She is the proud recipient of an Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe among her many accolades.
Olivia Colman’s successful career has been greatly supported by her husband, Ed Sinclair, who is just as creative and encouraging.
The director quietly provided crucial support and guidance on some of her biggest successes.
So it’s clear that Olivia and Ed have a successful working relationship.
Recently, Olivia surprised many by sharing that she’s always jokingly referred to herself as the ‘gay man’ in her marriage.
So what is the secret to Olivia and Ed’s 25-year marriage?
Olivia recently shared a surprising key to her successful marriage: she and her husband avoid arguing altogether.
Olivia shared on the Good Hang podcast that she and her husband will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary next year, marking 31 years together.
When asked about the secret to their long-lasting relationship, she said they avoid big arguments, which she admits might not be the most conventional approach.
We’ve realized over time, though it took us a while, that if something seems frustrating now, it’s often best to just be patient and see how things unfold.
I understand this approach won’t work for everyone, but I believe it’s best to bring up difficult conversations when things have cooled down. Something like, “Can we discuss what happened? I felt a little uncomfortable with that, and I want to make sure it’s okay to bring it up. I was a bit upset at the time…” is a good way to start.
When asked about the secret to her lasting marriage, she told The Guardian that they simply accept each other’s little quirks and irritations. She explained, ‘After 30 years, it’s normal to get on each other’s nerves a bit.’
The actress, who received an Oscar for her performance in The Favourite alongside Emma Stone in 2019, also mentioned she remains physically attracted to Ed even after all this time.
‘He’s my best friend and I fancy him, which is quite nice,’ she said.
Olivia previously said he plays a very supporting role at home.
She said he consistently supports her when she’s feeling down or doubts herself, and she does the same for him – they lift each other up.
Oh my gosh, she was SO funny! She basically said they figured out a long time ago that it’s just better if he sticks to writing and she does the acting, and they just… don’t discuss it. Like, at all! She said it makes everything so much easier if they avoid talking about work. I totally get it, honestly! It’s brilliant. They just know what works for them, and it’s adorable!
Olivia and Ed met in the 1990s while attending school in Cambridge.
They met and fell in love while practicing for a Cambridge Footlights performance of Alan Ayckbourn’s play, Table Manners.
Okay, so she told everyone she basically dedicated six whole weeks to learning every single lyric to a song he happened to like! Can you believe it? And it wasn’t just that – she actually figured out his entire schedule! It’s…it’s just so dedicated, so thoughtful! I mean, who does that? It’s amazing, honestly. She’s incredible.
‘I sort of stalked him,’ she told Bustle. ‘Which I don’t condone. It did work in our case.
‘I remind him every day that he is a very lucky man.’
Olivia was training to become a teacher at Homerton College, Cambridge, and Ed began his studies in law at Cambridge University.
How do changing ideas about gender and identity shape long-term relationships and marriage today?
Comment now
Ed soon shifted to the arts and attended the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School to pursue acting.
He started his career with minor acting parts, including a memorable appearance on the BBC show Look Around You, before transitioning to writing and producing films.
Ed wrote the Sky drama series Landscapers, which featured Olivia and David Thewlis. He recently also produced The Roses, starring Olivia and Benedict Cumberbatch as a couple locked in a bitter conflict.
Olivia remembered the first time she laid eyes on him. She explained to Them that she’d attended two rehearsals beforehand, but hadn’t found anyone she was attracted to. Then, she walked in and caught sight of his profile – the left side of his face – and was immediately struck.
I saw him smoking, with his feet crossed and a charming little bump on his nose. When I saw his profile, I immediately knew I was going to marry him.
‘I had proper thunderbolts: that’s him, that’s him! Poor thing, he didn’t know.’
Olivia jokingly said she has a clear memory of when she first met Ed, but he doesn’t remember it at all. She admitted he simply doesn’t recall their first encounter.
Back in 2013, she shared with the Daily Mail that she and her husband were fortunate to find each other when they had little, and their love for one another helped them through it all.
‘We were 20 and he was also an actor. If you meet at that age then you’re fine.’
The couple has three children: sons Hall, 18, and Finn, 20, and a 10-year-old daughter.
