Guy Sebastian, Curtis Stone, Rosie Batty and Matt Day join Bruce McAvaney, Essie Davis, Aaron Pedersen and Chrissie Swan to head up the brand-new season of Who Do You Think You Are?
21 April, 2026
Media releases
New Season Premieres Tuesday 12 May at 7:30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand Watch the trailer
Who Do You Think You Are? returns to SBS and SBS On Demand on Tuesday 12 May 2026 with eight new prominent Australians embarking on deeply personal journeys into their family history, uncovering stories of love, loss, resilience and long held secrets that continue to shape who they are today.
Leading this year's new stories are Guy Sebastian, Rosie Batty, Curtis Stone and Matt Day, joining previously announced participants Bruce McAvaney, Essie Davis, Aaron Pedersen and Chrissie Swan.
Across eight episodes, the series delivers some of its most emotional and visually rich storytelling to date, from long-lost family legacies and migration stories, to confronting generational trauma and moments of profound personal connection.
I didn't expect to feel so emotional, but walking in their footsteps and understanding what they went through it's brought me closer to my parents in a way I didn't anticipate. - Bruce McAvaney
In an emotional opening episode, legendary broadcaster Bruce McAvaney traces his family's history in South Australia, uncovering stories of early settlement, land ownership and personal tragedy. Walking the land once owned by his ancestors, Bruce is visibly moved as he connects more deeply to his late parents, reflecting on both the successes and hardships that shaped his family's legacy.
This is a big moment for me. Being here in India and learning about my family, I feel really connected to it in a way I never have before. It's been a very spiritual experience, and I've learned so much about where I come from. I can't wait to take that back and share it with my family. - Guy Sebastian
Renowned singer-songwriter Guy Sebastian travels across India and Sri Lanka to uncover the truth behind his mother's heritage and reconnect with his father's Tamil roots, with a defining moment coming through DNA results that finally bring clarity to his family's identity.
When people ask where I get my strength, I think it comes from that little girl who lost her mum at six. Looking back at my family, I can see that strength and resilience has always been there. Rosie Batty
Former Australian of the Year and family violence campaigner Rosie Batty returns to her childhood home in England to explore the origins of her strength and resilience, uncovering generations shaped by hardship, class barriers and personal tragedy, and recognising the enduring influence of both sides of her family.
Finding out the truth about my family, and finally knowing where I come from, has given me a sense of peace. It's something I've carried for a long time, and now I feel like I can move forward with a clearer understanding of who I am. - Aaron Pedersen
Respected Indigenous actor Aaron Pedersen leads a powerful NAIDOC Week episode, embarking on a deeply personal journey to uncover his Arabana heritage and the identity of his father, culminating in a life-changing discovery that brings clarity to a question he has carried for decades.
Internationally renowned chef Curtis Stone, whose career spans Michelin-star restaurants and global television, uncovers a deeply personal family story shaped by survival, resilience and long-held mystery, including a DNA breakthrough that finally reveals the identity of his great grandfather.
One of Australia's most prolific stage and screen actors, Matt Day sets out to better understand his family history, uncovering an extraordinary wartime story of survival, including his grandfather's 14-week escape through the jungles of New Guinea during World War II, alongside a legacy of wealth and enterprise that reshapes his understanding of identity and belonging.
Acclaimed stage and screen actor Essie Davis, best known for her role in Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, uncovers a complex family history marked by secrecy and social stigma, including the revelation that her grandmother adopted her own grandchildren to protect a family secret, reshaping her understanding of her father's past.
Much-loved television and radio host Chrissie Swan delves into her family history, uncovering stories of hardship, resilience and unexpected tragedy, including a shocking moment where a long-lost ancestor is revealed to have committed a violent crime, challenging everything she thought she knew about her past.
Bernadine Lim, SBS Senior Commissioning Editor for Documentaries said: At its heart, Who Do You Think You Are? is about connection - to family, to history and to ourselves. This season reveals a new set of unexpected personal histories and family secrets for an extraordinary line up of guests.
Now in its 17th season, Who Do You Think You Are? remains one of SBS's most enduring formats, continuing to connect audiences through deeply human storytelling.
Who Do You Think You Are? is produced by Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia for SBS. The brand-new series airs at 7:30pm Tuesdays on SBS and SBS On Demand, starting 12 May.
All eight episodes of Season 17 of Who Do You Think You Are? will be available to stream on SBS On Demand with subtitles in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean. All episodes will also be available with audio description.
Head to SBS On Demand to catch up on previous seasons of Who Do You Think You Are?
Screeners and images for media use are available on the SBS Screening Room
For a PDF of this media release, click here.
Asia, Australia & Oceanic Stories
21/04/2026
Applications open for 2026 AISF and Screen Australia Writer/Director Virtual Ses...
20/04/2026
Register now - Market & Audience Department Ask Me Anything (AMA) Session 11 February 2026
Screen Australia Head of Market & Audience Rakel Tansley
Talking to...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia announces funding for 44 documentary projects that reflect a s...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia appoints Tanya Phegan as Narrative Content Head of Development 17 March 2026
Tanya Phegan
Screen Australia has today announced the appointmen...
20/04/2026
Applications Open for Skip Ahead 11 19 March 2026
Past Skip Ahead recipients (L-R): Macfarlane Bros, Rainbow Bop, Lyanna Kea.
Screen Australia and YouTube Aus...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia empowers the next games generation, including new creatives fro...
20/04/2026
Official Co-production Ask Me Anything (AMA) Session 26 March 2026
Image (L-R): Mix Tape, Michele McDonald, Flower & Flour.
