Olivia Colman

Olivia Colman Headshot

Actress

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
The Reverend Mother
Movie
2024

The Amanpour Hour

Self
News
2023

Assembled: The Making of Secret Invasion

Self
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2023

Secret InvasionStream

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Sonya Falsworth
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2023
53%

The Making Of: Empire of Light

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2023

Great ExpectationsStream

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Miss Havisham
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2023
43%

WonkaStream

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Mrs. Scrubbit
Movie
2023
82%

Wicked Little Letters

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Edith Swan
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2023
72%

Wonka (Acessibilidade)

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Mrs. Scrubbit
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2023

Joyride: Extras

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2022

HBO First Look: Empire of Light

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2022

Playing the Queen

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2022

HeartstopperStream

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Sarah Nelson
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2022
98%

Puss in Boots: The Last WishStream

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Mama Bear
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2022
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Joyride

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Joy
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2022

Empire of LightStream

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Hilary
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2022
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Scrooge: A Christmas CarolStream

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Ghost of Christmas Past
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2022
38%

Superworm

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2021

LandscapersStream

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Susan Edwards
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2021
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LandscapersStream

Executive Producer
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2021
98%

Olivia Colman vs Alan Carr Celebrity Doctors for SU2C

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2021

Trip Hazard: My Great British Adventure

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2021

Ojciec

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Anne
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2021

The Mitchells vs. the Machines

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Pal
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2021

Ron's Gone WrongStream

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Donka
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2021
80%

The Lost DaughterStream

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Leda
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2021
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The Lost DaughterStream

Executive Producer
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2021
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Mothering Sunday

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Mrs. Niven
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2021

Superworm

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2021

Cinderella: A Comic Relief Pantomime for Christmas

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Fairy Godmother
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2020

Cinderella: A Comic Relief Pantomime for Christmas: Director's Cut

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Fairy Godmother
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2020

Becoming YouStream

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2020

Global Goal: Unite for Our Future -- The Concert

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2020

Turtle Journey

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2020

The FatherStream

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Anne
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2020
98%

Nasrin

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2020

The Favourite Interview Special

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2019

Them That Follow

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Hope
Movie
2019

Andrew Davies: Rewriting the Classics

Self
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2018

Les MisérablesStream

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Madame Thenardier
Miniseries
2018
88%

Los miserables

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Madame Thenardier
Show
2018

Watership DownStream

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Strawberry
Miniseries
2018
74%

The Making Of: The Favourite

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2018

Thomas & Friends: Here Comes the Steam Team!

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Marion
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2018

The Private Life Of The Royal Academy

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2018

Flatpack Empire

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2018

The FavouriteStream

Actor
Queen Anne
Movie
2018
93%

Unexpected Item

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Till
Movie
2018

The Breakfast Couch

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2017

Murder on the Orient ExpressStream

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Hildegarde Schmidt
Movie
2017
60%

We're Going on a Bear Hunt

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Mum
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2016

Women Talking About Cars

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2016

The CrownStream

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Queen Elizabeth II
Series
2016
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Thomas & Friends: Full Steam to the Rescue!

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Marion
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2016

FleabagStream

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Godmother
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2016
100%

The Extraordinary Case of Alex Lewis

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2016

FlowersStream

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Deborah
Series
2016
100%

The Night Manager: Extras

Actor
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2016

Our Queen at 90

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2016

The Story of Cats

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2016

David Harewood's F Word

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2016

The Night ManagerStream

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Angela Burr
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2016

The Night Manager

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Angela Burr
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2016

The Secret Life of the ZooStream

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Reality
2016

We're Going on a Bear Hunt

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Mum
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2016

The Late Show With Stephen ColbertStream

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2015

Earth's Natural Wonders: Living on the Edge

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2015

Thomas and Friends: Dinos & Discoveries

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Marion
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2015

David Attenborough Meets President Obama

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2015

The Late Late Show With James CordenStream

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2015

Thomas & Friends: Dinos & Discoveries

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Marion
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2015

London Road

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Julie
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2015

Thomas & Friends: Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure

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2015

The LobsterStream

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Hotel Manager
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2015
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Thomas & Friends: Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure

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2015

Thomas & Friends: Signals Crossed

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2014

The Secrets

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Pippa
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2014

The Great War: The People's Story

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2014

Mr. Sloane

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Janet Sloane
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2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream

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2014

Big Ballet

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2014

The Kumars

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2014

The 7.39

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Maggie Matthews
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2014

Thomas & Friends: Tale of the Brave

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Marion
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2014

Pudsey the Dog: The Movie

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Nelly
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2014

The 7.39

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Maggie Matthews
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2014

The Kármán Line

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Sarah
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2014

Tomek i Przyjaciele: Opowieść o Odwadze

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Marion
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2014

