Olivia Colman has long been celebrated for her extraordinary versatility, earning an Academy Award for The Favourite and an Emmy for The Crown. Her career spans beloved British comedies like Peep Show and Fleabag to gripping dramas such as Broadchurch and The Father. Colman's upcoming projects further demonstrate her commitment to diverse and challenging roles.
Netflix's six-part adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice premieres December 3, 2026. Colman plays Mrs. Bennet, a mother fiercely determined to secure advantageous marriages for her five daughters. Written by Dolly Alderton and directed by Euros Lyn, the series also features Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet and Jack Lowden as Mr. Darcy. Colman's portrayal will highlight the genuine anxieties underpinning Mrs. Bennet's often-comical meddling, reflecting her daughters' precarious financial future.
Colman joins Hulu's hit comedy-mystery series, Only Murders in the Building, for its sixth season, debuting December 8, 2026. The season takes the trio—Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Martin Short), and Mabel (Selena Gomez)—to London, investigating Cinda Canning's (Tina Fey) murder. Showrunner John Hoffman confirmed Colman will play a memoirist; her role in solving the case or as a suspect remains a tantalizing mystery. Colman will also reunite with her Broadchurch co-star David Tennant.
Colman lends her voice to the animated family adventure, Bollywoof, slated for UK/Irish theaters on January 22, 2027, with a Sky Cinema release later. Directed by Frederik Du Chau, the film follows Basil, a British springer spaniel, separated from his family in India. Stranded in Kolkata, Basil journeys home with a Bollywood-loving street dog and a cow. Colman's character remains under wraps, joining a voice cast including David Jonsson (as Basil), Kunal Nayyar, and Rhys Ifans.
In historical drama, Colman will portray British fashion editor Isabella Blow in Wild Bird, a short film exploring her complex relationship with designer Alexander McQueen. Russell Tovey, who also penned the screenplay, plays McQueen, with Andrew Haigh directing. The film imagines a road trip where Blow and McQueen confront their strained friendship, which suffered after McQueen's rise to Givenchy. Currently in post-production, a release date is unannounced.
Colman will star alongside Susan Sarandon and Paddy Considine in Army of Shadows, a six-part thriller series for Channel 4. Set in a near-future Britain under American occupation, the series follows a former soldier, Berry, as she recruits civilians into a secret resistance movement. Written by Ronan Bennett, the series draws inspiration from Joseph Kessel's novel and Jean-Pierre Melville's 1969 film. Colman's role is undisclosed, leaving audiences to wonder if she will be an ally or an adversary. Filming commenced in July 2026.
Colman is attached to Girl from the North Country, a film adaptation of Conor McPherson's acclaimed musical featuring Bob Dylan's songs. Set during the Great Depression, Colman plays Elizabeth Laine, a woman with dementia whose husband, Nick (Woody Harrelson), struggles to run their Minnesota guesthouse. Their adopted daughter, Marianne (Chlöe Bailey), further complicates matters by becoming involved with an escaped convict. While announced in February 2023, updates have been sparse, and a release date remains unconfirmed.
From period dramas to animated features and gritty thrillers, Olivia Colman's upcoming slate solidifies her position as one of the industry's most compelling talents. As she once humorously remarked upon receiving her Oscar, "This is genuinely quite stressful. This is hilarious. I've got an Oscar." Fans, far from stressed, eagerly anticipate her next brilliant performances.