Who Do You Think You Are is back for another season, and we have all the details you need to know.
It’s the show that has helped solve unknown family secrets and mysteries for a myriad of Australia’s most well-known names, from Jack Thompson to Cathy Freeman to Barry Humphries and many more in between.
Now the 16th season of the genealogy reality documentary series is gearing up to launch on SBS. So, who will investigate their family tree,e and what will they find out?
Read on to find out…
Claudia Karvan
In the first episode airing May 13, acclaimed Aussie actor and producer Claudia Karvan will travel to England and Cyprus to trace her father’s lineage, including a free-spirited grandmother she’d not known. Later, she heads to New Zealand to find out what really became her maternal great-grandfather, the “black sheep” of the family.
“This journey has changed my perception of my family,” Claudia says. “I thought my family were a lot more dysfunctional, and I’ve discovered the opposite. I have much more of a connection to the ancestors I met than I ever thought possible.”
Patrick Brammell
The Colin From Accounts co-creator and star has spent years wondering if a long-held myth about his mother’s ancestry is true — and now he’s about to find out! As Patrick Brammell explores his great-grandfather’s history in the second episode of the season, he’ll find an incredible activist whose personal and public life fascinates.
“This journey has certainly woken up a whole bunch of ghosts that I didn’t know about, and it just makes things more interesting, real and visceral, and it’s made me want to learn more about it. ” Patrick says of his Who Do You Think You Are stint.
Mark Coles Smith
He’s a proud Nyikini man from the Fitzroy River region in WA’s Kimberley. But for actor Mark Coles Smith, his Who Do You Think You Are journey will take him far beyond the region.
On his mother, Dr Anne Poelina’s side, there is Indonesian and Indigenous heritage, where he’ll solve a long-standing family mystery. Meanwhile, travelling to Poland and Germany to investigate his father’s family will see him make a shocking discovery about his great-grandfather.
“I came to the end of this journey feeling a newfound respect for every single one of my family members,” the Apple Cider Vinegar star says of what would occur in the third episode of the season.
Gina Chick
As the first winner of Alone Australia, Gina Chick’s personal story is well told. But now the adventurer will set out to the NSW South Coast in episode 4 to find out where she’s inherited her love of nature from, as well as her incredible fortitude.
“I cannot be told what to do,” Gina says. “So that oppositional defiance, which I really recognise, I think I can track back.”
Tom Gleeson
The funnyman may need to change his Hard Quiz speciality subject after his quest to discover more about his origin story. Tom Gleeson will go on the hunt during episode five to find out why a mysterious relative changed the family name — but when he digs in, he finds the truth may be stranger than fiction…
“Looking into my ancestors’ pasts has been a great experience,” Tom says. “I’ve realised that imperfection is everywhere, in the past and the present. I’ve often glorified people in the past and thought they were noble or great characters, and when you look into it, they’re full of all the same flaws that we are.”
Camilla Franks
Kaftan queen Camilla Franks will travel from NSW’s Hunter Valley to Poland and London to investigate her cultural roots. And what she found during episode 6, she says, both shocked and delighted her.
“I have so much admiration for the women that have walked before me,” Camilla says of her discovery.
Marc Fennell
Having made a career out of investigating long-ago mysteries, Marc Fennell is keen to learn more about ones closer to home. And to do so, in episode 7, he’ll travel to Singapore, Malaysia, Ireland, and England, uncovering the extraordinary tales of his ancestors along the way in
“I’ve explored a lot of other people’s history over several TV shows and podcasts,” Marc says. “None of it prepared me for the experience of being on the receiving end.”
Matt Nable
The former footy star turned actor rounds out the final episode. And his findings, according to the show’s press release, may be the most shocking yet! A DNA test will see him make a bombshell discovery that rewrites his entire family history.
“I have great gratitude for those that came before me in my family and for my parents, knowing how they started off and how they came to be where they were,” says Matt.
Where can I watch Who Do You Think You Are?
Who Do You Think You Are debuts May 13 at 7.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand.
