Olivia Colman

Sarah Caroline Sinclair (née Colman; born 30 January 1974), known professionally as Olivia Colman, is an English actress. Known for her versatility across both comedic and dramatic roles predominantly in independent film, she has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, two Emmy Awards, four BAFTAs, three Golden Globe Awards and a Volpi Cup.

A graduate of the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Colman's breakthrough came in the Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show (2003–2015). Her other comedic roles on television include Green Wing (2004–2006), That Mitchell and Webb Look (2006–2008), Beautiful People (2008–2009), Rev. (2010–2014), Flowers (2016–2018), and Fleabag (2016–2019). Colman received the BAFTA Award for Best Female Comedy Performance for the comedy series Twenty Twelve (2011–2012) and Best Supporting Actress for the crime series Accused (2012).

Colman earned acclaim for her performance in the ITV crime-drama series Broadchurch (2013–2017), for which she received the British Academy Television Award for Best Actress, and in the BBC One thriller series The Night Manager (2016–2026), for which she received the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress. She played Queen Elizabeth II from 2019 to 2020 in the Netflix period drama series The Crown, for which she received the Golden Globe Award and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress. Her other television credits include Les Misérables (2019), Landscapers (2021), Heartstopper (2022–2023), and The Bear (2023–2025).

Colman achieved wider recognition for her portrayal of Anne, Queen of Great Britain in the period black-comedy film The Favourite (2018), which won her the Academy Award for Best Actress. She received further Academy Award nominations for her performances in the dramas The Father (2020) and The Lost Daughter (2021). Her other notable film credits include Tyrannosaur (2011), The Iron Lady (2011), Hyde Park on Hudson (2012), Locke (2013), The Lobster (2015), Empire of Light (2022), Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022), Wonka (2023), Wicked Little Letters (2023), Paddington in Peru (2024), and The Roses (2025).