Olivia Colman’s Connection to Queer Screen Stories and Her Non-Binary Feelings
Olivia Colman Discusses Non-Binary Identity and Affinity for Queer Stories
Oscar-winning British actress Olivia Colman expressed her connection to non-binary identities and her admiration for queer narratives in a recent interview with Them.
Colman described her feelings of belonging to multiple communities, stating, “I’ve always felt sort of non-binary.” She shared that she often discusses her identity with her husband, referring to herself humorously as a “gay man,” to which he responds with understanding.
This discussion arose as Colman promoted her film Jimpa, which tells the story of a mother and her non-binary teenager visiting the teen’s gay grandfather in Amsterdam. Directed by Sophie Hyde, the film features John Lithgow and Aud Mason-Hyde in the cast.
Reflecting on her lifelong experience, Colman mentioned, “I’ve never felt massively feminine in my being female… I feel like I have a foot in various camps.” She noted that her circle tends to include people who are in touch with diverse aspects of their identities, stating, “I don’t really spend an awful lot of time with people who are very staunchly heterosexual.”
Colman also articulated her attraction to queer stories. “I think it’s a community that I love being welcomed into,” she remarked. “I find the most loving and the most beautiful stories are from that community. And I feel really honored to be welcomed.”
The actress’s remarks coincide with Aud Mason-Hyde’s reflections on working with Lithgow, whom she views as a mentor. While praising Lithgow’s talent, she addressed her discomfort with his role as Albus Dumbledore in the HBO Harry Potter series, citing concerns over J.K. Rowling’s views on trans rights. “He is such an incredibly talented actor, but also such a beautiful human to make work with,” Mason-Hyde shared, emphasizing the positive dynamic they had during filming.
However, she admitted that the casting decision felt “vaguely hurtful,” acknowledging the complexity of the situation yet affirming the genuine collaborative experience they had on Jimpa. “I can’t take away from what we had,” she concluded, highlighting the authenticity Lithgow brought to his role in the film.
