Olivia Colman Opens Up About Feeling 'Nonbinary' Throughout Her Life

The acclaimed actress discusses her personal connection to LGBTQ+ stories and her fluid sense of gender identity.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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In a recent interview, acclaimed actress Olivia Colman discussed her personal connection to LGBTQ+ stories and her lifelong feeling of being 'sort of nonbinary.' Colman, who is married to actor Ed Sinclair, said she has always felt that she doesn't fully identify with traditional notions of femininity and has even described herself to her husband as a 'gay man.' The actress, who plays the parent of a nonbinary child in the new film Jimpa, expressed feeling at home and at ease in the LGBTQ+ community and believes that gender binaries are problematic and limiting for both men and women.

Why it matters

Colman's openness about her fluid gender identity and affinity for LGBTQ+ stories represents a growing trend of high-profile celebrities speaking candidly about non-traditional gender expressions and identities. As society continues to have important conversations about gender, Colman's perspective provides valuable insight and representation for those who don't strictly identify as male or female.

The details

In the interview, Colman discussed her role in the new film Jimpa, in which she plays the parent of a nonbinary child. She expressed feeling 'really honored' to be welcomed into LGBTQ+ stories, which she described as 'the most loving and the most beautiful.' Colman also revealed that throughout her life, she has 'always felt sort of nonbinary' and has even told her husband that she sees herself as a 'gay man.' The film's director, Sophie Hyde, agreed that the idea of rigid gender binaries is 'problematic' and doesn't 'necessarily fit for all of us.'

  • Olivia Colman discussed her gender identity in a recent interview published on February 10, 2026.

The players

Olivia Colman

An acclaimed British actress known for her roles in films and TV shows such as The Favourite, The Crown, and Broadchurch.

Ed Sinclair

Olivia Colman's husband, who is also an actor.

Sophie Hyde

The director of the film Jimpa, in which Colman plays the parent of a nonbinary child.

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What they’re saying

“I find the most loving and the most beautiful stories are from that community. And I feel really honored to be welcomed.”

— Olivia Colman, Actress (Them)

“Throughout my whole life, I've had arguments with people where I've always felt sort of nonbinary. Don't make that a big sort of title! But I've never felt massively feminine in my being female. I've always described myself to my husband as a gay man. And he goes, 'Yeah, I get that.' So I do feel at home and at ease. I feel like I have a foot in various camps. I know many people who do.”

— Olivia Colman, Actress (Them)

“The idea of being a woman or womanhood. It doesn't necessarily fit for all of us. I think these binaries of gender are problematic for many of us. It's like, how can you fit? There are problems sometimes.”

— Sophie Hyde, Director of Jimpa (Them)

“And men are limited, too, in that — in the expectation they have to live up to. I think with my husband and I, we take turns to be the 'strong one,' or the one who needs a little bit of gentleness. I believe everyone has all of it in them. I've always felt like that.”

— Olivia Colman, Actress (Them)

The takeaway

Olivia Colman's openness about her fluid gender identity and affinity for LGBTQ+ stories provides valuable representation and insight into the growing societal acceptance of non-traditional gender expressions. Her perspective challenges rigid gender binaries and highlights the diversity of human experience when it comes to one's sense of self.