Deep dives into family histories are coming as Who Do You Think You Are? returns to SBS. Season 16 features eight prominent Australians, including Claudia Karvan, Tom Gleeson, and Mark Coles Smith, embarking on personal quests to uncover their roots, starting Tuesday, May 13.
Here’s the Lowdown: The new season follows Tom Gleeson, Patrick Brammall, Camilla Franks, Gina Chick, Matt Nable, Claudia Karvan, Mark Coles Smith, and Marc Fennell as they trace their lineage across Australia and overseas, from the Kimberley to Europe. In the premiere episode on 13 May at 7:30 pm, actor Claudia Karvan investigates her family’s past in England, Cyprus, and New Zealand, uncovering stories of tragedy and courage surrounding her grandmother and a ‘black sheep’ great-grandfather.
What This Means Now: This season looks set to deliver powerful emotional revelations. Mark Coles Smith explores his diverse Nyikina, Indonesian, and Anglo-Austrian background, making a startling discovery in Poland. Comedian Tom Gleeson attempts to unravel the mystery behind an ancestor’s name change. For participants like Karvan, the experience fundamentally alters their perception of family, forging unexpected connections to the past.
The Bigger Picture: As one of SBS’s most successful long-running series, Who Do You Think You Are? continues to connect with audiences by revealing the personal histories behind familiar faces. Produced by Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia, the show links individual family stories to broader historical events. Season 16 airs Tuesdays at 7:30 pm on SBS and SBS On Demand from 13 May, with episodes available with multiple subtitle options and audio description.
