Why emotional BBC hit Who Do You Think You Are? season 23 is a must-see

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A new season of Who Do You Think You Are? is coming to BBC One, with a fresh group of celebrities exploring their family histories. The popular show returns for its 23rd season, following well-known British personalities as they investigate their ancestry both in the UK and abroad, hoping to discover more about their predecessors.

This award-winning series has consistently been a popular success for the BBC, captivating audiences with its moving stories and unexpected twists. Each episode reveals a fresh perspective on well-known people, showcasing their strength, hardship, and journeys of overcoming challenges.

Last season of the show was full of well-known faces – including Andrew Garfield, Diane Morgan, Ross Kemp, Aisling Bea, Mishal Husain, Will Young, Layton Williams, and Fred Sirieix – as they all explored their family history. The new season promises another exciting group of celebrities doing the same.

What to expect from the new season of Who Do You Think You Are?

Zoe Ball starts a new series by exploring her family history, with guidance from her father, TV personality Johnny Ball. The search leads them from Scotland to Cornwall, where Zoe discovers difficult details about her mother Julia’s childhood.

In this episode, Zoe travels to places like Glasgow, Bolton, Cornwall, and Guernsey, researching her family’s past. A major discovery involves learning about her grandmother Peggy’s battles with mental health. Records show Peggy was admitted to a psychiatric hospital when Zoe’s mother, Julia, was young.

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Later in the show, Zoe learns about her ancestor, James Temby. He was a miner from Cornwall who moved his family to Guernsey, hoping for work in the granite quarries. Unfortunately, he was eventually sent back home.

Next week, on June 2nd, Strictly Come Dancing pro Amy Dowden will be featured in an episode where she researches a possible murder in her family history. The episode takes a personal turn when Amy learns her great-grandmother, Louisa, died of breast cancer at just 39 years old – a discovery that’s particularly moving considering Amy’s own battle with the disease.

Get ready for some captivating new stories! Actor Adeel Akhtar learns unexpected details about his family’s role in the creation of Nairobi, and Dame Harriet Walter uncovers a link to secret spy work from World War II.

Joe Swash, known for his role in EastEnders, will be featured in an episode revealing a surprising and sometimes troubling family history connected to crime. Like all episodes of the show, this one focuses on the personal story of a single celebrity.

Who Do You Think You Are season 23 cast: who’s in it this year?

  • Zoe Ball
  • Amy Dowden
  • Adeel Akhtar
  • Dame Harriet Walter
  • Joe Swash
  • Katarina Johnson-Thompson
  • Ruth Madeley
  • Toby Jones

When can I watch Who Do You Think You Are season 23?

The new season starts this Tuesday, May 26th, at 9pm on BBC One. New episodes will air every week at the same time, with Amy Dowden and Joe Swash appearing early in the season after an introduction by Zoe Ball. Keep in mind that the World Cup will cause some episodes to be rescheduled later in the season.

Because the BBC will be showing a lot of the tournament starting June 11th, the show Who Do You Think You Are? is taking a short break. It will be back on July 9th with an episode featuring Ruth Madeley.

Who Do You Think You Are? airs this Tuesday, 26 May at 9pm on BBC One.

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2026-05-26 20:50