Olivia Colman was born on the 30 January 1974 and is an English actress best known for her comedic performances. She trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and has appeared in radio, television and theatre.

Olivia has appeared in many BBC and Channel 4 television programmes such as Green Wing where she played Harriet Schulenburg, Look Around You, Black Books, The Office and Peep Show. She regularly features in BBC Radio 4 comedies, including Think The Unthinkable and That Mitchell and Webb Sound. She also appears in every episode of the television version, That Mitchell and Webb Look. She provided the voice over for the Five poll for Britain’s Funniest Comedy Character.

Her film credits include the British mockumentary film, Confetti, in which she played a practicing naturist, I Could Never Be Your Woman and as Doris Thatcher in Hot Fuzz alongside many of the British television comedy actors she has been known for working with. She appeared as 'Bev' alongside Mark Burdis as 'Kev' in a memorable television commercial for AA car insurance.