Sir Anthony Hopkins, the Oscar-winning actor, releases his debut single at age 88 and announces an upcoming debut album. Multiple outlets report that Hopkins has signed a recording contract with Decca Records/Decca Classics earlier this year and that the first single is released on Friday. His debut album, titled Life Is a Dream, is scheduled for release next month, with one report stating a specific date of 21 August 2026. The album is described as a collection of compositions Hopkins has worked on for more than 60 years, drawn in part from his life and experiences, including his childhood in Wales in the 1940s. The lead single is identified as “Bracken Road,” which at least one source says he composed in 1963. Hopkins’ stated aim is linked to a lifelong desire to record music; he has said he has been composing since childhood. The project includes performances with classical musicians, including the Philharmonia Orchestra and other collaborators, and it was recorded earlier this year at London’s Alexandra Palace, with conductor Gustavo Dudamel quoted by outlets discussing the collaboration.