Olivia Colman, a British-born star, exploded onto the scene in the early-2000s, delighting audiences with her comedic brilliance and quick wit. At Cambridge University, she joined the Footlights Drama Society, performing alongside the likes of Peep Show’s David Mitchell and Robert Webb, and has seemingly gone from strength to strength ever since. Indeed, Colman's acting repertoire is expansive, ranging from her gritty and exceptionally multi-faceted portrayal of a detective on the edge in Broadchurch to her breathtakingly emotive performance as Queen Anne in The Favourite.

With a plethora of awards to her name, Colman has rapidly and rightfully become one of the most sought-after and beloved talents in the industry. Known for her heartwarming acceptance speeches and all-around good nature, and with her upcoming films, Wonka and Paddington in Peru, releasing relatively soon, let's explore Olivia Colman’s best movies and TV shows so far.

10 Rev

A hidden treasure from the BBC, Rev. is one of the world's finer incarnations of a church-based sitcom. The show follows Reverend Adam Smallbone (Tom Hollander) as he navigates the tumultuous life of an inner-city vicar. Colman stars alongside Hollander as Adam’s less than devout wife, Alex, who tolerates life in the vicarage whilst continuing to work as a barrister.

The chemistry between the two is undeniable as they effortlessly bounce off one another in this beautifully crafted comedic symphony of quick wit and dry humor. As the Reverend struggles to sustain both his church and his faith, he is accompanied by a quirky congregation representing all walks of life, culminating in a heartwarming, funny, and surprisingly moving sitcom.

9 Peep Show

Widely regarded as the launchpad for the careers of Robert Webb, David Mitchell, and Colman, Peep Show revolves around the dysfunctional and altogether absurd lives of Mark (Mitchell) and Jeremy (Webb). Colman, as Mark's cheerful but long-suffering on-and-off girlfriend Sophie, plays the role with the same vitality and ease that audiences have come to expect from the star.

Peep Show portrays the mundane human experiences of the socially awkward Mark and man-child, Jeremy with merciless wit and through a combination of point of view shots and the men’s inner monologs, the show has a filter-less and at times outrageous quality that has made for many a quotable moment.

8 The Crown

Netflix's The Crown sees Colman take on a very different role from our previous entries, this time as Queen Elizabeth II. Initially portrayed by Claire Foy, who ages up as the show reaches its third season, Colman embodies the role with all the subtlety and understated emotion one might have expected from her Majesty.

The Crown begins with the Queen's wedding in 1947, to a young prince Phillip (Matt Smith) and continues to chronicle the history of the monarchy up until the early-21st Century, covering a host of significant events such as the queen's coronation, the resignation of Winston Churchill, the people's princess Diana’s role in the royal family, and Margaret Thatcher's controversial time as prime minister.

Having won multiple awards, with Colman taking home a Golden Globe for her performance, The Crown not only offers a fascinating insight into the history and context of the British monarchy, but also imagines conversations that may happen behind closed doors in a thoroughly captivating and thought-provoking manner.

7 Broadchurch

The critically acclaimed mystery drama, Broadchurch, takes place in the sea-side settlement of Broadchurch, a small and outwardly idyllic town in England. However, when the body of 11-year-old Danny Latimer is discovered on a local beach, the seemingly sleepy community begins to unravel. With an abundance of twists and turns, Colman plays Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller as she investigates the death alongside the newly promoted Detective Inspector Alec Hardy (played by David Tennant).

Often referred to as the actress' breakout role, Broadchurch ran for three seasons, with Colman playing this incredibly layered character in an extraordinarily dynamic and moving way. The show does an excellent job of portraying the effects of grief in a truly nail-biting way and features a number of magnificent performances from its distinguished cast.

6 The Thirteenth Tale

Another, seldom-talked about hidden gem of Colman’s comes is The Thirteenth Tale. Based on Dianne Setterfield's Gothic novel of the same name, this film adaptation follows biographer Margaret Lea (Colman), who travels to the home of esteemed, retired writer, Vida Winter (Vanessa Redgrave). As Vida recounts her story, both her present-day life and childhood, several decades earlier, are explored.

Centering around her complex and at times disturbing relationship with twin sister, Emmeline (Antonia Clarke) and set against the backdrop of an isolated and fast-decaying family estate, this criminally underrated film offers an intelligent and engaging modern take on the traditional gothic horror. Premiering in 2013 on British television, Colman's performance in The Thirteenth Tale went widely unnoticed, but is very much worth watching as she brings a subtle depth to the role. It also happens to be Game of Thrones' Sophie Turner's movie debut.

