Olivia Colman, 52, Gets Candid About Gender Identity and a Personal Truth With Her Husband

Olivia Colman is opening up about a very personal part of her life, and she is doing it in her own calm and honest way. The Oscar-winning actress recently shared that she has always felt outside traditional ideas of gender. She explained that the usual labels have never fully fit how she sees herself.

The 52-year-old spoke about this while promoting her new film Jimpa during interviews at the Sundance Film Festival, according to reports from the festival press circuit. She said she has never felt especially feminine and that this feeling has followed her since she was young. Because of that, gender expectations often felt uncomfortable to her.

Colman shared that she sometimes describes herself to her husband, Ed Sinclair, as a gay man. The two have been married for 25 years, and she said he understands exactly what she means. That acceptance, she explained, makes their relationship feel safe and balanced.

She added that their marriage works because they allow each other to move between roles. Some days one of them is stronger, and other days one needs more care. That flexibility, she said, is a big reason their relationship has lasted so long.

These thoughts came up while she was working on Jimpa, a queer family drama that premiered at Sundance. In the film, Colman plays a mother named Hannah whose nonbinary child is exploring their identity during a trip to Amsterdam. She said the story made her reflect on her own feelings and helped her see that identity is not fixed or simple.

Colman also mentioned that most of the people in her life are open-minded and relaxed about gender and sexuality. She said she does not spend much time around people with strict or traditional views. According to her, the men she knows are comfortable being soft, emotional, or playful, much like her husband.

Outside of Jimpa, Colman has been busy with several major projects. She recently appeared in The Roses with Benedict Cumberbatch, a modern take on The War of the Roses written by Tony McNamara. The film was released in late 2025 and received strong reactions for its sharp tone.

She is also set to star in the upcoming romantic comedy Wicker alongside Alexander Skarsgård and Peter Dinklage. The film has already screened at festivals and is expected to arrive in theaters later this year. As Colman continues to take on bold roles and speak more openly about who she is, she seems more comfortable than ever sharing her truth.

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