Returning: Who Do You Think You Are?

Australia’s Who Do You Think You Are? season 14 is set to premiere on SBS in May, now confirming new names: Jenny Brockie, Stephen Page, Peter Helliar, Kerry Armstrong and John Waters.

They join the peviously-announced Barry Humphries, Derryn Hinch and Rhonda Burchmore in the celebrated genealogy series.

Bernadine Lim, SBS Commissioning Editor for Documentaries said: “We are completely thrilled the new season of Who Do You Think You Are? will return to SBS from May 2, and with such a brilliant line-up of guests. Prepare to be delighted by Barry Humphries’ quest to prove he’s the most interesting person in his family, captivated by Jenny Brockie’s deeply emotional journey as she searches for the familial connections she has yearned for all her life, and moved as Derryn Hinch finally uncovers the long-suppressed identity of his mother’s father. And that’s just the first three episodes! With this new season Who Do You Think You Are? continues to fascinate, amuse and enthral Australian audiences, resonating with our universal desire to discover our origins, in all their diversity.”

In episode one, international superstar Barry Humphries investigates a royal scandal in his father’s ancestry and unravels the great mystery of his maternal family history. Confident he’s the most interesting person in his family tree, Barry is on a quest to be proven wrong.

In episode two, one of Australia’s most experienced and respected journalists, Jenny Brockie, uncovers surprising secrets hidden in her mother’s family tree, and embarks on an emotional journey to solve the mystery of her father’s ancestry.

Jenny Brockie said: “I was always questioning and wanting to know things, which is unsurprising, but my mum wasn’t very yielding on a lot of things, and she particularly wasn’t yielding on my father, and details about my father.”

Journalist, commentator, author, and former Senator Derryn Hinch takes a deep dive into his family’s roots in episode three, revealing the truth surrounding the identity of his mother’s father, and uncovering a surprising war survival story on his father’s side.

Derryn Hinch said: “I’ve found this journey to be a rollercoaster. Things I thought were real weren’t… It has been taxing, but it’s been wonderfully taxing. It’s torn at the heartstrings. And I’ve discovered things that have been quite a revelation.”

In episode four, multi-talented entertainer and show business veteran Rhonda Burchmore discovers the truth about the maternal grandfather she never knew. And on her father’s side, she uncovers the story of a fascinating entrepreneur who left an amazing legacy to the people of Sydney.

World-renowned choreographer and artistic director Stephen Page has long been curious about his mother Doreen’s ancestry. Born to a white father, Doreen supressed her indigenous identity to survive racism in 1950s Australia. In episode five, Stephen takes part in an emotional and unexpected journey, making a series of surprising and moving revelations along the way.

Stand-up comedian, writer, presenter and producer Peter Helliar discovers his family past in episode six, uncovering the story of a maternal ancestor deeply traumatised by his experience at Gallipoli, and on his father’s side, embracing an Irish rogue and a thrilling link to an AFL pioneer.

Peter Hellier said: “I really love AFL. It’s my happy place and I often thank my dad for passing that onto me. My whole family are Collingwood. We literally go to the football every week, and we love it. Footy to me means many things, but if I was really to get to the heart of it, it’s about family”.

In episode seven renowned film, television, and stage actor Kerry Armstrong searches for clues to her own character and is amazed to discover a line of rebellious and free-spirited women who weren’t afraid to stand up for their rights. She also explores the mystery behind her strong connection to the sea. During the filming of this episode, Kerry faces an unexpected and deeply moving personal loss.

In the final episode of the season, respected and celebrated actor and musician John Waters explores his family’s history, embracing working class radicals in his father’s family, and discovering a maternal ancestor at the heart of colonial Caribbean history.

John Waters said: “One of the disappointing things about the family tree done by my uncle that I had researched is that it was a fairly misogynistic thing, and only followed the male line backwards, and women just pop in, have children, and then disappear again. I’m interested in all the women that form an equal part of who I am, about whom just a name has been written on a piece of paper before now.”

Who Do You Think You Are? is produced by Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia for SBS.

All eight episodes of Season 14 of Who Do You Think You Are? will be available to stream on SBS On Demand with subtitles in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean. All episodes will also be available with audio description.

7.30pm Tuesdays on SBS starting 2 May.