Who Do You Think You Are?
7.5/10
SBS Running Family • History
17 Seasons · 124 Episodes · Premiered January 13, 2008
Well-known Australians play detective as they go in search of their family history, revealing secrets from the past. Taking us to all corners of Australia and the globe are six stories of individuals seeking to find the definitive answer to where they came from. Along the way secrets are uncovered and histories are revealed—from adultery and madness to children born out of wedlock and even the whiff of a right royal scandal—with each individual discovering that their ancestors form an integral part of not only their own identity, but that of the nation. Combining emotional and personal journeys with big-picture history, these inspiring and sometimes challenging stories remind us how Australians have come to be the people that we are today. Considering Australia's multicultural background, this is a global story, with each celebrity tracing their ancestors around the world...
Where to Watch:
SBS
Next Air Time: Tue, May 12 2026 9:30 AM GMT+0000
Seasons & Episodes
Season 1
6 episodes
E01
Jack Thompson
Sun, Jan 13 2008 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E02
Kate Ceberano
Sun, Jan 20 2008 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E03
Geoffrey Robertson
Sun, Jan 27 2008 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E04
Catherine Freeman
Sun, Feb 3 2008 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E05
Dennis Cometti
Sun, Feb 10 2008 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E06
Ita Buttrose
Sun, Feb 17 2008 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Season 2
6 episodes
E01
Ron Barassi
Sun, Sep 27 2009 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E02
Sigrid Thornton
Sun, Oct 4 2009 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E03
Ben Mendelsohn
Sun, Oct 11 2009 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Ben is driven to discover if, as family legend suggests, he is related to the famous composer Felix Mendelssohn of "The Wedding March" fame.
E04
Christine Anu
Sun, Oct 18 2009 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E05
Maggie Beer
Sun, Oct 25 2009 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E06
John Butler
Sun, Nov 1 2009 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Season 3
6 episodes
E01
Magda Szubanski
Sun, Nov 28 2010 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E02
Rod Marsh
Sun, Dec 5 2010 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E03
Tina Arena
Sun, Dec 12 2010 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E04
Shane Bourne
Sun, Dec 19 2010 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E05
Paul Mercurio
Sun, Dec 26 2010 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E06
Georgie Parker
Sun, Jan 2 2011 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Season 4
6 episodes
E01
Shaun Micallef
Tue, Mar 27 2012 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E02
Kerry O'Brien
Tue, Apr 3 2012 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E03
Melissa George
Tue, Apr 10 2012 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E04
Vince Colosimo
Tue, Apr 17 2012 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E05
John Wood
Tue, Apr 24 2012 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E06
Michael O'Loughlin
Tue, May 1 2012 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Season 5
8 episodes
E01
Adam Hills
Tue, Apr 2 2013 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E02
Asher Keddie
Tue, Apr 9 2013 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E03
Don Hany
Tue, Apr 16 2013 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E04
Michael Caton
Tue, Apr 23 2013 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E05
Lex Marinos
Tue, Apr 30 2013 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E06
Susie Porter
Tue, May 7 2013 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E07
Rove McManus
Tue, May 14 2013 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E08
John Howard
Tue, May 21 2013 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Season 6
8 episodes
E01
Andrew Denton
Tue, Jul 8 2014 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E02
Rebecca Gibney
Tue, Jul 15 2014 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E03
Jacki Weaver
Tue, Jul 22 2014 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E04
Richard Roxburgh
Tue, Jul 29 2014 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E05
Amanda Keller
Tue, Aug 5 2014 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E06
Adam Goodes
Tue, Aug 12 2014 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E07
Lisa McCune
Tue, Aug 19 2014 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E08
Paul McDermott
Tue, Aug 26 2014 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Season 7
8 episodes
E01
Geoffrey Rush
Tue, Aug 4 2015 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E02
Toni Collette
Tue, Aug 11 2015 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E03
Luke Nguyen
Tue, Aug 18 2015 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E04
David Wenham
Tue, Aug 25 2015 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E05
Dawn Fraser
Tue, Sep 1 2015 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E06
Peter Rowsthorn
Tue, Sep 8 2015 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E07
Greig Pickhaver
Tue, Sep 15 2015 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E08
Ray Martin
Tue, Sep 22 2015 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Season 8
8 episodes
E01
Julia Morris
Tue, Sep 13 2016 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E02
Peter Garrett
Tue, Sep 20 2016 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E03
Delta Goodrem
Tue, Sep 27 2016 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E04
Mal Meninga
Tue, Oct 4 2016 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E05
Rachel Griffiths
Tue, Oct 11 2016 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E06
Shane Jacobson
Tue, Oct 18 2016 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E07
Jane Turner
Tue, Oct 25 2016 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E08
John Newcombe
Tue, Nov 1 2016 8:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Season 9
8 episodes
E01
Noni Hazlehurst
Tue, Apr 17 2018 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E02
Charlie Teo
Tue, Apr 24 2018 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E03
Natalie Imbruglia
Tue, May 1 2018 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E04
John Jarratt
Tue, May 8 2018 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E05
Justine Clarke
Tue, May 15 2018 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E06
Todd McKenney
Tue, May 22 2018 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E07
Ernie Dingo
Tue, May 29 2018 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E08
Patti Newton
Tue, Jun 5 2018 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Season 10
8 episodes
E01
Scott Cam
Tue, Apr 30 2019 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
TV personality Scott Cam reveals his paternal family changed their surname from Caminiti to Cam during World War Two. But, beyond this historical detail, Scott knows little about his Italian ancestors, including what compelled them to leave their homeland for a ‘sunburnt country'.
