Beloved British actor Toby Jones (Mr Bates vs. The Post Office) has been announced as part of the brand-new lineup of the BBC's returning docu-series Who Do You Think You Are?, with the broadcaster describing the cast of names as being an "unmissable line-up of stars".
The BAFTA-winning show welcomes a whole host of famous faces to dive into their roots and explore their family histories, with some of the series' standout and most emotional episodes featuring the likes of Danny Dyer (who found a connection to royalty), TV chef Ainsley Harriott and Gavin & Stacey's Larry Lamb. But who will now be taking part in the 2026 series?
Alongside Toby Jones, who is set to travel to Meerut in north India to follow a family rumour, the BBC has revealed that Olivier and Emmy award-winning actor Dame Harriet Walter (Killing Eve) is also in the line-up.
Related: Toby Jones' highest-rated TV drama branded "a triumph" and "rare treasure" to watch now
Elsewhere, actor Adeel Akhtar (who you'll recognise from Harlan Coben's Fool Me Once, Netflix's Black Doves and Apple TV's Down Cemetery Road) will discover an "amazing" family secret, tracing his Indian-Kenyan roots to a sea voyage from Gujarat and stumbling on "his ancestors' pioneering role in the foundation of Nairobi".
It's also been announced that Strictly Come Dancing's Amy Dowden's Who Do You Think You Are? story is set to be an "emotional" one, said to have "powerful parallels to her own life".
What to Read Next
Meanwhile, Doctor Who star Ruth Madeley's episode will unearth "a long-buried family secret about an adoption", with a "mystery that requires DNA testing and meticulous genealogical detective work to uncover a lost ancestor".
In addition, the 2026 Who Do You Think You Are? cast will feature TV and radio personality Zoe Ball, Olympic and World Champion medalist Katarina Johnson-Thompson, and I'm a Celebrity's Joe Swash.
"This series never fails to astonish and surprise," Simon Young, BBC Head of Commissioning, History, said.
"And in all of the hidden histories it uncovers – aided by the generosity and openness of a simply exceptional cast – we can find a sample of the incredible richness and diversity that makes up modern Britain. Who Do You Think You Are? is social history that brings us all together."
Who Do You Think You Are?'s new series will launch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer this spring.
The new edition of Living Legends, a 100-page all-colour celebration of Harry Styles, is here! Buy Harry Styles in newsagents or online.
TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those. Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK's biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations. As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world's oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending).
