Uncover the hidden pasts and emotional stories of celebrities in the new season of Who Do You Think You Are?, airing on SBS.
The highly acclaimed genealogical series Who Do You Think You Are? is poised to make its much-anticipated return to SBS and SBS On Demand.
The latest instalment of this beloved show will premiere on Tuesday, 7 May at 7:30 pm, featuring a new lineup of prominent Australian personalities embarking on a journey to uncover the mysteries of their ancestry.
This season, the series will feature celebrated individuals including chef Manu Feildel, actor Miranda Otto, and former tennis champion Pat Rafter, alongside Kathy Lette, Wayne Blair, Melissa Doyle, Stephen Curry, and Heather Ewart. These celebrities will traverse the globe, visiting remote locations in Australia, Norway, the United Kingdom, the USA, New Zealand, and France. Their quests are aimed at uncovering hidden secrets and stories that promise to significantly alter their perception of their families and themselves.
The first episode will see Manu Feildel returning to France, exploring his mother’s lineage of culinary prowess and experiencing an emotional reunion with his father. Miranda Otto will be featured in the second episode, revealing a life-altering secret about her father, Barry Otto, an esteemed member of one of Australia’s most renowned acting families.
In the third episode, author Kathy Lette embarks on an international journey to discover formidable female ancestors, highlighting the complexity and richness of her family’s past.
“What surprised me the most was how complicated and interesting my ancestors were. You don’t tend to think of them as living, breathing people but they were dealing with all the same personal issues we deal with.
Love, loss, lust and so to put the flesh on their bones as a writer particularly I found absolutely intriguing and compelling.”
The series continues with Wayne Blair, who in the fourth episode, learns about his Woppaburra ancestors from Queensland’s Keppel Islands and uncovers a significant twist in his paternal ancestry. Blair shared his reflections on the journey, noting its impact on his understanding of his family.
I think this journey has made my perception evolve about my family and it has become more layered and that’s what I’ve loved the most.
Pat Rafter sets off in search of his family’s rebellious forebears in the fifth episode, confronting a history marked by turbulence. The following episode features Melissa Doyle, who uncovers pioneering ancestors who made significant journeys to Australia and New Zealand.
“It’s taken them (my ancestors) from being names in history and on the family tree to actual once upon a time living, breathing, working humans who were doing everything for their family.
It’s just brought them to life; it’s definitely taken them from black and white to colour.”
Stephen Curry delves into his maternal ancestry in the seventh episode, discovering unexpected and courageous characters, including a goldrush banker known for blowing the whistle on injustices. Curry expressed gratitude for the newfound understanding of his lineage.
I appreciate now having answers that I never even knew I was looking for.
The season finale will feature Heather Ewart, who explores her family history, unearthing tales of religious extremism and a dark family secret.
Bernadine Lim, SBS Commissioning Editor for Documentaries, expressed enthusiasm for the new season, emphasizing the show’s role in exploring the universal curiosity about our origins and connections to the past.
“Who Do You Think You Are? is one of SBS’s most beloved and successful series. Through the deeply personal stories of some of Australia’s biggest stars, the program explores the universal desire of wanting to understand our past and where we came from.
A fascinating and colourful journey that is often described as life-changing for those involved, the new season of Who Do You Think You Are? promises to captivate and entertain.”
Produced by Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia for SBS, the upcoming season promises an enthralling exploration of personal and family histories. All eight episodes of Season 15 will be available for streaming on SBS On Demand, with subtitles in multiple languages and audio description, ensuring accessibility for all viewers. Fans are also encouraged to catch up on previous seasons available on SBS On Demand, featuring subtitles in various languages.
Manu is NOT an australian !!
Hi Fay – yes, he is. He became a citizen in 2005.