E02
Jennifer Byrne
Tue, May 7 2019 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E03
Marta Dusseldorp
Tue, May 14 2019 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E04
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki
Tue, May 21 2019 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E05
Casey Donovan
Tue, May 28 2019 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E06
Kurt Fearnley
Tue, Jun 4 2019 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E07
Kerri-Anne Kennerley
Tue, Jun 11 2019 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E08
Rodger Corser
Tue, Jun 18 2019 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Actor Rodger Corser rose to fame for his roles in the award-winning crime series Underbelly and the critically-acclaimed Glitch, and for the series lead on Doctor, Doctor. But while Rodger is comfortable donning the mask of a character, exploring his own identity is a little more daunting.
Season 11
8 episodes
E01
Lisa Wilkinson
Tue, May 19 2020 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Journalist and television personality Lisa Wilkinson is on a deeply personal quest to unearth the truth about her maternal ancestors. Lisa's mother, Beryl, was born illegitimately, and right up until her recent death, had many unanswered questions about her identity. Lisa encounters her Irish three-times great-grandmother, Eliza O'Brien, whose complex, troubled life has uncanny parallels with her own mother's story. On her father's side, Lisa travels to colourful India, where she discovers her two-times great-grandmother, Ann Beech, whose life shifts from poverty to privilege and back again.
E02
Bert Newton
Tue, May 26 2020 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Veteran entertainer Bert Newton discovers the father he never knew was a true patriot who devoted his life to his country. His maternal grandmother Alice leaves a lasting impression of a woman of great fortitude who fought for women's rights and was surrounded by the love of her children, despite the criminal neglect of her husband.
E03
Cameron Daddo
Tue, Jun 2 2020 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Long intrigued by the origins of his surname, actor Cameron Daddo travels across the globe to the Channel Islands and discovers a thousand years of noble ancestors. Meanwhile, his mother's lineage, though devoid of noble origins, reveals a surprising parallel to his father's. Cameron will discover both sides of his family feature love stories of staggering proportions.
E04
Lisa Curry
Tue, Jun 9 2020 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
When swimmer Lisa Curry delves into her maternal family past, she finds hard working German immigrants who risked everything to become the masters of their own destiny in Queensland. Lisa's distant relationship with her late father had a profound effect on her life. But by tracing his life and her paternal ancestors in war-torn Ireland, Lisa comes to terms with who her father was, and finally gets to farewell him in her own way.
E05
Denise Scott
Tue, Jun 16 2020 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Comedian Denise Scott's search to find the truth about a dark family secret brings surprising results, while her Dad's family tree produces a highly unconventional ancestor. On her maternal side, she uncovers dark secrets, and closes a chapter on a long-standing family cover-up.
E06
Kat Stewart
Tue, Jun 23 2020 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Kat Stewart's stable and loving upbringing instilled in her a strong sense of ethics, and it's with this belief that she goes on her ancestral journey, seeking characters who were both principled and just a little bit colourful. She'll soon discover a strong Irish woman who experienced her fair share of tragedy, and an Englishman who had a pioneering role during a contentious time in Colonial Australia.
E07
Julie Bishop
Tue, Jun 30 2020 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Australia's first female Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, has always had a love for the world, and she's now on a mission to discover where she inherited her globetrotting, adventurous spirit from.
