Tearful Olivia Finds 17th Century Family Portraits | Who Do You Think You Are

[@ct5625]

Olivia is one of those people you could sit down next to in the pub having never spoken to them before and have a new friend by the end of the evening. What a genuinely lovely person.

[@elliest55]

She's so incredibly sweet and funny/quirky at the same time

[@junbh2]

That makes me think of something sad I heard in an interview with her once... she said she didn't really like going to pubs anymore because (I'm paraphrasing) she finds it intimidating when she meets a stranger and they already know her, but she doesn't know them. That actually kind of makes sense to me that that would be a weird experience. On the other hand she also said that she loves acting so much that it's worth it.

[@slydoll7877]

She's a bit of a treasure isn't she. Absolutely lovely.

[@lykacastuciano1604]

Conran Thomas yes she is

[@obisan666]

So true

[@charismalyn]

How cool to have a distant cousin who has been preserving the family history for so long (and willing to share info!!). He's awesome!

[@romem1952]

There's likely one somewhere. Someone could have hundreds of descendants in only a few generations back then.

[@MusizKanuck]

I started researching my family tree almost a year ago and found a second cousin from the same generation as my late grandfather, and he has a lot of information about his side of the family. We’re hoping to meet later this summer! So indeed, it’s possible!

[@sammyjo8109]

I have wondered why those with family history and especially photos are not willing to share. I have a cousin who refuses to share family photos, as her farther also did when he inherited them from my Grandmother, but is keen to ask the rest of the family for informtion. Such selfish people.

[@nomdeplume2213]

Right! I would love that. I know pretty much nothing of my family

[@norge0209]

That’s why we do it!

[@LouLikestowatch]

Olivia is a super empath. She is feeling for people who have been gone for centuries. No wonder she is such a brilliant actress.

[@terryhardie7076]

Outstanding

[@Thebearmre7]

My thoughts exactly

[@tbrowniscool]

She just oozes kindness, national treasure 100%

[@thomasstevens4814]

This woman just exudes pure warmth. So, so, so lovely

[@Bluebuthappy182]

That guy did an incredible job at documenting the history of his family.

[@RLviddy]

They're five times removed from one another but they have the same spirit and attitude. Love it.

[@madoldbatwoman]

I just *know* that Olivia curled up on a big cosy bed, with her children gathered around her, and told them the story of how they "all came from India because ..." and that her children sometimes ask her to tell them about India Harriet again. What an amazing story! Marvellous episode. Couldn't happen to a nicer, warmer, celebrity than Olivia.

[@TheLunamireles]

littlewoodimp 😭 you’re absolutely right

[@sassytbc7923]

I can tell she is a lovely sort... but I am in Texas. What is she known for?

[@00sophiiiie00]

@@sassytbc7923 she is an actor. Most recently, known for acting as the queen in seasons 3 and 4 in the nexflix show - The Crown :)

[@PolarBear-rc4ks]

@@sassytbc7923 watch broadchurch, she's great in that

[@cynthiasnyder1561]

@@sassytbc7923 , I saw her as a detective in a bbc television series alongside David Tenant. She is a wonderful actress!

[@MsKishwish]

1. I am invested in seeing this man's sweater collection #originalgangsta 2. I have never cried so hard over strangers before, just goes to show we are all family. We all have more things in common than we don't!

[@sadiaadil6423]

Haha with u on both your points

[@macareuxmoine]

🤣 went back to properly appreciate the sweater 👍🏻 love me a senior not dressed in beige 🎨

[@ShashankD137]

Is ur name really kishwish ?

[@MsKishwish]

@@ShashankD137 Kish :)

[@ShashankD137]

@@MsKishwish what an adorable name .. never heard it before but cute as hell haha

[@BretonInTokyo]

One of the loveliest and warmest episodes ever. Her reactions are soooooo genuine and beautiful !

[@DevikaK1293]

I really appreciate that Olivia's episode has focused so much on the women in her family - beginning with her own mother and then onto Harriet, her mother, grandmother, great-aunt and great-grandmother. So rarely do we focus on women's part in lineages. I don't know anything about the women in my family past my great-grandmothers and this is so refreshing.

[@summergram]

very well said

[@claireconolly8355]

Good point, yes!

[@arkanjatree]

I thought the same! On the other handand it must be easier tracking the male side because the last name remaines unchanged throughout generations

[@lucinda2329]

❤️~✿~❧~🌿~❧~✿~❤️

[@raorihanshu7113]

Easy to find in india.

[@sjc4]

Talented, humble, totally approachable. I hope Olivia gets an Oscar nod for The Favourite... couldn't happen to a more deserving person.