Their firstborn, Finn, was born in 2005 while Hall joined the family in 2007.
Their daughter came along in 2015 while Oliva was filming The Night Manager.
She recently shared with Radio Times that being pregnant has made it difficult to remember her lines while filming.
‘I’ve got a bit of nappy brain going on.’
Even though she’s famous, she and her partner have chosen to keep their kids out of the public eye.
She told the Daily Mail that having Ed at home is a huge help with the kids, especially when she’s traveling. She playfully added that he’s actually a much better parent than she is.
Even though I really miss my children when I’m traveling for work, I feel confident they’re getting wonderful care.
‘When I get back they go, “Oh no, she’s not going to cook is she? She’s bound to burn something!”‘
After living in London for many years, the couple moved to the Norfolk countryside when the COVID-19 pandemic began.
The actress explained at the time how paparazzi made living in a major city ‘difficult’.
She admitted to Vogue that she was frightened, recalling a time when they were pursued by two cars, which caused her to panic.
‘I was crying and they were laughing.’
Olivia recently shared that she feels uncomfortable filming intimate scenes, as they make her feel like she’s being unfaithful to her husband.
Olivia mentioned on Good Hang that she’s uncomfortable with roles requiring nudity or simulated intimacy, feeling it conflicts with her personal values and feels like a betrayal of trust.
They might offer small concessions, like saying I can wear jeans or suggesting we put a cushion between us, but I refuse. I don’t want any of that.
Olivia and Amy both praised the actors who performed with ease, joking that they could watch talented, comfortable performers all day. However, they then questioned the necessity of portraying on-screen orgasms.
The actress expressed relief for the presence of intimacy coordinators on set, saying, ‘Absolutely not, thank goodness for them!’ She then shared a strange direction she once received: to simply pretend the sun was on her face whenever she needed to simulate an orgasm.
Olivia recently shared in an interview that she’s always identified as nonbinary, explaining that it’s how she’s felt for a long time.
You know, as someone who looks at relationships and how people live their lives, I’ve always believed strongly in letting go of old-fashioned ideas about how men and women ‘should’ behave. I recently spoke with an actress who shared that she’s personally never felt comfortable with strict expectations around gender – and that includes within her own marriage. It’s so refreshing to hear someone speak openly about breaking free from those limitations and creating a relationship that truly works for them, regardless of what anyone else thinks.
The actress, discussing her new film Jimpa, shared that she’s often felt nonbinary during disagreements with others throughout her life.
I’ve never strongly identified with traditional femininity, even as a woman. I’ve consistently explained to my husband that I feel like a gay man.
‘And he goes, “Yeah I get that.” And so I do feel at home and at ease.’
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve always believed in surrounding yourself with people who are authentic and comfortable in their own skin. Honestly, I don’t gravitate towards those who are rigidly defined by traditional labels, especially when it comes to sexuality. The men I cherish and connect with are incredibly self-aware and embrace all facets of who they are – and that’s what truly matters to me.
My husband and I share the role of being the strong one, and then needing support in return. I think everyone is capable of both strength and vulnerability, and I’ve always believed that.
Many people feel the same way – things aren’t always simply black and white. I really appreciated that feeling while making this film, and it was reassuring to realize I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.
Nonbinary refers to a gender identity that isn’t exclusively male or female. It describes people who don’t fit neatly into those two categories.
Read More
- Gold Rate Forecast
- MLBB x KOF Encore 2026: List of bingo patterns
- How TIME’s Film Critic Chose the 50 Most Underappreciated Movies of the 21st Century
- Bianca Censori finally breaks her silence on Kanye West’s antisemitic remarks, sexual harassment lawsuit and fears he’s controlling her as she details the toll on her mental health during their marriage
- Outlander’s Caitríona Balfe joins “dark and mysterious” British drama
- Mystic Realms introduces portal-shifting card battles with legendary myth-inspired cards, now available on mobile
- Married At First Sight’s worst-kept secret revealed! Brook Crompton exposed as bride at centre of explosive ex-lover scandal and pregnancy bombshell
- Bob Iger revived Disney, but challenges remain
- Demon1 leaves Cloud9, signs with ENVY as Inspire moves to bench
- Brent Oil Forecast
2026-02-10 04:25