The WORST episodes of Who Do You Think You Are? (AU)
Every episode of Who Do You Think You Are? (AU) ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Who Do You Think You Are? (AU)!
Well-known Australians play detective as they go in search of their family history, revealing secrets from the past. Taking us to all corners of Australia and the globe are six stories of individuals seeking to find the definitive answer to where they came from. Along the way secrets are uncovered and histories are revealed—from adultery and madness to children born out of wedlock and even the whiff of a right royal scandal—with each individual discovering that their ancestors form an integral part of not only their own identity, but that of the nation. Combining emotional and personal journeys with big-picture history, these inspiring and sometimes challenging stories remind us how Australians have come to be the people that we are today. Considering Australia’s multicultural background, this is a global story, with each celebrity tracing their ancestors around the world. They travel to the places where their forebears would have lived, loved and died, and learn about the hardships and hurdles their ancestors overcame. This is a fascinating chronicle of the social, ethnic and cultural evolution of Australia’s national identity.
#1 - Essie Davis
Season 17 - Episode 3 - Aired 5/26/2026
Driven by a lifetime of curiosity, actress Essie Davis unlocks her father's secretive family history and delights in discovering her mother's warm, caring nature in unexpected ancestors.
#2 - Melissa George
Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/10/2012
Actress Melissa George uncovers the heartbreaking truth behind a story of child migrants and investigates the case of an ancestor suspected of abusing a prisoner in a colonial gaol.
#3 - Michael Caton
Season 5 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/23/2013
By retracing his history, iconic actor Michael Caton will uncover a family tragedy and an ancestor’s involvement in one of Australia’s greatest crime sprees.
#4 - Rodger Corser
Season 10 - Episode 8 - Aired 6/18/2019
Actor Rodger Corser rose to fame for his roles in the award-winning crime series Underbelly and the critically-acclaimed Glitch, and for the series lead on Doctor, Doctor. But while Rodger is comfortable donning the mask of a character, exploring his own identity is a little more daunting.
#5 - Celia Pacquola
Season 12 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/8/2021
When Celia Pacquola digs into her beloved mum’s family, she finds her three times Scottish great grandfather, John Rae, was Sydney’s first Town Clerk, and his talent as a landscape painter was of historic significance. She learns of the romance and tragedy of John Rae’s life in Sydney, and how that spurs him on to create a lasting legacy for future generations of Australians.
#6 - Uncle Jack Charles
Season 12 - Episode 5 - Aired 7/6/2021
Actor, former self-described 'serial pest', and member of the Stolen Generation, Uncle Jack Charles has never known the love of a parent. He will uncover details of the father he never knew, and make connections that will complete the jigsaw of his paternal family. His mother’s ancestral journey will take Jack to Tasmania, where he will discover a dark history and maternal ancestors whose resilience resonates with his own fighting spirit.
#7 - Grant Denyer
Season 12 - Episode 6 - Aired 7/13/2021
While looking into his father’s side of the family, television presenter Grant Denyer finds his three times great grandfather, Charles Kennard Ward, at the centre of a shocking secret buried deep in his family’s past. Exploring further on the paternal line, Grant traces roots to the Scottish Highlands where he finds his three times great grandmother, Ann Ross, at the centre of one the most brutal incidents of the Highland Clearances. Driven off their ancestral property, Grant’s ancestors settle in Victoria’s Western District before risking everything for the dream of owning their own land.
#8 - Justin Hodges
Season 13 - Episode 3 - Aired 7/5/2022
On this episode of Who Do You Think You Are? legendary rugby league footballer, Justin Hodges is on a mission to learn more about his indigenous family history. On his mother's side, Justin traces the story of his mysterious great grandmother, from profound dislocation to an astounding family legacy. Following his father's family, Justin journeys to the Torres Strait Islands where he discovers a pioneering and heroic great uncle.
#9 - Barry Humphries
Season 14 - Episode 1 - Aired 5/2/2023
On this episode of 'Who Do You Think You Are?', comedian Barry Humphries journeys back to 18th Century England and discovers how a royal scandal intersects with his ancestor, a humble, rural grocer. On his maternal side, Barry has long been curious as to why his mother's family history was never discussed. His investigations unearth characters and events that help Barry better understand his mother's difficult character.
#10 - Derryn Hinch
Season 14 - Episode 3 - Aired 5/16/2023
Veteran journalist Derryn Hinch has long been curious about the identity of his mother's father. His one clue, a childhood portrait of his mother Betty, leads Derryn to suspect her father was an English sailor. But on this episode of 'Who Do You Think You Are?', Derryn submits to a DNA test with heart-rending results. On his paternal side, Derryn discovers a shared bond with an intrepid matriarch, and the surprising war-survival story of an uncle he'd previously dismissed as merely a larrikin.
#11 - Rhonda Burchmore
Season 14 - Episode 4 - Aired 5/23/2023
In this episode of 'Who Do You Think You Are?', entertainer, Rhonda Burchmore, investigates her mysterious maternal grandfather who abandoned her mother as a child. In the process, she's thrilled to discover a performer in her family. On her father's side, Rhonda finds an intriguing guardian angel, who came to the rescue of her widowed great grandmother and her 11 children. As she unravels the mystery, Rhonda discovers a fascinating entrepreneur who amassed a fortune and left an amazing legacy to the people of Sydney.