E08
Troy Cassar-Daley
Tue, Jul 7 2020 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Season 12
8 episodes
E01
Celia Pacquola
Tue, Jun 8 2021 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
When Celia Pacquola digs into her beloved mum's family, she finds her three times Scottish great grandfather, John Rae, was Sydney's first Town Clerk.
E02
Malcolm Turnbull
Tue, Jun 15 2021 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
When Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull opens the book on his family history, curiosity turns to fascination when he discovers a mysterious unclaimed fortune.
E03
Denise Drysdale
Tue, Jun 22 2021 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Denise Drysdale takes a DNA test, and it's no surprise to find her family hails from Scotland. But it is a shock to discover she also has DNA links to Northern Ireland.
E04
Jeff Fatt
Tue, Jun 29 2021 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Jeff Fatt, famous as the Purple Wiggle, knows his Chinese roots go back four generations into Australia's history, but he wants details of why those ancestors came to Australia.
E05
Uncle Jack Charles
Tue, Jul 6 2021 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Actor, former self-described 'serial pest', and member of the Stolen Generation, Uncle Jack Charles has never known the love of a parent. He will uncover details of the father he never knew.
E06
Grant Denyer
Tue, Jul 13 2021 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
While looking into his father's side of the family, television presenter Grant Denyer finds his three times great grandfather, Charles Kennard Ward, at the centre of a shocking secret.
E07
Chris Bath
Tue, Jul 20 2021 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Setting out to discover if a mysterious Spanish governess actually existed in her Mum's family, Chris Bath finds instead an adventurer with an entrepreneurial spirit.
E08
Natalie Bassingthwaighte
Tue, Jul 27 2021 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Singer and actor Natalie Bassingthwaighte says members of her maternal family always hold their cards close to their chest. As a result, Natalie knows little of her family history.
Season 13
8 episodes
E01
Simon Baker
Tue, Jun 21 2022 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Actor and director Simon Baker discovers an incredible legacy left by his three-times great grandfather and the remarkable courage and fortitude of his female ancestors.
E02
Myf Warhurst
Tue, Jun 28 2022 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Radio and Television Broadcaster Myf Warhurst is determined to learn the truth about a "handshake adoption" in her paternal line.
E03
Justin Hodges
Tue, Jul 5 2022 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Legendary rugby league footballer Justin Hodges is on a mission to learn more about his indigenous family history.
E04
Dr. Chris Brown
Tue, Jul 12 2022 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Best known for the television series Bondi Vet, Dr. Chris Brown seeks to solve a longstanding family mystery.
E05
Paula Duncan
Tue, Jul 19 2022 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Paula Duncan, an actress, and philanthropist looks into an unexplored branch of her paternal ancestry and is confronted by the brutality of colonial Australia's past.
E06
Chef Matt Moran
Tue, Jul 26 2022 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E07
Liz Ellis
Tue, Aug 2 2022 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E08
Sandra Sully
Tue, Aug 9 2022 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Season 14
8 episodes
E01
Barry Humphries
Tue, May 2 2023 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Comedian Barry Humphries investigates a royal scandal from his father's ancestry, and unravels his mysterious maternal family history.
E02
Jenny Brockie
Tue, May 9 2023 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
In this episode of Who Do You Think You Are?, journalist Jenny Brockie digs into her mother's family history and discovers her 3x great grandparents were a gang member and brothel owner from Ireland. Their story becomes one of crime, resilience, and ultimately making the most of opportunities in colonial Australia. Turning to her paternal line, Jenny embarks on an emotional journey to solve the mystery of her father's ancestry. She uncovers great tales of history and hardship, and ultimately finds a connection she has yearned for her entire life.
E03
Derryn Hinch
Tue, May 16 2023 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Former radio host and senator, Derryn Hinch uncovers the truth about the identity of his mother's father and investigates the paternal side of his family's war history. Derryn submits to a DNA test with heart-rending results,
E04
Rhonda Burchmore
Tue, May 23 2023 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Entertainer Rhonda Burchmore finds out about the maternal grandfather she never knew, and a fascinating entrepreneur with an amazing legacy on her father's side.
E05
Stephen Page
Tue, May 30 2023 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Artistic director and choreographer Stephen Page uncovers the truth about his Aboriginal ancestry, and meets his previously unknown family in the South Pacific
E06
Peter Helliar
Tue, Jun 6 2023 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Comedian Peter Helliar discovers a maternal ancestor's traumatic experience in Gallipoli, and a paternal link to an Irish rogue, and a pioneer of the Australian Football League..