Cuban Fury

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Sam
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2014

The Thirteenth Tale

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Margaret Lea
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2013

The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot

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2013

Run

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2013

The Suspicions of Mr Whicher

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2013

BroadchurchStream

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DS Ellie Miller
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2013
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Hyde Park on Hudson Interview Special

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2013

The Thirteenth Tale

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Margaret Lea
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2013

LockeStream

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Bethan
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2013
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The Suspicions of Mr Whicher: The Murder in Angel Lane

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Susan Spencer
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2013

I Give It a Year

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Linda
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2013

Bad Sugar

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2012

Britain's Funniest Comedy Characters

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2012

Hyde Park on Hudson

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Elizabeth
Movie
2012

See Me

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Miss
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2011

Exile

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Nancy Ronstadt
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2011

Twenty Twelve

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Sally Owen
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2011

Tyrannosaur

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Hannah
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2011

The Iron LadyStream

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Carol Thatcher
Movie
2011
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Accused

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Sue
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2010

Rev.

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2010

The Borrowers

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Homily
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2010

Le Donk & Scor-zay-zee

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Olivia
Movie
2009

Le Donk and Scor-zay-zee

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2009

Beautiful People

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2008

Hancock and Joan

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Marion
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2008

Consuming Passion

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Janet/Nurse Violetta Kiss
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2008

Would I Lie to You?Stream

Contestant
Game Show
2007

The Graham Norton ShowStream

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Talk
2007

Fabulous

Self
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2007

Skins

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2007

Hot FuzzStream

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PC Doris Thatcher
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2007
91%

Grow Your Own

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Alice
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2007

Dog Altogether

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Anita
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2007

That Mitchell and Webb Look

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2006

The One Show

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2006

Confetti

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Joanna
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Love Soup

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ET Canada

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2005

Doctor WhoStream

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Mother
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2005
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Much Ado About Nothing

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Ursula
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2005

Who Do You Think You Are?

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2004

Green WingStream

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Harriet Schulenburg
Series
2004

Terkel in Trouble

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Terkel's Mom
Movie
2004

Peep ShowStream

Actor
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2003
96%

That Mitchell and Webb Sound

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2003

The House of Milton Jones

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2003

Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway

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2002

Rescue Me

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2002

Lifeline

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The SimpsonsStream

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Lily
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1989
85%

This Morning

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Thomas & Friends

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Marion
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Natural World

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Today

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News aboutOlivia Colman

Olivia Colman, Imelda Staunton, and Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II in 'The Crown' - Season 6, Part 2
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How Did ‘The Crown’ End Queen Elizabeth II’s Story? Those Returns, Explained

Claire Foy and Matt Smith in The Crown

As ‘The Crown’ Ends, What Are Its Former Stars Up To?

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‘The Crown’ Sets Two-Part Final Season Premiere as Netflix Teases Princess Diana’s Death (VIDEO)

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‘Broadchurch’ Hit American TV 10 Years Ago: Where’s the Cast Now?

Joe Locke and Kit Connor in Heartstopper - Season 2
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‘Heartstopper’: Kit Connor on Nick’s Coming Out Challenges & Why Paris is Important in Season 2

Joe Locke, Kit Connor, William Gao, and Yasmin Finney for 'Heartstopper' Season 2

‘Heartstopper’: Charlie & Nick’s Love Story Heads to Paris in Season 2 Trailer

Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, and Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II in 'The Crown'

‘The Crown’ Filming Queen Elizabeth II Tribute With Claire Foy, Olivia Colman & Imelda Staunton: Report

Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury in Marvel's 'Secret Invasion' trailer

‘Secret Invasion’ Trailer: Nick Fury Preps for ‘One Last Fight,’ Marvel Sets Release Date (VIDEO)

Olivia Colman - 'Great Expectations'
Preview

FX’s ‘Great Expectations’ Goes to the ‘Dark Places’ Charles Dickens Couldn’t

Tom Hiddleston & Elizabeth Debicki in 'The Night Manager'

‘The Night Manager’ Season 2 in Works With Tom Hiddleston Reprising Role as Jonathan Pine

Shalom Brune-Franklin and Fionn Whitehead in 'Great Expectations'

‘Great Expectations’ Brings Pip’s Complicated Tale to Life in New Trailer (VIDEO)

Olivia Colman as Miss Havisham in Great Expectations

See Olivia Colman’s Miss Havisham in ‘Great Expectations’ Teaser (VIDEO)

Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury in Marvel 'Secret Invasion' trailer

‘Secret Invasion’ Trailer: Nick Fury & Maria Hill Return to Fight Skrulls in Disney+ Series (VIDEO)

