Olivia Colman says she has long felt ‘sort of nonbinary’

Oscar‑winning actor Olivia Colman has spoken candidly about her gender identity, revealing that she has long felt “sort of nonbinary” and often describes herself to her husband, Ed Sinclair, as “a gay man.” The 52‑year‑old made the remarks during recent interviews while promoting her new queer‑centred film Jimpa.

Colman explained that she has never felt “massively feminine” in her gender expression and has frequently questioned conventional expectations placed on her as a woman. “Throughout my whole life, I've had arguments with people where I've always sort of felt nonbinary,” she said, adding that this sense of self has been consistent over many years. 

The actor said that her husband of more than two decades understands her perspective fully. “I’ve always described myself to my husband as a gay man. And he goes, ‘Yeah, I get that,’” she noted, highlighting the couple’s long‑standing mutual understanding and fluid approach to roles within their relationship.

Colman emphasised that she does not spend much time with people who are, in her words, “very staunchly heterosexual,” explaining that many of the men she knows are in touch with all aspects of themselves. She said this has contributed to her feeling at ease with her own identity, which she does not wish to turn into a “big sort of title” or definitive announcement.

Her latest film Jimpa sees her portray the mother of a nonbinary teenager, reflecting a recurring theme in Colman’s career: her involvement in LGBTQ+ stories. She has previously appeared in projects such as Heartstopper, The Favourite and other productions exploring queer experiences. Colman said she feels “honoured” to be welcomed into the LGBTQ+ community, describing it as a source of “loving” and “beautiful” storytelling.

Colman and Sinclair, who met in the 1990s and married in 2001, share three children. Their long partnership has often been discussed in interviews, with Colman describing how they take turns being the “strong one” or the one in need of gentleness - an arrangement she says reflects the fluidity she believes exists in everyone.