Who Do You Think You Are? is an American genealogy documentary series that is an adaptation of the British series of the same name that airs on the BBC. In each episode, a celebrity participant researches their family history. The participant often travels to locations both domestically and internationally to research family stories. The series is a partnership between Shed Media and Ancestry.com, with executive producers including Alex Graham, Pam Healey, Lisa Kudrow, Dan Bucatinsky, Stephanie Schwam and Al Edgington.

Production

In early 2009, it was announced that NBC had ordered an American adaptation of the British series Who Do You Think You Are?. It was reported that Lisa Kudrow was set to executive produce the series as well as participate in one of the first-season episodes. The show premiered on NBC on March 5, 2010, as one of the replacement shows for The Jay Leno Show at the ten o'clock hour. NBC renewed the series for two subsequent seasons before cancelling it in 2012. The series was then picked up by TLC, where it aired for six additional seasons. On August 25, 2017, TLC renewed the series for a tenth season. On May 6, 2019, it was announced that the series would return to NBC. The eleventh season premiered on July 10, 2022. On October 10, 2022, it was reported that NBC shelved the series indefinitely.

Series overview

Episodes

Season 1 (2010)

Season 2 (2011)

NBC ordered a second season for the reality series on April 5, 2010. The second season of the series began on February 4, 2011, and consisted of eight episodes. The first episode featured Vanessa Williams. Following episodes featured Tim McGraw, Rosie O'Donnell, Kim Cattrall, Lionel Richie, Steve Buscemi, Gwyneth Paltrow and Ashley Judd. Cattrall's episode is an edited version of the original one that she made for the British series in 2009.

Season 3 (2012)

The show was renewed for a third season by NBC on February 22, 2011, and aired during the 2011–2012 television season. The 12 celebrities included in season 3 were Marisa Tomei, Rob Lowe, Paula Deen, Rashida Jones, Jerome Bettis, Reba McEntire, Helen Hunt, Edie Falco, Rita Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Martin Sheen and Blair Underwood. The show returned on February 3, 2012.

Season 4 (2013)

After being cancelled by NBC, TLC picked up the series and the new season began on July 23, 2013. The celebrities taking part in the fourth season were Christina Applegate, Cindy Crawford, Zooey Deschanel, Chelsea Handler, Kelly Clarkson, Trisha Yearwood, Jim Parsons and Chris O'Donnell.

Season 5 (2014–15)

TLC renewed the show on September 10, 2013. The season premiered on July 23, 2014, and featured Cynthia Nixon, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Rachel McAdams, Valerie Bertinelli and Kelsey Grammer. Initially, an episode featuring Lauren Graham was planned but cancelled. Just like Kim Cattrall's episode, the network chose to air an edited version of an episode that Minnie Driver had made for the original BBC series in 2013.

Season 6 (2015)

Season 6 premiered on July 26, 2015. This season featured Ginnifer Goodwin, J. K. Rowling, Alfre Woodard, Bryan Cranston and Tom Bergeron. Rowling's episode was an edited version of her appearance on the original BBC series in 2011.

Season 7 (2016)

Season 7 premiered on April 3, 2016. The list of celebrity participants included Aisha Tyler, Scott Foley, Lea Michele, Chris Noth, Katey Sagal and Molly Ringwald.

Season 8 (2017)

On June 9, 2016, the series was renewed for an eighth season consisting of 8 episodes which premiered on March 5, 2017. The list of celebrities that participated included Jessica Biel, Julie Bowen, Courteney Cox, Jennifer Grey, Smokey Robinson, John Stamos, Liv Tyler and Noah Wyle.

Season 9 (2018)

The series was renewed for a ninth season that premiered on May 21, 2018. The list of celebrity participants included Hilary Duff, Jean Smart, Jon Cryer, Laverne Cox, Megan Mullally and Molly Shannon.

Season 10 (2018)

The tenth season premiered on December 3, 2018. The list of celebrity participants included Mandy Moore, Regina King, Josh Duhamel and Matthew Morrison.

Season 11 (2022)

Reception

Awards and nominations

Ratings

Season 1: 2010

Season 2: 2011

Season 3: 2012

Season 4: 2013

Season 5: 2014–15

Season 6: 2015

Season 7: 2016

Season 8: 2017

Season 9: 2018

Season 10: 2018

Season 11: 2022

DVD releases

International distribution