Olivia Colman reveals her secret tattoo tribute to husband Ed Sinclair but hilariously admits it looks terrible

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Olivia Colman recently shared that she got a tattoo as a hidden tribute to her husband, Ed Sinclair, during an interview on Tuesday.

The 51-year-old actress from The Crown, married to Ed since 2001, recently revealed a new tattoo on her right arm and jokingly said it didn’t look very good.

On the Good Hang podcast with Amy Poehler, she revealed she knew his name, dramatically lifting her sleeve to show it off.

Olivia described the handwriting as feeling like a personal violation, but acknowledged she had willingly accepted it. She said it felt ‘like he’s pd on me, but it was my choice’.

The actress has one other tattoo, given to her by her “Lost Daughter” co-star, Dakota Johnson, after a party in New York City four years ago.

Olivia revealed she got a tattoo on her left arm with the initials of people she cares about, using a simple, at-home tattoo kit.

Looking back, she wondered if she’d been swept away by this attractive person and trying too hard to impress them. Or, she mused, it could have just been a phase brought on by turning the page to a new chapter in her life.

Olivia also revealed the surprising secret behind her long-lasting marriage to screenwriter Ed. 

She shared that they rarely argue, and believes this has been key to the longevity of their relationship.

‘It’s our 25th wedding anniversary next year. We’ve been together 31 years,’ Olivia said. 

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.

Look, I’ve been a fan forever, and I’ve figured something out. Whenever something seems a little…off, or even really bothers me, I’ve learned to just breathe and wait. Because honestly, whatever it is, something *way* bigger and more amazing is usually right around the corner. It’s like, the little annoyances? They’re just a setup for something incredible. Trust me, I’ve seen it happen so many times now!

I understand this approach doesn’t suit everyone, but I believe it’s best to address difficult conversations when things have cooled down. It’s more effective to say 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 also a bit upset at the time…”

The actress, who received an Oscar for her performance in *The Favourite* alongside Emma Stone in 2018, 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. 

The couple have three children with Ed – Finn, 20, Hall, 18, and a ten-year-old daughter. 

Ed began his career as an actor before transitioning into screenwriting and film production. He’s known for writing the 2021 Sky drama *Landscapers*, featuring Olivia and David Thewlis, and recently produced *The Roses*, which stars Olivia and Benedict Cumberbatch as a couple locked in a bitter conflict.

Olivia and her future partner met in the late 1990s while preparing for a Cambridge Footlights performance of Alan Ayckbourn’s play, Table Manners. Olivia was a student at Homerton College, Cambridge, training to be a teacher at the time.

Olivia remembered the first time she laid eyes on him. ‘I’d been to a couple of rehearsals, but hadn’t seen anyone I was attracted to,’ she said. ‘Then I walked in and saw the side of his face – his profile.’

I knew instantly I wanted to marry him. I was watching him smoke, and I just loved the way he looked – especially his profile, with a little bump on his nose. It was like being struck by lightning – I just *knew* he was the one! He had no idea, of course.

Olivia jokingly said she clearly remembers meeting Ed for the first time, but he doesn’t remember it at all. She added that he’s completely forgotten the encounter.

They married in 2001, after being together for seven years. She’s mentioned before that he’s a very supportive partner at home.

I’ve always appreciated that he’s there for me when I’m down on myself, when I feel like I’ve messed something up. It’s a really supportive relationship – we genuinely lift each other up and help each other through tough times.

She playfully noted that they quickly realized it was best if he focused on writing and she continued acting, and that they avoid discussing each other’s work-it simply makes things smoother.

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2025-09-17 14:26