Queen Elizabeth II Portrayals TV and Movies - the Crown, The Queen, SNL

Queen Elizabeth’s 10 Best Portrayals on Screen (PHOTOS)

Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, and Luke Evans

‘Scrooge: A Christmas Carol’: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley & Luke Evans Join Netflix Adaptation

Olivia Colman as Miss Havisham, Fionn Whitehead as Pip in Great Expectations

‘Great Expectations’: First Look at Olivia Colman in FX & BBC Limited Series (PHOTOS)

Oscar Nominated Stars TV Roles, Will Smith, Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst, Ariana DeBose

Oscars 2022: See 14 Nominees in Their Notable TV Roles

Olivia Colman and David Thewlis in the Landscapers finale

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’

'The Matrix Resurrections,' HBO Max, Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity, Keanu Reeves as Neo

What’s Coming & Going From HBO Max in December 2021

David Thewlis as Christopher and Olivia Colman as Susan toasting in 'Landscapers' on HBO

‘Landscapers’: See Olivia Colman & David Thewlis in First Teaser for True-Crime Dark Comedy (VIDEO)

Olivia Colman as Susan and David Thewlis as Christopher in a diner in 'Landscapers' on HBO

‘Landscapers’: HBO Releases First Look at Olivia Colman and David Thewlis (PHOTOS)

Marvel Disney+ Series: Your Guide For What's to Come, Featured Image

Marvel Disney+ Series: Your Guide to ‘Hawkeye,’ ‘Secret Invasion’ & More

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Oscars 2021: See 11 Nominees in Their Captivating TV Roles

Emilia Clarke at the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

‘Secret Invasion’: Emilia Clarke Joins Olivia Colman & Samuel L. Jackson in Disney+ Series

Olivia Colman at the 2020 EE British Academy Film Awards

Olivia Colman Reportedly Joining Samuel L. Jackson in Nick Fury Series ‘Secret Invasion’

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Why Is a U.K. Government Official Demanding ‘The Crown’ Be Labeled Fiction?

The Crown Season 4

‘The Crown’: The True Story Behind Buckingham Palace’s Michael Fagan Break-In

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‘The Crown’s Cast & Creator Preview Season 4’s Royal Drama

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Roush Review: A Season of ‘The Crown’ to Di For

The Crown, Josh O'Connor, Emma Corrin
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‘The Crown’: Josh O’Connor & Emma Corrin on Being Charles & Diana (VIDEO)

Emma Corrin waving as Princess Diana in The Crown - Season 4
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‘The Crown’s Costume Designer on Creating Princess Diana’s Dazzling Season 4 Looks

Olivia Colman in The Crown - Season 4

‘The Crown’s Compelling Trailer Pits the Queen Against Thatcher (VIDEO)

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‘The Crown’ Previews Royal Love & Death in Season 4 First Look (VIDEO)

tiny world

Apple TV+ Unveils Fall Documentary Slate Featuring Olivia Colman, Paul Rudd & Tom Hiddleston

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‘The Crown’ Teases Princess Diana’s Arrival in Season 4 First Look (VIDEO)

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TV Episodes That Could Win These Emmy Nominees Gold in 2020

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Netflix Pushes ‘The Crown’ Season 5 to 2022 as Filming Takes a Break

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‘The Crown’ Extended to Sixth and Final Season at Netflix

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Everything We Learned Behind the Scenes of the Golden Globes (PHOTOS)

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Best Lines of the Week (Nov. 15 – 21): ‘Let’s Not Make This Any More Unpleasant Than It Has to Be’

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Roush Review: New Cast, Same Gripping Royal Drama in ‘The Crown’ Season 3

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See ‘The Crown’ Season 3 Cast in Character in New Portraits (PHOTOS)

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‘The Crown’: The Times Are Changing for the Royals in Season 3 Trailer (VIDEO)

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Watch Olivia Colman’s Introduction as Queen Elizabeth II in ‘The Crown’ Season 3 (VIDEO)

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‘The Crown’s Olivia Colman to Play a Femme Fatale on ‘The Simpsons’

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Netflix Announces ‘The Crown’ Season 3 Premiere Date (VIDEO)

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Preview

‘The Crown’ Season 3: How the Former Cast Helped the New Actors (PHOTOS)

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‘The Crown’ Season 3: The New Cast Is Looking Quite Regal (PHOTOS)

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Helena Bonham Carter and Jason Watkins Join ‘The Crown’ Season 3

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‘Broadchurch’ Producer on The Final Season: ‘I Think the Audience Will Be Very Pleased With the Journey’

Olivia Colman and David Tennant in Broadchurch
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Roush Review: ‘Broadchurch’ Continues to Set a High Bar for Mysteries

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Roush Review: Star Power Fuels the Thrilling ‘Night Manager’; ‘Containment’ Merely Deadly