Olivia Colman, 52, Opens up About Feeling Nonbinary and How She Describes Herself to Her Husband

Olivia Colman has shared a deeply personal look into her identity, revealing that she has always felt a sense of being nonbinary. In a candid discussion regarding her sense of self, the 52-year-old Oscar winner explained that the traditional, rigid expectations of gender have never quite sat right with her.

She admitted that throughout her life, she has often found herself in disagreements because of this internal feeling, noting that she has never felt particularly feminine in her female identity.

The star of The Crown and The Favourite even shared that she has frequently described herself to her husband of 25 years, Ed Sinclair, as a gay man. According to Colman, Sinclair understands and accepts this, which allows her to feel completely at peace within their relationship.

She credited their long-lasting marriage to this fluidity, explaining that they often alternate roles, taking turns being the strong partner or the one who requires more gentleness.

Colman’s reflections on her gender were prompted by her work on the new queer family drama Jimpa, which recently made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival. In the film, she plays Hannah, a mother navigating a changing relationship with her nonbinary child, Frances, during a trip to Amsterdam.

Colman expressed that working on the project was a revelatory experience, helping her realize she was not alone in feeling that identity exists far beyond a simple binary. The actress also touched on her social circle, mentioning that she rarely spends time with people who hold strictly traditional heterosexual views.

She noted that the men in her life are generally comfortable exploring all facets of their personalities, much like her husband. While Colman and Sinclair have been together for over three decades, she jokingly admitted that she fell in love with him at first sight while he was smoking a ciggie during a play rehearsal, though he has no memory of that specific first meeting.

As of February, Olivia Colman remains one of the most prolific and celebrated figures in the entertainment industry. Beyond the release of Jimpa, which hits UK cinemas later this year, she recently starred in the dark comedy The Roses alongside Benedict Cumberbatch.

The film, which was released in late 2025, is a modern reimagining of The War of the Roses and was written by her frequent collaborator Tony McNamara, the scribe behind The Favourite.

Looking ahead, Colman is set to appear in the highly anticipated romantic comedy Wicker, which also stars Alexander Skarsgård and Peter Dinklage. In the film, she plays a fisherwoman who challenges medieval social norms by creating a companion out of wicker, a role that has already garnered rave reviews from early festival screenings.

From her Oscar-winning turn as Queen Anne to her heartwarming portrayal of a supportive mother in Heartstopper, she has consistently used her platform to champion diverse stories. Between her upcoming films and her newfound openness about her identity, Colman is proving that her most authentic chapter is currently unfolding.

Do you think Olivia Colman’s decision to speak openly about her nonbinary identity will help pave the way for other veteran actors to share their own complicated relationships with gender? Share your thoughts in the comments.