Olivia Colman
Actress
Birth Name: Sarah Caroline Olivia Colman
Birth Date: January 30, 1974
Age: 51 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
Zoo und so - Tierisch wild: Best of
Narrator
Show
2025
The Roses
Actor
Ivy
Movie
2025
The Roses
Executive Producer
Movie
2025
Paddington in PeruStream
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
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2023
Secret InvasionStream
Actor
Sonya Falsworth
Series
2023
The Making Of: Empire of Light
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2023
Great ExpectationsStream
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Miss Havisham
Series
2023
WonkaStream
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Mrs. Scrubbit
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2023
Wicked Little LettersStream
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Edith Swan
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2023
Wicked Little LettersStream
Producer
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2023
Playing the Queen
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2022
HeartstopperStream
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Sarah Nelson
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2022
Puss in Boots: The Last WishStream
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Mama Bear
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2022
Joyride
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Joy
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2022
Empire of LightStream
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Hilary
Movie
2022
Scrooge: A Christmas CarolStream
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Ghost of Christmas Past
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2022
Superworm
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2021
LandscapersStream
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Susan Edwards
Miniseries
2021
LandscapersStream
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Miniseries
2021
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 MachinesStream
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Pal
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2021
Ron's Gone WrongStream
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Donka
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2021
The Lost DaughterStream
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Leda
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2021
The Lost DaughterStream
Executive Producer
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2021
Mothering SundayStream
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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
Nasrin
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2020
The Favourite Interview Special
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2019
Them That Follow
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Hope
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2019
Andrew Davies: Rewriting the Classics
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2018
Les MisérablesStream
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Madame Thenardier
Miniseries
2018
Los miserables
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Madame Thenardier
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2018
Watership DownStream
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Strawberry
Miniseries
2018
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
Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures!
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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
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Queen Anne
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2018
Unexpected Item
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Till
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2018
The Breakfast Couch
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2017
Murder on the Orient ExpressStream
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Hildegarde Schmidt
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2017
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
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2016
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
The Extraordinary Case of Alex Lewis
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2016
FlowersStream
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Deborah
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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 Corden
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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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Marion
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2015
The LobsterStream
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Hotel Manager
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2015
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
Movie
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 FuryStream
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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
Hyde Park on Hudson Interview Special
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2013
The Thirteenth Tale
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Margaret Lea
Movie
2013
LockeStream
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Bethan
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2013
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
Movie
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
Show
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
Movie
2011
The Iron LadyStream
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Carol Thatcher
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2011
Accused
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Sue
Series
2010
Lorraine
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2010
Rev.
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2010
Movies With Ali Plumb
Guest
Show
2010
The Borrowers
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Homily
Movie
2010
Le Donk & Scor-zay-zee
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Olivia
Movie
2009
Le Donk and Scor-zay-zee
Actor
Movie
2009
Beautiful People
Actor
Debbie Doonan
Show
2008
Hancock and Joan
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Marion
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2008
Consuming Passion
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Janet/Nurse Violetta Kiss
Movie
2008
Would I Lie to You?Stream
Contestant
Game Show
2007
The Graham Norton ShowStream
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Talk
2007
Fabulous
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2007
Skins
Guest Star
Show
2007
Hot FuzzStream
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PC Doris Thatcher
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2007
Grow Your Own
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Alice
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2007
Dog Altogether
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Anita
Movie
2007
The Grey Man
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2007
That Mitchell and Webb Look
Actor
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2006
The One Show
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2006
Confetti
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Joanna
Movie
2006
Love Soup
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2005
ET Canada
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2005
Doctor WhoStream
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Mother
Series
2005
Much Ado About Nothing
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Ursula
Movie
2005
Who Do You Think You Are?
Guest
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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
Series
2003
That Mitchell and Webb Sound
Voice
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2003
The House of Milton Jones
Voice
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2003
Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway
Self
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2002
Rescue Me
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2002
Lifeline
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2000
The SimpsonsStream
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Lily
Series
1989
This Morning
Self
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1988
Thomas & FriendsStream
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Marion
Series
1984
Natural World
Narrator
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1983
TodayStream
Guest
News
1952
Photos
News aboutOlivia Colman
Spoiler Alert
‘The Bear’: Ranking the 25 Best Guest Star Appearances So Far
‘Malice’: Everything We Know About the David Duchovny-Led Series 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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