Olivia Colman
Actress
Birth Name: Sarah Caroline Olivia Colman
Birth Date: January 30, 1974
Age: 50 years old
Birth Place: Norwich, Norfolk, England, UK
Prolific and widely respected British television and film actor Olivia Colman earned her first Oscar in 2019 for her role as Queen Anne in the biographical comedy-drama "The Favourite" (2018).
Born and raised in the historic city of Norwich, England, Colman was inspired by her mother, who pursued ballet dancing as a young woman, to embark on a career in the arts. With that in mind, Colman decided to translate her love of performers and performing into the pursuit of a professional acting career.
She started young, and by her mid-teens Colman was nabbing lead roles in school plays. When it came time to enter college, Colman briefly put her acting aspirations on hold to study primary teaching at Homerton College in Cambridge. However, her time at the college would prove to be short-lived.
Colman wanted to be an actress after all, so she left Homerton and began studying drama at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. After graduating from the school in 1999, Colman began working almost immediately. She started out appearing primarily on television, with supporting roles on shows like "Mr. Charity" (BBC, 2001) and "Holby City" (BBC, 1999- ).
Her first big break in the UK came in 2003 when she began playing Sophie Chapman on the comedy series "Peep Show" (Channel 4, 2003-2015). The success of her work on "Peep Show" led to additional roles on British comedy shows, including "Green Wing" (Channel 4, 2004-07), "Beautiful People" (BBC Two, 2008-09), and "Fleabag" (BBC, 2016- ).
By the early 2010s Colman also began branching out by taking on various film roles. Her film roles included "The Iron Lady" (2011), "I Give It a Year" (2013), and "The Lobster" (2015), the last of which was directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. In 2016 Colman won accolades in America for her recurring role on the thriller mini-series "The Night Manager" (BBC One/AMC, 2016).
"The Night Manager" was broadcast on both British and American television networks, and earned Colman a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. In 2018 Colman worked with Yorgos Lanthimos once again when she was cast as Queen Anne of Britain in the period comedy-drama "The Favourite." The film was nominated for 10 Oscars, with Colman taking home her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
In 2019 Colman began playing another Queen of England, Elizabeth II, on the Netflix historical drama series "The Crown." Colman began playing Queen Elizabeth II in the third season of the series, which premiered on the streaming network in 2019.
Credits
Paddington in Peru
Actor
Reverend Mother
Movie
2024
Girl From the North Country
Actor
Elizabeth
Movie
2024
The Amanpour Hour
Self
News
2023
Assembled: The Making of Secret Invasion
Self
Show
2023
Secret InvasionStream
Actor
Sonya Falsworth
Series
2023
The Making Of: Empire of Light
Actor
Show
2023
Great ExpectationsStream
Actor
Miss Havisham
Series
2023
WonkaStream
Actor
Mrs. Scrubbit
Movie
2023
Wicked Little LettersStream
Actor
Edith Swan
Movie
2023
Wicked Little LettersStream
Producer
Movie
2023
Wonka (Acessibilidade)
Actor
Mrs. Scrubbit
Movie
2023
Wonka (Signed)
Actor
Mrs. Scrubitt
Movie
2023
Joyride: Extras
Actor
Show
2022
HBO First Look: Empire of Light
Actor
Show
2022
Playing the Queen
Guest
Show
2022
HeartstopperStream
Actor
Sarah Nelson
Series
2022
Puss in Boots: The Last WishStream
Voice
Mama Bear
Movie
2022
Joyride
Actor
Joy
Movie
2022
Empire of LightStream
Actor
Hilary
Movie
2022
Scrooge: A Christmas CarolStream
Voice
Ghost of Christmas Past
Movie
2022
Superworm
Narrator
Show
2021
LandscapersStream
Actor
Susan Edwards
Miniseries
2021
LandscapersStream
Executive Producer
Miniseries
2021
Olivia Colman vs Alan Carr Celebrity Doctors for SU2C
Host
Show
2021
Trip Hazard: My Great British Adventure
Narrator
Show
2021
Ojciec
Actor
Anne
Show
2021
The Mitchells Vs. The MachinesStream
Voice
Pal
Movie
2021
Ron's Gone WrongStream
Voice
Donka
Movie
2021
The Lost DaughterStream
Actor
Leda
Movie
2021
The Lost DaughterStream
Executive Producer
Movie
2021
Mothering SundayStream
Actor
Mrs. Niven
Movie
2021
Superworm
Narrator
Movie
2021
Cinderella: A Comic Relief Pantomime for Christmas
Actor
Fairy Godmother
Show
2020
Cinderella: A Comic Relief Pantomime for Christmas: Director's Cut
Actor
Fairy Godmother
Show
2020
Becoming YouStream
Narrator
Movie
2020
Global Goal: Unite for Our Future -- The Concert
Actor
Show
2020
Turtle Journey
Voice
Movie
2020
The FatherStream
Actor
Anne
Movie
2020
Nasrin
Actor
Narrator
Movie
2020
The Favourite Interview Special
Guest
Show
2019
Them That Follow
Actor
Hope
Movie
2019
Andrew Davies: Rewriting the Classics
Self
Show
2018
Les MisérablesStream
Actor
Madame Thenardier
Miniseries
2018
Los miserables
Actor
Madame Thenardier
Show
2018
Watership DownStream
Voice
Strawberry
Miniseries
2018
The Making Of: The Favourite
Self
Show
2018
Thomas & Friends: Here Comes the Steam Team!