5 Hot Fuzz

Part of Nick Frost and Simon Pegg's Cornetto Trilogy, Hot Fuzz has deservedly become a British cult classic. When police officer Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) is relocated to the rural and chronically slumbersome town of Sandford, he is initially disappointed by its lack of crime as well as his new partner, the bumbling Danny Butterman (Nick Frost). However, before long, Sanford's many sins reveal themselves in this absurd action comedy.

With Colman playing the brazen and overfamiliar Police Constable Doris Thatcher, the actress' comedic artistry shines through once more as she joins a cast of phenomenal actors including Bill Nighy, Martin Freeman, and Jim Broadbent, among others. The script, in all its glorious ridiculousness, never fails to entertain and with an appropriately absurd plot and ensemble of extravagant characters, this film will no doubt, leave you gasping for air.

4 The Father

With Colman and Anthony Hopkins signed on to play father and daughter, Anthony and Anne, Florian Zeller's The Father promised to be something quite spectacular. And it did not disappoint. The 2020 psychological drama received huge praise for Hopkins’ portrayal of an octogenarian suffering with dementia. The story is told from Anthony’s perspective, providing the audience with a rare glimpse into the mind of someone who’s rapidly losing their grip on reality, giving this film a distinctly uncomfortable, but wholly necessary feel to it.

As Anne attempts to come to terms with her father's declining health, Colman's performance complements Hopkins’ magnificently as they share a number of unapologetically, heart-wrenching scenes. As Zeller's directorial debut, and with a stunning soundtrack from composer and pianist, Ludovico Einaudi, The Father is a must-watch, albeit a difficult one at times.

3 The Lobster

In 2015, following the success of Dogtooth among cinephiles and beyond, director Yorgos Thanthimos released The Lobster, an absurdist dark comedy set in a near dystopian future. The film centers around David (Colin Farrell) and his quest to find a romantic partner within 45 days or suffer the consequence — this being his permanent transformation into an animal of his choice.

The process is facilitated by a hotel in which Colman acts as the suitably dry and straight-faced manager, enforcing arbitrary rules upon guests and detailing their rather dire fates. Despite the nature of this role, however, Colman still manages to create a memorable and utterly bizarre character through her innate comic timing and flawless delivery. With a star-studded cast including Rachel Weisz as David's love interest, The Lobster is something truly unique, with each actor and every artistic choice coming together to create a rich and full world.

2 Fleabag

Originally a one woman play, Phoebe Waller-Bridge reprised her titular role for the small screen, resulting in the award-winning and critically acclaimed comedy series, Fleabag. Centering around the brash, lusty, London-dwelling 30-something as she navigates life, loss, love, and sex, the show has amassed somewhat of a cult following, offering audiences a brutally honest, yet uproarious, glimpse into the protagonist's world.

Smashing the fourth wall with the characters' frequent asides to the audience, Fleabag offers something fresh and exciting, whilst remaining grounded and relatable. With a spectacular cast of characters, including Fleabag’s sister, Claire (Sian Clifford), and on-and-of boyfriend, Harry (Hugh Skinner), the series features Colman as her hilariously passive-aggressive Stepmother, making for an array of painfully awkward, yet deliciously watchable scenes between the two.

1 The Favourite

The Favourite, another signature black-comedy from Yorgos Lanthimos, sees Colman reclaim the throne as the eccentric, gout-riddled Queen Anne in arguably one of her most astonishing performances to date. Set in 18th-Century England, advisor and faithful companion to the Queen, Sarah Marlborough (Rachel Weisz), must compete for Anne's attention upon the arrival of Abigail (Emma Stone), a fresh-faced, but duplicitous new servant.

Weisz and Colman reunite in this masterpiece to extraordinary effect, with a palpable chemistry that depicts a very intimate, yet intriguingly flawed relationship. The script, deranged and vulgar in all its glory, is ferociously funny, with a contemporary spin that elevates its charming whimsicality. Sleek and highly stylized, The Favourite secured an impressive number of accolades, with both Weisz and Stone nabbing Best Supporting Actress nominations and Colman gaining her first Best Actress Oscar for the role. An astute tragicomedy, this film showcases Colman at her best in a profoundly moving and utterly transcendent performance.