E07
Kerry Armstrong
Tue, Jun 13 2023 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Television and stage actor Kerry Armstrong discovers a lineage of rebellious and free-spirited women, and explores her strange connection to the sea.
E08
John Waters
Tue, Jun 20 2023 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Actor and musician John Waters discovers a paternal heritage of working class radicals, and a maternal ancestor at the heart of colonial Caribbean history.
Season 15
8 episodes
E01
Manu Feildel
Tue, May 7 2024 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Chef Manu Feildel visits France to trace the tradition of culinary excellence in his ancestors on his mother's side and reconnects with his father to learn more about his family's possible Viking lineage on the paternal side.
E02
Miranda Otto
Tue, May 14 2024 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Mirando Otto tests her ancestry and learns a life-altering truth about her father, fellow actor Barry Otto.
E03
Kathy Lette
Tue, May 21 2024 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Feminist author Kathy Lette is thrilled to discover formidable females in Norway and a resilient First Fleet convict who fought in one of the bloodiest battles of the American War of Independence.
E04
Wayne Blair
Tue, May 28 2024 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Actor and director Wayne Blair uncovers the little-known story of his Woppaburra ancestors from Queensland's Keppel Islands and discovers an extraordinary twist in his paternal ancestry.
E05
Pat Rafter
Tue, Jun 4 2024 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E06
Melissa Doyle
Tue, Jun 11 2024 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E07
Stephen Curry
Tue, Jun 18 2024 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E08
Heather Ewart
Tue, Jun 25 2024 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Season 16
8 episodes
E01
Claudia Karvan
Tue, May 13 2025 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
As she traces elusive ancestors from London to Cyprus to New Zealand, actor and producer Claudia Karvan is floored and unexpectedly moved by the tragedy and courage of her family's past.
E02
Patrick Brammall
Tue, May 20 2025 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Actor Patrick Brammall uncovers a long-held maternal family secret and is deeply impressed by his paternal great grandfather's public and private life.
E03
Mark Coles Smith
Tue, May 27 2025 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Unravelling his rich, multicultural heritage, actor Mark Coles Smith is shocked to discover a Nazi in his paternal ancestry, and digging deep into his maternal ancestry, he uncovers a long-buried family secret.
E04
Gina Chick
Tue, Jun 3 2025 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Author and adventurer Gina Chick goes looking for a wild streak in her maternal ancestry, and she is determined to find out the identity of her biological grandfather. Through DNA testing, the family mystery is solved, but when Gina charts the life of her enigmatic grandfather, she finds a story of unspeakable tragedy that befell the family during World War One.
E05
Tom Gleeson
Tue, Jun 10 2025 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Hunting an elusive ancestor who changed the family's name, comedian Tom Gleeson comes face to face with convicts, murderers, thieves and a formidable woman.
E06
Camilla Franks
Tue, Jun 17 2025 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E07
Marc Fennell
Tue, Jun 24 2025 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Documentary filmmaker and TV presenter Marc Fennell travels to Singapore and Malaysia seeking to connect with his Indian ancestry and, in Ireland, he unearths a tale of forbidden lovers amidst the Irish War of Independence.
E08
Matthew Nable
Tue, Jul 1 2025 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Actor, director and writer, Matt Nable goes on an Australia-wide manhunt for an ancestor who deserted his wife and 14 kids. Looking into his Jewish heritage, Matt makes a shock discovery that will rewrite his whole family story.
Season 17
4 episodes
E01
Bruce McAvaney
Tue, May 12 2026 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
In an emotional opening episode, legendary broadcaster Bruce McAvaney traces his family's history in South Australia, uncovering stories of early settlement, land ownership and personal tragedy. Walking the land once owned by his ancestors, Bruce is visibly moved as he connects more deeply to his late parents, reflecting on both the successes and hardships that shaped his family's legacy.
E02
Guy Sebastian
Tue, May 19 2026 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Renowned singer-songwriter Guy Sebastian travels across India and Sri Lanka to uncover the truth behind his mother's heritage and reconnect with his father's Tamil roots, with a defining moment coming through DNA results that finally bring clarity to his family's identity.
E03
Episode 3
Tue, May 26 2026 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
E04
Aaron Pedersen
Tue, Jun 2 2026 9:30 AM GMT+0000
60 min
Also airing on SBS On Demand during National Reconciliation Week is a special episode of the new series of Who Do You Think You Are, where actor Aaron Pedersen take his brother Vinnie on a life-changing journey to explore their maternal ancestry and Arabana roots in outback South Australia before embarking on a global search for the father he's never known.
Cast
Richard Mellick
as Narrator