Voice
Marion
Show
2018
Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures!
Voice
Marion
Show
2018
The Private Life Of The Royal Academy
Narrator
Show
2018
Flatpack Empire
Narrator
Show
2018
The FavouriteStream
Actor
Queen Anne
Movie
2018
Unexpected Item
Actor
Till
Movie
2018
The Breakfast Couch
Guest
Show
2017
Murder on the Orient ExpressStream
Actor
Hildegarde Schmidt
Movie
2017
We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Actor
Mum
Show
2016
Women Talking About Cars
Guest
Show
2016
The CrownStream
Actor
Queen Elizabeth II
Series
2016
Thomas & Friends: Full Steam to the Rescue!
Voice
Marion
Show
2016
FleabagStream
Actor
Godmother
Series
2016
The Extraordinary Case of Alex Lewis
Narrator
Show
2016
FlowersStream
Actor
Deborah
Series
2016
The Night Manager: Extras
Actor
Show
2016
Our Queen at 90
Narrator
Show
2016
The Story of Cats
Narrator
Show
2016
David Harewood's F Word
Self
Show
2016
The Night ManagerStream
Actor
Angela Burr
Series
2016
The Night Manager
Actor
Angela Burr
Show
2016
The Secret Life of the ZooStream
Narrator
Reality
2016
We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Voice
Mum
Movie
2016
The Late Show With Stephen ColbertStream
Guest
Talk
2015
Earth's Natural Wonders: Living on the Edge
Narrator
Show
2015
Thomas and Friends: Dinos & Discoveries
Voice
Marion
Show
2015
David Attenborough Meets President Obama
Narrator
Show
2015
The Late Late Show With James Corden
Guest
Talk
2015
Thomas & Friends: Dinos & Discoveries
Voice
Marion
Show
2015
London Road
Actor
Julie
Movie
2015
Thomas & Friends: Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure
Voice
Marion
Movie
2015
The LobsterStream
Actor
Hotel Manager
Movie
2015
Thomas & Friends: Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure
Voice
Movie
2015
Thomas & Friends: Signals Crossed
Actor
Show
2014
The Secrets
Actor
Pippa
Show
2014
The Great War: The People's Story
Narrator
Show
2014
Mr. Sloane
Actor
Janet Sloane
Show
2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream
Guest
Talk
2014
Big Ballet
Narrator
Show
2014
The Kumars
Guest Star
Show
2014
The 7.39
Actor
Maggie Matthews
Show
2014
Thomas & Friends: Tale of the Brave
Voice
Marion
Movie
2014
Pudsey the Dog: The Movie
Actor
Nelly
Movie
2014
The 7.39
Actor
Maggie Matthews
Movie
2014
The Kármán Line
Actor
Sarah
Movie
2014
Tomek i Przyjaciele: Opowieść o Odwadze
Voice
Marion
Movie
2014
Cuban FuryStream
Actor
Sam
Movie
2014
The Thirteenth Tale
Actor
Margaret Lea
Show
2013
The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot
Actor
Show
2013
Run
Actor
Show
2013
The Suspicions of Mr Whicher
Actor
Show
2013
BroadchurchStream
Actor
DS Ellie Miller
Series
2013
Hyde Park on Hudson Interview Special
Guest
Show
2013
The Thirteenth Tale
Actor
Margaret Lea
Movie
2013
LockeStream
Actor
Bethan
Movie
2013
The Suspicions of Mr Whicher: The Murder in Angel Lane
Actor
Susan Spencer
Movie
2013
I Give It a Year
Actor
Linda
Movie
2013
Bad Sugar
Actor
Show
2012
Britain's Funniest Comedy Characters
Narrator
Show
2012
Hyde Park on Hudson
Actor
Elizabeth
Movie
2012
See Me
Actor
Miss
Show
2011
Exile
Actor
Nancy Ronstadt
Show
2011
Twenty Twelve
Actor
Sally Owen
Show
2011
Tyrannosaur
Actor
Hannah
Movie
2011
The Iron LadyStream
Actor
Carol Thatcher
Movie
2011
Accused
Actor
Sue
Series
2010
Lorraine
Guest
Show
2010
Rev.
