Who Do You Think You Are? USA

Liv Tyler embarks on a personal genealogical quest, digging into her family history to piece together the story of her paternal lineage. The focus of her investigation is the little‑known maternal side of her father Steven, a branch that has long remained shrouded in mystery. By combing through records and tracing each generation, she gradually uncovers the identities of ancestors who once took part in celebrated battles. The programme follows her as she connects the dots between distant relatives and historic conflicts, revealing how these forebears’ martial exploits have woven themselves into her own heritage and shaped her sense of identity.

Courteney Cox, best known from Friends, has traced her maternal ancestry back to a line of forebears who were both ruthless and ambitious. According to her findings, these relatives engaged in plotting and even murder as a means of securing power, operating within the turbulent landscape of medieval Europe. She says the family's history reads like a record of power struggles, where cunning and brutality went hand in hand. The research underscores that her ancestors were willing to employ violent tactics and intricate schemes to climb the social ladder of their era. Their ambition and willingness to murder for advantage highlight a difference to Cox's modern public persona.

Courteney Cox, best known from Friends, has traced her maternal ancestry back to a line of forebears who were both ruthless and ambitious. According to her findings, these relatives engaged in plotting and even murder as a means of securing power, operating within the turbulent landscape of medieval Europe. She says the family's history reads like a record of power struggles, where cunning and brutality went hand in hand. The research underscores that her ancestors were willing to employ violent tactics and intricate schemes to climb the social ladder of their era. Their ambition and willingness to murder for advantage highlight a difference to Cox's modern public persona.

Actress Jennifer Grey delves into her family tree, following clues that lead her back to a grandfather she presumed she already knew. As she pieces together records and stories, she begins to realise that the man she thought she understood is, in fact, far more complex than her earlier assumptions suggested. Through this genealogical quest, Grey uncovers the challenges he endured and the ways he overcame them, ultimately emerging as a deeply respected and inspiring figure within his local community. Her investigation reveals how his perseverance turned him into a beacon for those around him, highlighting the lasting impact of his character.

Actress Jennifer Grey delves into her family tree, following clues that lead her back to a grandfather she presumed she already knew. As she pieces together records and stories, she begins to realise that the man she thought she understood is, in fact, far more complex than her earlier assumptions suggested. Through this genealogical quest, Grey uncovers the challenges he endured and the ways he overcame them, ultimately emerging as a deeply respected and inspiring figure within his local community. Her investigation reveals how his perseverance turned him into a beacon for those around him, highlighting the lasting impact of his character.

Courteney Cox, best known from Friends, has traced her maternal ancestry back to a line of forebears who were both ruthless and ambitious. According to her findings, these relatives engaged in plotting and even murder as a means of securing power, operating within the turbulent landscape of medieval Europe. She says the family's history reads like a record of power struggles, where cunning and brutality went hand in hand. The research underscores that her ancestors were willing to employ violent tactics and intricate schemes to climb the social ladder of their era. Their ambition and willingness to murder for advantage highlight a difference to Cox's modern public persona.

The actress delves into the story of an African‑American forebear, painstakingly reconstructing his life and achievements. She charts how, only a few years after emancipation, he dared to defy the expectations imposed on him by a rigid society. By tracing his actions and choices, she shows how he consistently pushed the limits of what was considered acceptable for a Black man of his time. Her investigation highlights his willingness to challenge entrenched norms, illustrating a remarkable example of resistance and ambition in the early post‑slavery era. Through this focused narrative, the programme offers a concise yet powerful portrait of a figure who refused to be constrained by the prejudices of his day.

Actor Chris O'Donnell, known for his role in NCIS: Los Angeles, travels to Missouri to explore his family history. While there, he discovers that an ancestor played a part in assisting people affected by the severe cholera outbreak of 1849. The visit offers him a chance to connect with the local community and learn how his forebear contributed to relief efforts during that devastating epidemic. Through conversations with local historians and visits to historic sites, O'Donnell gains insight into the challenges faced by those afflicted and the compassionate actions taken by his relative to ease their suffering. He reflects on the enduring legacy of such humanitarian work.

Actress America Ferrera embarks on a personal quest to find a link to a father she barely knew, hoping to fill the gaps left by a childhood of limited contact. As she pursues that elusive connection, she uncovers a striking piece of family history: her great‑grandfather was the leader of several uprisings against the Honduran government. The programme follows Ferrera as she pieces together these two strands of her lineage – the faint memory of a distant father and the bold legacy of an ancestor who repeatedly challenged the authorities in Honduras. It's a deeply emotional journey that blends personal reflection with historical discovery, highlighting how the past can shape present identity.

In the episode, Kelsey Grammer delves into his grandmother's lineage, following the branches of her family tree. As he pieces together the genealogy, he uncovers the tale of a woman plagued by inner demons and learns of ancestors who, in a bold migration, risked everything to forge a new life. Through archival records, photographs and family anecdotes, Grammer maps each generation, noting the hardships and hopes that shaped their path. The narrative centres on a woman whose life was shadowed by personal demons, while her forebears embarked on a daring migration, abandoning familiar ground and risking all they possessed. Their collective story, as revealed by Grammer's investigation, underscores the enduring impact of sacrifice and perseverance across generations.

In the episode, Kelsey Grammer delves into his grandmother's lineage, following the branches of her family tree. As he pieces together the genealogy, he uncovers the tale of a woman plagued by inner demons and learns of ancestors who, in a bold migration, risked everything to forge a new life. Through archival records, photographs and family anecdotes, Grammer maps each generation, noting the hardships and hopes that shaped their path. The narrative centres on a woman whose life was shadowed by personal demons, while her forebears embarked on a daring migration, abandoning familiar ground and risking all they possessed. Their collective story, as revealed by Grammer's investigation, underscores the enduring impact of sacrifice and perseverance across generations.

Allison Janney, the award‑winning actress whose work spans stage, film and television, fronts a programme in which she delves into her own genealogy. Throughout the episode she methodically traces her family tree, following records and personal accounts that lead her to a surprising revelation: her lineage reaches back to some of the very first British settlers who arrived in what would become the United States. The series documents her investigative process, highlighting the connections she uncovers between her modern family and the early colonial pioneers. By the end, Janney has linked her personal history to a broader narrative of America’s early British settlement.

Bryan Cranston, best known from Breaking Bad, stars in a programme where he delves into his paternal ancestry. As he follows the trail of his father's past, he uncovers a recurring pattern of desertion that seems to have shaped his family history. Along the way he meets a man described as a man of honour, whose presence adds a further layer to the investigation. He also discovers the existence of an aunt he's never known, a revelation that deepens the mystery of his lineage. The episode weaves these three discoveries together as Cranston pieces together the fragmented story of his forebears.