Olivia Colman's changing looks over the years - from fresh-faced Peep Show star to Hollywood icon - as actress, 52, debuts long silver locks

She soared to fame as love interest Sophie on the Noughties sitcom, Peep Show. 

And in the years that have followed, Olivia Colman has undergone not just a complete overhaul but a physical transformation too. 

The Oscar-winning actress, 52, surprised fans this week when she debuted long silver hair on the red carpet of a Wicker screening. 

After a decade of sporting a brunette pixie cut, the mother-of-three embraced her greys and natural curls for the screening at Zurich Film Festival in Switzerland.

While her shorter locks may have become something of a trademark, Olivia has also switched up her look for roles while making the transition from sitcom star to Hollywood icon. 

Now the Daily Mail takes a look back at Olivia's transformation. 

16169221 Olivia Colman's changing looks over the years - from fresh-faced Peep Show star (pictured) to Hollywood icon - as actress, 52, debuts a bold new look

The Oscar-winning actress surprised fans this week when she debuted long silver hair on the red carpet of a Wicker screening

Olivia first gained recognition on Peep Show playing Sophie, the crush of David Mitchell's character, Mark. 

Mark was mesmerised by Sophie's beauty, remarking in one internal monologue: 'Oh God, she looks amazing. This really should not be allowed. 

'This is what men want and we shouldn't be allowed to have it because it's horrible and it makes you feel sick!' 

She made subtle changes to her character's appearance every series, either through curling or straightening her hair, or adding a fringe. 

Yet while she gained recognition with the comedy role it was her 2013 starring part in ITV's Broadchurch that made her a household name in the UK. 

She played DS Ellie Miller in the crime-drama, which remains one of ITV's most-watched series, and earned her the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress. 

Such was the popularity of the show that it even began to get noticed outside of the UK, with Olivia nominated for the International Emmy Award for Best Actress. 

She began the series with her natural short, curly hair and by season three it had grown out past her shoulders.

A year after Broadchurch wrapped Olivia landed the role that made her an international icon – playing Queen Anne in Yorgos Lanthimos' dark comedy, The Favourite.  

She gained about 2.5 stone (roughly 16kg) for the role, explaining: 'She was very big and he [Yorgos] wanted to see that on camera... and I didn't want to use prosthetics, so I spent a few months eating, which was enjoyable.' 

She also declared that she found playing dowdy Queen Anne freeing, confessing to the Independent: 'I wasn’t meant to look nice or be nice, and it was liberating and brilliant.'

'I find it more embarrassing to try to look good. I think I’ve been fortunate to be cast in these roles, because it’s very difficult for young women or men who are seen in one way, and then they are not allowed to age.'

Olivia first gained recognition on Noughties sitcom Peep Show playing Sophie, the crush of David Mitchell's character, Mark

She made subtle changes to her character's appearance every series, either through curling or straightening her hair, or adding a fringe

While she gained recognition with the comedy role it was her 2013 starring part in ITV's Broadchurch that made her a household name in the UK (pictured with David Tennant) 

Such was the popularity of the show that it even began to get noticed outside of the UK, with Olivia nominated for the International Emmy Award for Best Actress. She began the series with her natural short, curly hair and by season three it had grown out past her shoulders

Not so enjoyable was the process of losing the weight after filming, with Olivia telling Deadline in 2019: 'I know Yorgos isn't keen on make-up and prosthetics because you can sort of see it. I think it was a preference of Yorgos' and I don't mind doing it.

'I might not jump at the chance again. I'm in my mid-40s now and I was surprised how hard it was to lose afterwards.'

She said of the process: 'It became quite depressing. Because it goes on so easily but, gosh, it doesn't come off as easily.

'You don't sleep as well. You feel under-confident. Even though I was doing it for a reason, and it was fun to say "yes" to everything, I didn't feel quite as energetic with the kids and my knees hurt.'

To help her shift the excess weight before filming The Night Manager, Olivia began working with personal trainer to the stars, Dalton Wong.

'She wasn't the weight she naturally should be so wanted to get back to herself,' Dalton told Vogue. 'I took a balanced approach to her lifestyle and training. This meant that not only was she exercising but she was recovering properly and eating sustainably.'

In the lead up to the BAFTAs, Dalton told Harper's Bazaar that Olivia had been working out in his Kensington studio, Twenty Two Training, explaining: 'We trained two to three times a week focusing on posture, resistance training and also cardio.

'She also had soft-tissue work at least every week which helped improve her flexibility and reduce tension.'

Olivia said of her transformation: 'Dalton has changed the way I look at fitness and nutrition. 

'He's been an absolute rock to me and helped me change my body shape completely. He definitely delivers.'

Olivia has also confessed to using Botox to keep her looking youthful. 

'Oh, I've had loads,' she said of her Botox routine during a 2024 appearance on Radio 2. When host Vernon Kay then asked if it hurt, Olivia exclaimed: 'Yeah, it's needles in your face!' 

A year after Broadchurch wrapped Olivia landed the role that made her an international icon – playing Queen Anne in The Favourite, but she had to gain 2.5 stone for the role 

Not so enjoyable was the process of losing the weight after filming, with Olivia enlisting a personal trainer to help (pictured at the 2019 Academy Awards) 

Olivia is on the promo trail for Wicker, where she stars as an ostracised fisherwoman who commissions a local basketmaker to create her a husband (Alexander Skarsgard) from wicker 

Now Olivia has been proudly showing off her new silver locks while on the promo tour for Wicker – which has left many scratching their heads over its bizarre concept. 

Described as ‘vulgar, horny yet unexpectedly heartwarming’, Wicker follows Olivia’s character as the lonely Fisherwoman whose love life is hampered by her constant fishy odour. 

Desperate for affection, she commissions the local basket weaver – played by Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage – to fashion her a husband out of wicker.

The creation, played by Alexander Skarsgard, comes to life and proves so alluring that it sparks fierce jealousy among the village’s women, threatening to disrupt the social order.

The first trailer was released to much fanfare in July, with viewers in shock at the graphic scenes between Olivia and Alexander.