Actor
Show
2010
The Borrowers
Voice
Homily
Movie
2010
Le Donk & Scor-zay-zee
Actor
Olivia
Movie
2009
Le Donk and Scor-zay-zee
Actor
Movie
2009
Beautiful People
Actor
Debbie Doonan
Show
2008
Hancock and Joan
Actor
Marion
Show
2008
Consuming Passion
Actor
Janet/Nurse Violetta Kiss
Movie
2008
Would I Lie to You?Stream
Contestant
Game Show
2007
The Graham Norton ShowStream
Guest
Talk
2007
Fabulous
Self
Show
2007
Skins
Guest Star
Show
2007
Hot FuzzStream
Actor
PC Doris Thatcher
Movie
2007
Grow Your Own
Actor
Alice
Movie
2007
Dog Altogether
Actor
Anita
Movie
2007
The Grey Man
Actor
Movie
2007
That Mitchell and Webb Look
Actor
Show
2006
The One Show
Guest
Show
2006
Confetti
Actor
Joanna
Movie
2006
Love Soup
Actor
Show
2005
ET Canada
Guest
Show
2005
Doctor WhoStream
Guest Star
Mother
Series
2005
Much Ado About Nothing
Actor
Ursula
Movie
2005
Who Do You Think You Are?
Guest
Show
2004
Green WingStream
Actor
Harriet Schulenburg
Series
2004
Terkel in Trouble
Voice
Terkel's Mom
Movie
2004
Peep ShowStream
Actor
Series
2003
That Mitchell and Webb Sound
Voice
Show
2003
The House of Milton Jones
Voice
Show
2003
Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway
Self
Show
2002
Rescue Me
Guest Star
Show
2002
Lifeline
Narrator
Show
2000
The SimpsonsStream
Guest Voice
Lily
Series
1989
This Morning
Self
Show
1988
Thomas & FriendsStream
Voice
Marion
Series
1984
Natural World
Narrator
Show
1983
Today
Guest
News
1952
Photos
News aboutOlivia Colman
Spoiler Alert
‘The Bear’: Ranking the 21 Best Guest Star Appearances So Far
Spoiler Alert
How Did ‘The Crown’ End Queen Elizabeth II’s Story? Those Returns, Explained
As ‘The Crown’ Ends, What Are Its Former Stars Up To?
‘The Crown’ Sets Two-Part Final Season Premiere as Netflix Teases Princess Diana’s Death (VIDEO)
‘Broadchurch’ Hit American TV 10 Years Ago: Where’s the Cast Now?