#12 - Stephen Page
Season 14 - Episode 5 - Aired 5/30/2023
In this episode of 'Who Do You Think You Are?', artistic director and choreographer Stephen Page investigates his mother's maternal history and is surprised to discover his 2x great grandfather was a charismatic sailor and fisherman from the Philippines who left an extraordinary family legacy. Searching for his mysterious great grandfather, who he thinks is Maori, leads Stephen to a remote island in the Pacific Ocean, and an emotional meeting with family he never knew he had.
#13 - Peter Helliar
Season 14 - Episode 6 - Aired 6/6/2023
Comedian, author, presenter and producer Peter Helliar values his close family connections and is determined to remedy his lack of knowledge about his ancestry. In this episode of Who Do You Think You Are? Peter discovers his family past, uncovering the story of a maternal ancestor deeply traumatised by his experience at Gallipoli, and on his father’s side, embracing an Irish rogue and a thrilling link to an AFL pioneer.
#14 - Kerry Armstrong
Season 14 - Episode 7 - Aired 6/13/2023
In this episode of 'Who Do You Think You Are?' actor Kerry Armstrong is amazed to discover a line of rebellious and free-spirited women in her family’s history, who weren't afraid to stand up for their rights. In her father's paternal line, Kerry finds an ancestor with whom she shares a remarkable connection. She travels to Tasmania to retrace her relative's movements and uncovers a fascinating story along the way. Kerry also deals with a traumatic event in her own life when her mother passes away suddenly during filming. But, after consulting her family, Kerry decides to complete the exploration of her ancestry, in honour of her late mother. Kerry also explores the mystery behind her strong connection to the sea and discovers an intriguing explanation for her free-spiritedness and her life-long fascination with the ocean and sailing.
#15 - John Waters
Season 14 - Episode 8 - Aired 6/20/2023
Veteran actor and musician, John Waters, was born in the UK and came to Australia at the age of 19. On this episode of Who Do You Think You Are?, John returns to his homeland to investigate his paternal Scottish working-class roots. Despite being close to his father, John knows little about his family background. He's particularly interested to find out more about the tragic, accidental death of his father's 13-year-old brother. On his mother's side, John journeys to the Caribbean and discovers the significant role his family played at a pivotal time in the region's colonial history.
#16 - Manu Feildel
Season 15 - Episode 1 - Aired 5/7/2024
On this episode of 'Who Do You Think You Are?', popular chef Manu Feildel discovers generations of culinary excellence in his mother's family and reconnects with his father in an emotional reunion.
#17 - Wayne Blair
Season 15 - Episode 4 - Aired 5/28/2024
Actor and director, Wayne Blair discovers his maternal Great Grandfather was one of the last survivors of the Woppaburra people from Queensland's Keppel Islands. And while searching for his paternal Great Grandfather, Wayne uncovers an extraordinary twist.
#18 - Kathy Lette
Season 15 - Episode 3 - Aired 5/21/2024
Chasing maverick characters across the globe, feminist author, Kathy Lette is thrilled to discover formidable females in Norway, and a resilient First Fleet convict who fought in one of the bloodiest battles of the American War of Independence.
#19 - Bruce McAvaney
Season 17 - Episode 1 - Aired 5/12/2026
Eager to explore the roots of his singular determination, acclaimed sports broadcaster Bruce McAvaney, discovers his paternal three-times great grandfather Samuel Crittenden Senior. Samuel emigrated from England to South Australia in 1838 and was instrumental in helping establish the new colony, becoming a respected landowner and a stalwart of the community.
#20 - Matthew Nable
Season 16 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/1/2025
Actor, director and writer, Matt Nable goes on an Australia-wide manhunt for an ancestor who deserted his wife and 14 kids. Looking into his Jewish heritage, Matt makes a shock discovery that will rewrite his whole family story.
#21 - Marc Fennell
Season 16 - Episode 7 - Aired 6/24/2025
Documentary filmmaker and TV presenter Marc Fennell travels to Singapore and Malaysia seeking to connect with his Indian ancestry and, in Ireland, he unearths a tale of forbidden lovers amidst the Irish War of Independence.
#22 - Camilla Franks
Season 16 - Episode 6 - Aired 6/17/2025
Travelling across the globe, kaftan queen Camilla Franks embraces a long-hidden cultural heritage, whilst on home turf she discovers a spirited matriarch whose eventful life resonates with her own.
#23 - Tom Gleeson
Season 16 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/10/2025
Hunting an elusive ancestor who changed the family's name, comedian Tom Gleeson comes face to face with convicts, murderers, thieves and a formidable woman.
#24 - Gina Chick
Season 16 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/3/2025
Author and adventurer Gina Chick sets out to find the identity of her biological grandfather and the source of her wild ways. Her investigation leads her to a story of extraordinary courage and resilience in the face of tragedy.
#25 - Patrick Brammall
Season 16 - Episode 2 - Aired 5/20/2025
Actor Patrick Brammall uncovers a long-held maternal family secret and is deeply impressed by his paternal great grandfather's public and private life.