After seeing her stellar performance in The Favourite, we had to know: Where had we seen leading lady Olivia Colman, who plays the babyish Queen Anne, before? Was it that mystery movie with Judi Dench, or that indie film with Favourite co-star Rachel Weisz...or maybe it was the British crime drama our Netflix can't stop recommending to us? Here, all the ways you probably know the award-winning British star (that you didn't even realize).
5 Movies and TV Shows You Didn't Know Olivia Colman Was In
•
Published Dec 24, 2018
Netflix
'the Crown' (season 3)
ICYMI: Colman is set to succeed Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II in the new season of The Crown, which will reportedly take place between 1964 to 1976 (when the queen is in her 40s). There's no premiere date yet (though it's expected to be released on Netflix in 2019). But with one English queen's performance already under her belt (and awards show chatter pervading the internet), we're royally ready for what the junior season brings.
Element Pictures
'the Lobster'
From the same director as The Favourite, Colman first worked with Yorgos Lanthimos (and Rachel Weisz) on The Lobster, where she played the manager of a hotel where single people are forced to find love in 45 days or be turned into animals. She won best supporting actress from the British Independent Film Awards for her role, but it was the connection with her director and co-star that would bring things full circle later.
ITV
'broadchurch'
As Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller in ITV's British crime drama Broadchurch, Colman won a BAFTA for her portrayal of the intimidating officer. We can't help but wonder if it was prime training for intimidating subjects in a palace instead of in an interrogation room.
AMC
'the Night Manager'
Add another accolade to the list: Her performance in the awards-show darling The Night Manager garnered Colman the Golden Globe Award for best supporting actress in a series, miniseries or TV film. She played the pregnant intelligence operative Burr, who is tasked with taking down Hugh Laurie's Richard Roper. Surprisingly, the part was originally meant to be played by a man. She told Indiewire: “In 2016, all the decision-making characters should bloody well be women!” Here, here!
20th century Fox
'murder On The Orient Express'
As Judi Dench's handmaid in the Agatha Christie adaptation, Colman had a minor role in the star-studded (but critically ill-received) film. Just one question: Did she get to keep the dog? (We sure hope so.)
