Olivia Colman

Sarah Caroline Sinclair CBE, professionally known as Olivia Colman, is a celebrated English actress, recognized for her remarkable talent across various mediums. Having honed her craft at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Colman garnered widespread acclaim for her breakthrough role in the Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show. Her versatility shines through in her diverse comedic performances on television, including notable appearances in Green Wing, That Mitchell and Webb Look, Beautiful People, Rev., Flowers, and Fleabag. Notably, she clinched the BAFTA Award for Best Female Comedy Performance for Twenty Twelve and earned accolades for her role in Accused.


Colman's prowess extends beyond comedy; she captivated audiences with her compelling portrayal in the crime-drama series Broadchurch and the thrilling miniseries The Night Manager, earning prestigious awards such as the British Academy Television Award and the Golden Globe Award. Her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown further solidified her status as a powerhouse performer, earning her additional Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy Awards.


In addition to her television work, Colman has left an indelible mark on the silver screen. Her Oscar-winning performance as Queen Anne in The Favourite showcased her immense talent, while her roles in films such as Tyrannosaur, The Iron Lady, and The Lobster further demonstrate her versatility. Recent projects like Empire of Light, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and Wonka underscore her continued prominence in the film industry. With her exceptional range and depth as an actress, Olivia Colman continues to captivate audiences and earn accolades for her stellar performances.


Colman, born in Norwich on 30 January 1974, is the daughter of nurse Mary and chartered surveyor Keith Colman. Raised in Norfolk, she attended Norwich High School for Girls and later Gresham's School in Holt. Colman's journey into acting began at a young age, with her first notable role as Jean Brodie in a school production of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie at just 16 years old. Inspired by her mother's aspirations of becoming a ballet dancer, Colman pursued acting passionately.


After a brief stint studying primary education at Homerton College, Cambridge, Colman followed her true calling and enrolled in drama school at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, where she graduated in 1999. Her time at Cambridge saw her early forays into television with appearances on The Word in 1995, where she was known by her nickname "Colly." It was during this period that she crossed paths with future collaborators David Mitchell and Robert Webb through auditions for the Cambridge University Footlights Dramatic Club.


Upon entering the professional realm of acting, Colman faced the challenge of adopting a stage name due to the presence of another actress named Sarah Colman in Equity, the UK actors' union. Embracing the name of one of her university friends, Colman became known professionally as Olivia Colman. Reflecting on this change, she expressed fondness for the name Olivia, considering her lifelong nickname of "Colly" as a natural transition away from her birth name of Sarah.


Colman embarked on her professional acting journey in 2000 at the age of 26 with a debut on the BBC Two comedy sketch show, Bruiser. Since then, she has graced the screens of BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 with her versatile talent, appearing in a plethora of television series including People Like Us, Look Around You, Black Books, The Office, and The Time of Your Life. Her vocal prowess was also put to use as she provided voice-overs for Channel 5's poll for Britain's Funniest Comedy Character.


A fixture on BBC Radio 4, Colman showcased her comedic skills in various shows such as Concrete Cow, Think the Unthinkable, and Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. Notably, she lent her voice to the character Minka in the Radio 4 comedy Hut 33, set in the backdrop of Bletchley Park during World War II. In addition to her radio work, Colman made her mark in television advertisements, featuring in campaigns for AA car insurance and lending her voice to adverts for Andrex and Glade fragrance.


Collaborating frequently with comedians Mitchell and Webb, Colman joined forces with them in the acclaimed Channel 4 comedy Peep Show, portraying the character Sophie. Their partnership extended to radio with That Mitchell and Webb Sound and its television adaptation, That Mitchell and Webb Look. However, Colman eventually decided to part ways with Peep Show as she sought to broaden her acting horizons beyond the association with Mitchell and Webb's work.


Throughout her career, Colman has demonstrated her versatility, from her recurring role in the surrealist comedy Green Wing to her portrayal of naturist Joanna Roberts in the mockumentary film Confetti. She has graced both the big and small screens with memorable performances, including roles in films like Grow Your Own, Hot Fuzz, and Dog Altogether, as well as guest appearances in television series such as Beautiful People, Skins, and Midsomer Murders.

References

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