[@WhoDoYouThinkYouAre]

🙏

[@stuartashbourne-martin9629]

.She's now playing the Queen in The Crown which I think I'll be on Netflix probably next year can't wait to see her I think she's lovely as well she's also a fantastic actress

[@schwagarm]

She is such a remarkable actor and such a lovely person. Her beautiful nature has allowed her to channel emotion, like she feels everything that others feel and walks with them. Its wonderful that a character actor like her is having such success at this stage of her career.

[@afafreen]

She ultimately won it! And I’m so happy 💜

[@SandeepSarkar5289]

And she won!

[@CarolsCurrentObsession]

Am I the only one who thinks Olivia looks like the many times great grandmother hanging in the hallway at Geordie's house?! What a lovely, heart-warming, Austin-ian lot! I so love this episode.💞😊💞

[@lynnmoses3563]

Nope..she looks incredibly like her

[@derekmills5394]

I would love to communicate with the Scots gentleman! I too owe my existence to the Slessor family but not as their descendant! Dr Slessor attended my birth in 1960, he being Colonial Surgeon in the Falkland Islands at the time. Mum had a hard time having me and she recalls that once he visited her during her confinement in the middle of the night following a dance, resplendent in his Scots regalia. He was there for some years and I remember him making home visits when I was poorly. He was much loved in the Islands. Given the colonial history of the family in this program, I would be surprised if 'my' Dr Slessor were not related.

[@TheSuzberry]

Derek Mills - lovely story. Thanks for sharing.

[@justvin7214]

Dr Robert Slessor first visited the Falkland Islands whilst 2-in-C of an Antarctic Survey where he had Slessor Peak named after him.

[@Helmaron1538]

@Derek Mills The name Mary Slessor popped into my head as I was reading your post. After a quick Google I was reminded that she was a missionary in Africa. Not sure if she was connected to Olivia's ancestors as she was from a poor working class background. She was born in 1848 and died in 1915.

[@georgielancaster1356]

​@@Helmaron1538 Plus Kenneth Adolphe Slessor, Australian poet, WW2 reporter and journalist! We've added another branch to the family tree!

[@georgielancaster1356]

Oh. Just found out family was originally a Schloesser or somesuch, but his mother was from The Hebrides, which is interesting. Was it nee McInnes?

[@largee24]

The letters, it was like listening to someone reading a Jane Austen novel.

[@perrywilliams4593]

Liz Large i’m beginning to think that maybe Jane Austen was a, dare I say it, plagiarist! 😲🤐🥴

[@anasapsana824]

Oh, people back then truly had an ability to describe everything and make a letter the brilliant essay

[@jessielynch7493]

@@anasapsana824 Yeah now it's a text of Hey cutie 😙 That's the replacement of lovely letters I am lucky to have a husband who writes me love letters It's so lovely makes me feel warm all over.

[@Sabrowsky]

All its missing is the dripping sarcasm and irony

[@this-is-not-just-a-pr-fail3263]

@@anasapsana824 don’t be condescending to our LOL’s and emojis! They perfectly express our emotions efficiently 😂😂😂

[@scouser2010ify]

She’s very lucky to have a family member with all this info

[@jeneenr33]

Olivia looks just like her ancestor! Considering how far back the connection is it's amazing.

[@josephtaylor6285]

How amazing to have all of your family documents and paintings of ancestors as well as a competent steward to guard it all.

[@davedogge2280]

Olivia is like that utterly lovely mad aunt ! slightly batty but with a heart and soul of gold !

[@HestonBeth]

I've just gotten interested in Olivia Colman because of her turn to play Elizabeth II in "The Crown." I saw her in The Favourite and realised she was the same actor who was in Broadchurch. She's quite an actress, but this show explores her as a person and I think she's lovely--so enthused and sharing her feelings for her ancestors. I also do genealogical research and feel like I've found people I have to honor and be brave for. Ms. Colman did indeed take that Oscar someone mentioned and seeing this show, for some reason, makes me happier for her!

[@thunderousapplause]

the sweet man is so tickled that someone else is so excited and moved by these long-ago but v much once alive! people.

[@Wally-H]

You can get a sense of why Olivia is such a great actress, in this episode. Her ability to read those documents from so long ago and feel the emotions of the parting - that ability to put yourself in the shoes of another (or character in a script) and work out how they would have felt and acted in a situation is a great skill for someone in her trade.

[@queendeirdre7436]

Olivia is such a lovely person! Her smile is infectious ! 🇮🇪

[@corvus1374]

This shows why Harriot's grandmother wanted her back in England. She was so devoted to Harriot's father.

