to slightly crass with ease. Thompson even manages to get in a dig at President Donald Trump, Colbert’s favorite target.

So we see that Thompson can be the perfect guest and could also hold her own as a host. As if that wasn’t enough, we even get a little peek at Thompson the music director. She quickly picks up on Jon Batiste’s quick riff on the piano and helps him find the perfect chord to accompany her joke.

If Emma Thompson ever wants to take a break from acting or just wants to stay even busier, she has a career in late night television. Late Night hits theaters on June 7. You can catch star Mindy Kaling on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Thursday June 6.