Interested in international Co-pro...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia announces Narrative Content funding for 91 projects, including ...
20/04/2026
Production Infrastructure and Capacity Analysis (PICA) pinpoints four key workfo...
20/04/2026
Australians in Film and Screen Australia Announce the 2026 Participants in the T...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia relaunches website with new tools and improved user experience 16 April 2026
Screen Australia relaunches website
Screen Australia has relaun...
16/04/2026
SBS reveals all-star alumni team to celebrate 70 years of the Eurovision Song Co...
02/04/2026
SBS Welcomes Back Cup Fever! For The Biggest FIFA World Cup Ever
2 April, 2026
Media releases
Santo Cilauro, Ed Kavalee and a host of special guests retur...
02/04/2026
Truth. Power. Perspective: NITV's Flagship Current Affairs Programs Return t...
27/03/2026
NITV to broadcast farewell to Rhoda Roberts AO with special coverage and week-lo...
21/03/2026
New campaign from NAATI and SBS CulturalConnect highlights how we all deserve t...
21/03/2026
Statement regarding Rhoda Roberts AO
21 March, 2026
Media releases
SBS is deeply saddened by the passing of Widjabul Wieybal woman from the Bundjalung Na...
20/03/2026
Feast for cycling fans as SBS extends road cycling broadcasts to include all Gra...
19/03/2026
Silicon Valley satire The Audacity premieres 15 April on SBS and SBS On Demand
19 March, 2026
Media releases
From one of the writer/producers of Succession...
19/03/2026
SBS brings communities together at Bondi Pavilion for Harmony Week multilingual ...
19/03/2026
Clarification from SBS regarding Western Sydney expansion
19 March, 2026
Media releases
From an SBS spokesperson:
SBS wishes to clarify some media coverag...
19/03/2026
Techtel announces inctrl : web-based production control for content creators, co...
18/03/2026
Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture
18 March, 2026
Media releases
New SBS Audio podcast For The Culture, hosted ...
17/03/2026
New campaign from NAATI and SBS CulturalConnnect highlights how we all deserve ...
12/03/2026
AFL and NITV partner to launch new First Nations led program Inside the Huddle&...
06/03/2026
Statement on the appointment of Dr Nicholas Pappas AM as SBS Chair
6 March, 2026
Media releases
The SBS Board and Executive have welcomed the appointment o...
05/03/2026
SBS and Mint Pictures to chronicle the Bondi terror attack in major feature docu...
05/03/2026
Winter Olympic stars return to the ice for ISU World Figure Skating Championship...
04/03/2026
100 Days to Go: SBS Unveils World Class Team for The Greatest Show on Earth -The...
02/03/2026
Global powerhouse Delta Goodrem to represent Australia at this year's Eurovi...
02/03/2026
SBS brings together prominent voices to discuss rising social division and seek ...
02/03/2026
NITV Unveils Wednesday Night Sport Night
2 March, 2026
Media releases
A Midweek Hub for Blak Sport
Flagship NRL program Over The Black Dot moves to Wednes...
02/03/2026
Ausfilm and Screen Australia launch joint UK market initiative 2 March 2026
Ausfilm and Screen Australia have announced Partner with Australia (UK), a new init...
27/02/2026
Screen Australia announces Rachel Perkins as Director of First Nations Strategy 27 February 2026
Screen Australia has today announced the appointment of Rachel...
18/02/2026
SBS brings Australians together to mark Ramadan and Eid with communities nationw...
16/02/2026
SBS's Powerhouse Current Affairs Line-up is Back with the Conversations and ...
12/02/2026
Our Medicine S2: Frontline Medicine Through A Blak Lens
12 February, 2026
Media releases
A Bigger, Bolder Second Series showcasing First Nations Frontline ...
11/02/2026
ABS Strengthens Ku-Band Capacity and Expands Regional Reach Through Strategic Pa...
10/02/2026
World-first opt-out function now fully integrated on SBS On Demand
10 February, 2026
Media releases
SBS has announced a suite of audience-first enhancement...
09/02/2026
SBS Media Sustainability Challenge returns for 2026
9 February, 2026
Media releases
The challenge offers brands and agencies $500,000 in advertising invent...
04/02/2026
Queer Renegades: SBS Audio's new podcast reclaiming Australia's queer hi...
03/02/2026
The smash-hit series The Hospital: In the Deep End returns to shine a spotlight ...
02/02/2026
SBS's High-Flying Drama The Airport Chaplain casts Hugo Weaving alongside Th...
30/01/2026
Introducing the NEW Techtel.tv! | FEB 5% OFF Offer
30 Jan Written By Suzanne Costello
Our Website & Online Store: Now Unified for a Seamless Experience.We&#...
28/01/2026
28 01 2026 - Media release Screen Australia refreshes Market & Audience approach...
26/01/2026
NAIDOC launches 2026 theme 50 Years of Deadly , marks major milestone
25 January, 2026
Media releases
The National NAIDOC Committee has today unveiled its...
23/01/2026
FY2025 Full Year Results...
22/01/2026
A New Voice, New Places and the Real Australia as Brooke Blurton joins Ernie Din...
21/01/2026
Australia's Greatest Conman? premieres 24 February on SBS and SBS On Demand
Media releases
The $900 million dollar mystery that fooled our nation Austra...
Guy Sebastian, Curtis Stone, Rosie Batty and Matt Day join Bruce McAvaney, Essie Davis, Aaron Pedersen and Chrissie Swan to head up the brand-new season of Who Do You Think You Are? 