[@RB-oz1mm]

All the parts of this episode are amazing. She’s so sweet crying in every one. What a family story! Should be a film!

[@bonchance9241]

Warm hearted & open minded Olivia, what a wonderful family . how lovely to see.

[@Angie_978]

No wonder the Elder Harriet sent for Harriet upon learning of her son's (Harriet's father's) death. She lost so much and wanted to hang on to her granddaughter, which was all she had left of her son.

[@mari0vell]

Angie 978 and I can see why elder Harriet’s sister considered her great-niece in her will. It sounds like the great-aunt was close to William and felt affection for his daughter.

[@amiquigonzales7917]

@@mari0vell And she was a beautiful mixed beauty really Mediterranean-looking or somethng: not a dark tanned Indian woman.

[@mugdhanbapat]

@@amiquigonzales7917 lol it sounds like you are saying dark tanned Indian women are not beautiful.. no, I know you didn’t mean it that way. This story speaks to me volumes about younger Harriet’s Indian mother.. what must have happened to her after William’s sudden demise.. the atrocities of East India Company were unspeakable, but definitely not all company employees would have been brutal. Or that’s my hope.

[@amiquigonzales7917]

@@mugdhanbapat Hopefully not ... Harriet looked like a beautiful young person, I am not saying that dark tanned Indian ladies are not beautiful, I was just trying to express how English people at the time might have felt concerning native populations. In the '80s I lived in London for one year, so I have some idea.

[@mugdhanbapat]

@@amiquigonzales7917 absolutely! How human approach changes once we understand history! May we learn to be more patient and loving from our studies of history.

[@winesalot6876]

Olivia's family is so wonderful. The women in her family all seem to love their children and grandchildren unconditionally and with great feeling, both Harriot's grandmother and Great-Aunt took her into the family and gave her a fortune. Her husband writing a Jane Austen-style romantic account of their meeting was just... *Chef Kiss*! I hope Harriot's mother was alright, it's sad to think she probably had no rights to her daughter or that she had to give her up so that she would have a better life. I hope she made out alright, too.

[@TheJonb007]

Olivia is such a precious person! You can just sense the sweetness oozing from her! Loved this!

[@rennzzos788]

I remember watching her in Broadchurch when she yelled at her son. Well, MY living room shook. What a talent she is.

[@annenyman678]

Rennzzo S i guess I better watch Broadchurch! She is such a love,y person besides being a great actress.

[@rennzzos788]

@@annenyman678 Oh, you're gonna love it.

[@Ceelle2]

Just love this woman! She is an amazing actor and by all we see a fantastic person.

[@ar12281]

Olivia comes from a long line of kindness, generosity, compassion, gentleness. I want to sit and have coffee with Olivia. She's such a sweetheart such a tender hearted person

[@elisabethnerolk2283]

ANYBODY seen that the man and olivia both look very much alike?

[@floraposteschild4184]

I didn't think so until they smiled.

[@sadiaadil6423]

I was lookin for this comment! Yes I do see the resemblance

[@hembafantilley-gyado9168]

I saw that within seconds of them meeting each other

[@Draculhuhn]

Omg....😳.....you are absolutely right! I had to watch again, I did not notice , thank you! All I could think about was how he reminded me of Arthur Weasley from the Rowling books

[@themeiafy]

I was literally going to comment that they could be mistaken for siblings, but I decided to check for similar comments first

[@Analiffey1916]

I have just binge watched Olivia, I don’t know which is worse, the end of her journey or just watching this fabulous lady, my goodness the emotions the genuine joy, love and not forgetting the heartfelt tears!!! What a rollercoaster ride! Thank you Olivia for allowing me to come along!! You have to be one of the friendliest people that I have never met!! 💚

[@Gromit801]

I wish we'd get the British edition of this show in the States. We did have an interesting one wherein Courtney Cox traced her lineage to William the Conqueror.

[@amys2650]

So did danny dyer

[@wandertree]

Oh gosh, I was able to trace mine to William the Conqueror. Crazy! Probably a lot of his descendants walking around!

[@Timg1231]

They do it’s on PBS. Henry Lewis Gates hosts the show and it is called finding your roots.

[@hexagon9895]

Try ololo.to

[@samhain1894]

onceuponalake yes, it is said that 25% of the English population is related to William the Conqueror. Plus North Americans with British ancestry would be descendants as well...so not so uncommon.

[@265petsar]

Olivia is a true gem, her attitude and wonderment in every thing she does is so refreshing. The way she portrays herself as your friend next door says so much about her character, she is truly a wonderful woman who so happy in being the person she is. John ( Liverpool ).

