After more than two decades of captivating viewers with poignant revelations and unexpected twists, Who Do You Think You Are? returns for its 23rd season on BBC One, promising another round of journeys into the past with some of Britain’s most familiar faces. The much-loved genealogy series, which has become a staple of British television and a double BAFTA winner, premieres its latest season on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 9pm. For fans eager to catch every moment, episodes will also be available on iPlayer, ensuring nobody misses out on the emotional discoveries that have made the show a household favorite.
This season, eight celebrities will step into the spotlight, each embarking on a deeply personal quest to uncover the stories, secrets, and surprises hidden within their family trees. As always, the show’s format remains both simple and powerful: each episode follows one celebrity as they trace their lineage, often traveling far beyond the UK’s borders in search of answers. The destinations this year are as diverse as ever, spanning from the windswept coasts of Cornwall and the bustling streets of Glasgow to the sun-drenched isles of the Bahamas, the vibrant heart of Nairobi, and the historic landscapes of India, Italy, and even Tasmania and Australia.
Leading off the season is broadcaster Zoe Ball, whose face and voice are well-known to millions from her long career on British radio and television. According to Radio Times, Ball’s episode is a deeply personal exploration of her Scottish and Cornish roots, with stops in Glasgow, Bolton, Cornwall, and Guernsey. What she uncovers is a tapestry of hardship, tragedy, and resilience. The journey quickly becomes emotional as Ball learns about her grandmother Peggy’s struggles with mental health—a story that unfolds through historical records revealing Peggy’s time in a psychiatric facility while Ball’s mother, Julia, was still a child. The revelations don’t stop there: Ball also discovers the fate of her great-great-great-grandfather James Temby, a Cornish miner who moved his family to Guernsey in search of work in the granite quarries, only to be deported later. These stories, as BBC One notes, offer a window into the challenges and triumphs faced by previous generations, making for compelling television and heartfelt moments.
Hot on Zoe Ball’s heels is professional dancer Amy Dowden, whose episode airs on June 2, 2026. Dowden, known for her dazzling performances on Strictly Come Dancing, steps away from the dance floor to investigate rumors of murder within her family tree. Her journey takes her to a West Wales farmhouse and a valley named after her ancestor. Along the way, Dowden uncovers a powerful parallel to her own life: her great-grandmother Louisa died from breast cancer at just 39, a revelation that resonates deeply given Dowden’s own recent battle with the disease. As Radio Times reports, Dowden was absent from Strictly in 2023 while undergoing chemotherapy for a second cancer diagnosis, making her family’s history with the illness all the more poignant.
Actor Adeel Akhtar, celebrated for his BAFTA-winning role in Murdered by My Father as well as appearances in Ali & Ava, Killing Eve, and Black Doves, takes viewers on a journey tracing his Indian-Kenyan heritage. Akhtar’s investigation leads him from Gujarat to Kenya, where he stumbles upon his ancestors’ pioneering role in the founding of Nairobi. According to BBC One, this episode not only sheds light on Akhtar’s personal history but also explores the broader story of migration, ambition, and the forging of new communities.
Dame Harriet Walter, whose distinguished acting career includes roles in Succession, Killing Eve, and The Crown, delves into her family’s involvement in secret intelligence operations during the Second World War. Her episode also uncovers the scandalous life of a noble Italian ancestor, adding a dash of intrigue and international flair to her journey. As Radio Times details, Walter’s discoveries highlight the complexity and drama that often lie just beneath the surface of family histories.
Joe Swash, beloved for his stint as Mickey Miller on EastEnders and his victories on I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here and Dancing on Ice, investigates a family saga marked by outlaws and crime in Southern Italy. Swash’s story takes him from London’s Little Italy to the Italian countryside, unearthing dramatic tales of rebellion and survival. According to BBC One, this episode promises both thrills and heartfelt moments as Swash grapples with the legacies of those who came before him.
The line-up continues with athlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson, a world champion heptathlete and indoor pentathlete, who explores her Bahamian roots in the Exuma Islands. Johnson-Thompson’s journey reveals her family’s courageous migration to Miami during a time of racial segregation and the terrifying rise of the Ku Klux Klan. As Radio Times notes, her episode is a powerful reminder of the resilience required to overcome prejudice and build a new life in the face of daunting odds.
Actress Ruth Madeley, known for her roles in Years and Years, The Long Shadow, and Brassic, uncovers a long-buried family secret about an adoption. Her investigation involves DNA testing and meticulous genealogical detective work to track down a lost ancestor, demonstrating the modern tools and techniques that have become essential to family history research. According to BBC One, Madeley’s episode is a testament to the surprises that can emerge when the past is scrutinized with both science and heart.
Rounding out the season is actor Toby Jones, whose credits include Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, and Captain America. Jones’s episode begins with a family rumor and leads him from the Theatre Royal in Margate all the way to Meerut in North India, where his great-great-grandfather was stationed with the British Army. What he finds is an astonishing revelation about his lineage, one that connects personal history with the broader sweep of British and Indian relations.
As always, Who Do You Think You Are? weaves together stories of strength, love, tragedy, rebellion, and resilience. Each episode offers viewers a chance to see well-known figures in a new light, revealing the universal challenges and triumphs that define family life across generations. The series’ unique blend of emotional storytelling and historical investigation continues to resonate, making it one of the BBC’s most enduring hits.
However, fans should be aware of a brief interruption in the broadcast schedule. With the FIFA World Cup kicking off on June 11, 2026, Who Do You Think You Are? will pause mid-season as BBC One shifts focus to tournament coverage. The series will resume on July 9, 2026, with Ruth Madeley’s episode, ensuring that the stories can continue to unfold over the summer months.
For those eager to explore more, the show’s return is the perfect invitation to reflect on the ties that bind us all—across time, place, and circumstance. Whether it’s a tale of migration, a hidden act of bravery, or a long-lost relative rediscovered, the new season promises to deliver the emotional depth and historical intrigue that fans have come to cherish.