Q&A
‘Heartstopper’: Kit Connor on Nick’s Coming Out Challenges & Why Paris is Important in Season 2
‘Heartstopper’: Charlie & Nick’s Love Story Heads to Paris in Season 2 Trailer
‘The Crown’ Filming Queen Elizabeth II Tribute With Claire Foy, Olivia Colman & Imelda Staunton: Report
‘Secret Invasion’ Trailer: Nick Fury Preps for ‘One Last Fight,’ Marvel Sets Release Date (VIDEO)
Preview
FX’s ‘Great Expectations’ Goes to the ‘Dark Places’ Charles Dickens Couldn’t
‘The Night Manager’ Season 2 in Works With Tom Hiddleston Reprising Role as Jonathan Pine
‘Great Expectations’ Brings Pip’s Complicated Tale to Life in New Trailer (VIDEO)
See Olivia Colman’s Miss Havisham in ‘Great Expectations’ Teaser (VIDEO)
‘Secret Invasion’ Trailer: Nick Fury & Maria Hill Return to Fight Skrulls in Disney+ Series (VIDEO)
Queen Elizabeth’s 10 Best Portrayals on Screen (PHOTOS)
‘Scrooge: A Christmas Carol’: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley & Luke Evans Join Netflix Adaptation
‘Great Expectations’: First Look at Olivia Colman in FX & BBC Limited Series (PHOTOS)
Oscars 2022: See 14 Nominees in Their Notable TV Roles
Can’t Miss Episode of the Week: ‘Landscapers’ Finale Is Quietly Beautiful
Review
Roush Review: Pathos Blurs With Fantasy in HBO’s True-Crime ‘Landscapers’
What’s Coming & Going From HBO Max in December 2021
‘Landscapers’: See Olivia Colman & David Thewlis in First Teaser for True-Crime Dark Comedy (VIDEO)
‘Landscapers’: HBO Releases First Look at Olivia Colman and David Thewlis (PHOTOS)
Marvel Disney+ Series: Your Guide to ‘Hawkeye,’ ‘Secret Invasion’ & More
Oscars 2021: See 11 Nominees in Their Captivating TV Roles
‘Secret Invasion’: Emilia Clarke Joins Olivia Colman & Samuel L. Jackson in Disney+ Series
Olivia Colman Reportedly Joining Samuel L. Jackson in Nick Fury Series ‘Secret Invasion’
Why Is a U.K. Government Official Demanding ‘The Crown’ Be Labeled Fiction?
‘The Crown’: The True Story Behind Buckingham Palace’s Michael Fagan Break-In
Preview
‘The Crown’s Cast & Creator Preview Season 4’s Royal Drama
Review
Roush Review: A Season of ‘The Crown’ to Di For
Q&A
‘The Crown’: Josh O’Connor & Emma Corrin on Being Charles & Diana (VIDEO)
Preview
‘The Crown’s Costume Designer on Creating Princess Diana’s Dazzling Season 4 Looks
‘The Crown’s Compelling Trailer Pits the Queen Against Thatcher (VIDEO)
‘The Crown’ Previews Royal Love & Death in Season 4 First Look (VIDEO)
Apple TV+ Unveils Fall Documentary Slate Featuring Olivia Colman, Paul Rudd & Tom Hiddleston
‘The Crown’ Teases Princess Diana’s Arrival in Season 4 First Look (VIDEO)
TV Episodes That Could Win These Emmy Nominees Gold in 2020
Netflix Pushes ‘The Crown’ Season 5 to 2022 as Filming Takes a Break
‘The Crown’ Extended to Sixth and Final Season at Netflix
Everything We Learned Behind the Scenes of the Golden Globes (PHOTOS)
Best Lines of the Week (Nov. 15 – 21): ‘Let’s Not Make This Any More Unpleasant Than It Has to Be’
Review
Roush Review: New Cast, Same Gripping Royal Drama in ‘The Crown’ Season 3
See ‘The Crown’ Season 3 Cast in Character in New Portraits (PHOTOS)
‘The Crown’: The Times Are Changing for the Royals in Season 3 Trailer (VIDEO)
Watch Olivia Colman’s Introduction as Queen Elizabeth II in ‘The Crown’ Season 3 (VIDEO)
‘The Crown’s Olivia Colman to Play a Femme Fatale on ‘The Simpsons’
Netflix Announces ‘The Crown’ Season 3 Premiere Date (VIDEO)
15 Fan Favorite Stars to Look Out for on TV This Fall (PHOTOS)
Preview
‘The Crown’ Season 3: How the Former Cast Helped the New Actors (PHOTOS)
‘The Crown’ Season 3: The New Cast Is Looking Quite Regal (PHOTOS)
Helena Bonham Carter and Jason Watkins Join ‘The Crown’ Season 3
‘Broadchurch’ Producer on The Final Season: ‘I Think the Audience Will Be Very Pleased With the Journey’
Review
Roush Review: ‘Broadchurch’ Continues to Set a High Bar for Mysteries
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