[@ambatrondavis9488]

Um that is one cute lady! she seems so genuinely kind!

[@judithburke1539]

The gentleman had on the most wonderful jumper!!! I'm so glad that he was able to give her so much information and insights into her heritage.

[@corvus1374]

I love all of the paintings on his walls.

[@CaitCanCoach]

Olivia! I really enjoyed watching your journey. I could just give you a huge hug. 🤗

[@LilliLamour]

Olivia is really down to earth. Very warm and genuine person she is...

[@esgiddings55]

Love her. What a kind heart she has.

[@O-Demi]

Why are all these people in her family so romantic and absolutely in touch with their emotions? They seem like such beautiful people - just like her!

[@jeremysears4263]

Way to go Olivia. You cleaned up all the acting awards straight to the Academy. Great speach.

[@lincliff663]

I would be so happy to discover a relative like this chap. His warmth and enthusiasm are brilliant.

[@karenwilbur2492]

I have watched your whole incredible journey in one night and I am almost brought to tears. I think If I were to have been in Scotland with your relative I would have sat down on those stairs after seeing that final portrait of your french great sixth generation Grandmother and I would have been sobbing!! What a wonderful story of loss and love that breathes new life into an unknown past and heritage that feels more tangible with every turn upon it's reveal, absolutely amazing!! I started my journey on an online ancestry site with my Grandmother on my Mother's side and found it back to Tipperary Ireland! I knew I was on my Father's side but not my Mother's, and that is the as far as I went thus far!! How exciting to see this unfold with the emotional hand written letters and journals, now I yearn to find more answers with my own heritage!!

[@deemiller9576]

I can't how much she looks like her French great great grandmother

[@Helmaron1538]

True. When I saw the portrait of her I immediately thought of Olivia playing Queen Anne in her recent film.

[@maryfrump7937]

To see portraits of long ago ancestors is amazing. I am so lucky to be able to see them.

[@Festoniaful]

Olivia's journey was absolutely fantastic!

[@djm4854]

I'm sorry, but I have to comment on how fabulously precious this man's sweater is. I honestly need it in my life.

[@mimiashford5544]

I didn't think I could like her more....she's just the sweetest darling; I love her genuineness & compassion. She's an excellent actor, too! #broadchurch

[@jamesweible5357]

I always though olivia was a lovely person, and this just cements it for me, what a gem of a person.

[@AngelaSealana]

How wonderful this adventure was! I'm grateful to Olivia and her family for sharing it.

[@marilynhamilton5910]

I've just come across this and I'm in floods of tears there's something about Olivia Coleman that's very honest and down to earth.

[@samposampo9432]

IT is very impressiv to Listen to all of those very well written letters. Wonder What people 200 years from now will find about us? This is an amazing Story and such a lovely Lady!

[@sosopeople9157]

Sampo Sampo Instagram and Facebook posts and some nudes. Sad, isn’t it?

[@timmurphy2221]

What a fantastic story. I was right beside her the whole way, jumping in joy, lamenting in sadness, but loving the adventure as she discovered the incredible life of her lots-of-great grandmother(s) Harriett and their vivid lives. This was such a rollercoaster ride for Olivia. I'm thankful she was able to share it with us. Like C Thomas notes below, she does seem like a person that is such a good soul, one could become fast friends immediately.

[@utubesuper1234]

She seems like such a genuinely sensitive person, love that she immediately remarks about the realisation of how the passed down family narrative remembered that there was someone french but didn’t remember the Indian ancestor. She doesnt brush over the racial invisibilisation even when talking about her own family history 👏

[@michaelflinn7784]

I just love Olivia. So warm and funny.

[@MelliaBoomBot]

oh my, a real roller coaster of emotions that one! brought a tear now and again. thanks so much for the upload

[@maryscott9430]

I woukd love to hang out with Olivia. She seems so genuine and warm and caring. You can also tell she is truly excited learning shes part indian. You coukd see her joy and sadness learning about what all happened in india.❤

[@joannamallory2823]

Of course her family story is exciting! She could NOT come from boring stock! This was one of my favorite episodes.

[@drsibisudhan]

Im South indian and I wish i could learn more about my ancestors. Im greatful to have pictures of all my 4 sets of great grandparents and names of all my great great grand parents. God bless everyone. Have a great year

[@barbmck28]

I think this is my favorite of what I've seen of this show. Her enthusiasm and genuine tears made me excited for Ms Coleman. I didn't realize how happy her journey made me until I felt pain in my cheeks from smiling so much.

[@jenniferglover9905]

She is the most charming sweet bubbly person and the writings of her ancestors are so beautiful

[@kristintrisha2616]

I thoroughly enjoyed watching her journey. It must be such a fulfilling experience seeing where...better yet who...you come from.

[@dremunoz2600]

I'm so jealous that she has portraits of her ancestors, that's incredible! So glad she now has that for her family history.

[@berniemccann8935]

Numerous thumb's up. This is without one of the best episodes of WDYTYA. Olivier is one of the lucky ones.

[@ImNotaRussianBot]

Her heart is so pure and lovely.

[@ginafarina]

Gosh! What a story and Olivia is a joy! She is so genuine, I just adore her and her work. Brava!

[@talyar04]

He’s just as lovely as she is. Lovely lovely family.

[@sandyrediska]

What a great legacy to Olivia's boys. There is something so comforting in knowing who came before you.

[@rotenhoko]

Holy moly~ The similarity between Olivia and Anne Judith Bristow is remarkable!

[@pierz1981]

I love her. She comes across as such a genuine, fun and down to earth person. I found her episode of WDYTYA quite emotional, which is rare for me. She deserves all the rewards she gets in her career. I would love to meet her one day and say that.

[@jacobmilburn1318]

I love how giddy they both are. You can feel their excitement

[@debratrail4149]

I am a huge fan of Olivia Colman. I live in the US and actually have ancestry of a Colman. I watch every British movie/ tv show I can find. I love their Drama and especially their humor. I learned that I am mainly Scottish,English and Irish. Love the history!

[@cefcat5733]

Thank you for presenting this story and sharing it with us anonymous viewers.

[@daisymay9203]

Aww I love Olivia she’s like a school girl sat in history aha she’s so adorable and relatable

[@Jess0062]

I think this was my favorite episode ever of this show. I must have cried almost as much as Olivia did all through it. What an amazing story, and how lucky she is to have found access to such detailed letters and diary entries from her ancestors! I wish I could find something like that from mine.

[@maryjokarladulnuan7409]

She took the time, wonderful, amazing

[@harbourdogNL]

What an absolutely lovely and genuine person she is.

[@norge0209]

I love that Olivia already knew a lot so she understood the information she was given much better.

[@elizaheathen]

she is one of the finest humans on Earth

[@markvanalstyne1381]

She's wonderful.

[@TheKatHolden]

ohww sweet Olivia .. you never could let anybody down ❤️

[@MelbaToasted.]

I love reading this since I JUST told my husband that the next time someone asks me which celebrity I would want to have coffee with, he needs to remind me to say "Olivia Colman". I'm from the USA but she would fit right in with me and my sisters and daughter. They're all quirky and funny and not afraid to get excited over something new, or teary over something touching. Just adore her.

[@chalphon4907]

This story needs to be filmed as a TV-series or something, what a drama!

[@dylanvlahos8466]

This video is so relatable because my grandmother and I just went through some old family photos

[@mlr4524]

Subject is actress Olivia Colman, for those Americans like me who didn't know who she is. Wonderful segment.

[@AnthonyTyger]

I'm American... but Broadchurch and Peep Show are required watching in my home. :)

[@arosieworld]

Who doesn't know who she is?!

[@AnthonyTyger]

Sadly... lots and lots of Americans. Catherine Tate as well. We just don't all (Americans) know these wonderful actresses.

[@kidtroll9]

I have long admired ms Colman’s work but now I really like her as a person.

[@erinchambers9]

She is so much like her character Ellie in Broadchurch! Warm, loving and quirky. I love it!

[@jameskavanagh4315]

Olivia could never let anyone down. This women is a British national treasure.

[@dipalikalal5892]

This whole series was so beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[@MrsDyjach27]

She is a wonderful, kind person! I loved this so much!!!

[@joannehiiro1111]

Olivia's is the best one yet! :)

[@melinda5777]

I love her story and adventure. It took me twice going to Ireland trying to look up whom I've decended from and coming back to Alabama, my Mom said to me, " Well my Dad said we were from Wales." Had I'd known while I was next door, I'd hopped a ferry! 😂❤❤ I Love my Mom and so happy she is still here with me!!✝️🙏❤

[@sirandrelefaedelinoge]

I have such love for Olivia. She's beautiful.

[@19battlehill]

Olivia Coleman is so sweet, how can you not love her.

[@andymad47]

Aww,Olivia Colmans so sweet,what a lovely lady ❤️

[@dblanc3870]

These two play on each other like they were raised together.

[@RShongg]

I love the way she says “French!?” 🙃

[@justabirdcat7114]

I just love Olivia as an actress and as a person

[@peadar-o]

I’m not an emotional man... (I type with eyes welling up...)

[@MrUndersolo]

Someone’s cutting up onions in my room, too.